Jackson startd out as a gospel singer in The Raspberry Singers. He was in the Dell-Vikings from 1957 to 1959.
After recording as Charles Jackson for the Clock label in 1959 he signed with Wand Records in 1961. He was immediately successful with his first single I Don't Want To Cry which reached No. 5 R&B, No. 36 Pop in the USA. He was with Wand through most of the sixties, scoring several R&B and Pop hits. In 1969 he moved to Motown but didn't do so well there. He continued to record throughout the seventies for labels like ABC, All Platinum and EMI America, scoring his last R&B hit in 1980.
Although never hugely successful his soulful voice resulted in 23 R&B top 100 singles in the USA and the same number of US Pop 100 hits over the course of 20 years.
Several of Jackson's songs later became hits for other artists including Ronnie Milsap, whose 1982 cover version of "Any Day Now" reached No. 1 on the Country and Adult Contemporary charts. Michael McDonald covered "I Keep Forgettin'" with much success. "I Keep Forgettin'" was also covered by David Bowie on his album "Tonight".
On 4 October 2015, Chuck Jackson was inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame.
Shame On Me
Chuck Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What can I say, darling
What can I do
Last night, I was blind
But today, I see
I did you wrong
I did you wrongShame on me
You say you won't be seeing me again
You say we're through
Well, darling, I wouldn't wanna
See the sunrise tomorrow
If I knew that to be true
I know that just saying I'm sorry
Doesn't sound like a lot
But the girl you saw me with last night
Meant no more to me than the
Thousand stars and the great clouds above
And the more I looked at her
The more I realized
How much I loved you
Shame on me for hurting you
What can I say, what can I do
I'll admit, I shouldn't have
Given in to love's wild temptations
With something I care nothing for
But, darling, I was blind and I hurt you
Can you ever forgive a fool
Last night, I was blind
But today, I see
I did you wrong
I did you wrong
Shame on me
Oh, darling, darling
I did you wrong (shame)
I did you wrong (shame)
Shame on me
Spite me but, baby, don't leave me
I did you wrong (shame)
I did you wrong (shame)
Shame on me
I need you, baby, please...
In Chuck Jackson's "Shame on Me," the singer is speaking to his lover after cheating on her. He admits that he did wrong and that he was blind to what he had in front of him. The singer pleads with his lover not to leave him, admitting his guilt and expressing his love for her.
The first stanza of the song begins with the singer acknowledging his mistake of hurting his lover. He questions what he can say or do to make things right. In the second stanza, he reveals that his lover has decided to end things between them, and he tries to convince her otherwise, stating that he wouldn't want to see the sunrise if they are truly through.
The third and fourth stanzas seemingly contradict each other. The singer apologizes for his transgression, but then says that the girl he cheated with meant nothing to him. However, after looking at her, he realized how much he loved his lover. In the fifth stanza, he admits that he was a fool to give in to the temptation of love and begs for forgiveness.
Despite admitting to his mistake, the singer concludes the song by pleading with his lover not to leave him. He repeats the chorus, emphasizing the shame he feels for his actions and his love for his lover.
Line by Line Meaning
Shame on me for hurting you
I feel remorseful and guilty for causing you emotional pain and distress
What can I say, darling
I am at a loss for words and do not know how to express my regret and remorse
What can I do
I want to make amends and do whatever it takes to make things right between us
Last night, I was blind
I was acting foolishly and recklessly without considering the consequences of my actions
But today, I see
I have come to realize the magnitude of my mistake and I am willing to take responsibility for my actions
I did you wrong
I acknowledge that I have caused you harm, pain, and disappointment
You say you won't be seeing me again
You have made it clear that you do not want to have any further contact or relationship with me
You say we're through
You have decided to end our relationship and move on without me
Well, darling, I wouldn't wanna
I cannot imagine living without you, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to keep you in my life
See the sunrise tomorrow
I would rather not wake up and face another day without you in my life
If I knew that to be true
If it were certain that you were leaving me for good, I would not want to live
I know that just saying I'm sorry
I am aware that a mere apology is not enough to make up for my wrongdoing
Doesn't sound like a lot
I realize that expressing regret is not enough and that I need to take concrete steps to make things right between us
But the girl you saw me with last night
I admit that my behavior was disrespectful and hurtful to you
Meant no more to me than the
I have no emotional attachment or connection to the other woman
Thousand stars and the great clouds above
The other woman's presence in my life does not compare to the love and devotion I have for you
And the more I looked at her
As I spent time with the other woman, I realized how much I truly love and value you
The more I realized
I came to appreciate the depth and significance of our relationship and how important you are to me
How much I loved you
I realized that I am truly in love with you and that losing you is my worst fear
I'll admit, I shouldn't have
I take full responsibility for my actions and I am willing to admit my mistake
Given in to love's wild temptations
I was swept away by my passion and desire, and I lost control of my actions
With something I care nothing for
The other woman was not important or meaningful to me, and I betrayed you for no good reason
But, darling, I was blind and I hurt you
I was foolish and careless, and I caused you a great deal of pain and suffering
Can you ever forgive a fool
I humbly ask for your forgiveness and I promise to never betray your trust again
A fool that really loves you
Despite my foolishness, my love for you is genuine and sincere
Oh, darling, darling
I am deeply in love with you and I cannot imagine life without you
Spite me but, baby, don't leave me
I understand if you are angry with me, but I beg of you not to abandon me
I need you, baby, please
I cannot live without you and I am desperate to make things right between us
Contributed by Kayla K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bobjlv
Found this on an old radio survey. I had never heard this by Chuck Jackson. Bobby Bare had a huge it with this.
@rickrock51
On CKLW's (Windsor -- basically a nearby chum of CHUM!) Top 100 Hits of 1967, Shame on Me was #75. By the way, if you wish to purchase the greatest book on the first 3 decades of Rock & Roll, "A Quizzical Look At the Rock Era" is the bomb.
Rick Rock Roeder