Chuck Jackson (born Charles Jackson in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on 22… Read Full Bio ↴Chuck Jackson (born Charles Jackson in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on 22 July 1937; died 16 February 2023) was an American soul and r 'n' b singer who was one of the first artists to have success with material by Burt Bacharach and Hal David and whose hits included "I Don't Want to Cry", "Any Day Now", "I Keep Forgettin'", and "All Over the World". On 4 October 2015, Chuck Jackson was inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame.

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.

Somebody New
Chuck Jackson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

The only way I know how
To tell you that we're through
Is to explain the whole hearted
Truth to you

I've found somebody new
Somebody fine and brand new
And no, no, no, no longer

Am I love in with you

Listen, she's got pretty lips
Flashy eyes
She's telling me sweet things
While you've been telling me lies
Mama, we're through

But it's all right, oh, oh

Yes, I've got somebody new, yeah
Somebody fine and brand new
And no, no, no, no longer
Am I love in with you

Listen, she treats me good
She treats me right
She give me good loving
Morning, noon and night
Baby, we're through

But it's all right

I'm talking about somebody new
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Somebody fine and brand new

It was in my mind, baby
And I had to tell you
That we were through

But, oh, oh, you understand
Don't you, baby, it's all right

Overall Meaning

In Chuck Jackson's Somebody New, the singer reveals to his current lover that he has found someone new and that their relationship is over. He explains that he is no longer in love with her and that he has been won over by the new girl's beauty and affection. He compares the two women, pointing out the lies told by his former partner and the sweet words spoken by his new love interest. Despite the breakup, the singer insists that everything is alright and that he knew he had to be honest with his former partner.

The lyrics of Somebody New are strikingly honest and straightforward, with the singer not sugarcoating his feelings or intentions. He is clear about his new relationship, his lack of love for his former partner and his reasons for ending things. The song's groove is catchy and upbeat, with a rhythmic piano and guitar providing a backdrop for some impressive vocal work by Jackson.

Line by Line Meaning

The only way I know how To tell you that we're through Is to explain the whole hearted Truth to you
I have to be honest with you and tell you the truth, and that's the only way I know how to let you know that our relationship is over.

I've found somebody new Somebody fine and brand new And no, no, no, no longer Am I love in with you
I have met someone else, a new woman who is amazing, and I am no longer in love with you.

Listen, she's got pretty lips Flashy eyes She's telling me sweet things While you've been telling me lies Mama, we're through
The new woman I met is beautiful and sweet, and unlike you, she does not lie. I am breaking up with you, mama.

But it's all right, oh, oh Yes, I've got somebody new, yeah Somebody fine and brand new And no, no, no, no longer Am I love in with you
Although it may seem hard for you, I am doing fine because I have found somebody new who is perfect for me, and we are no longer in love.

Listen, she treats me good She treats me right She give me good loving Morning, noon and night Baby, we're through
The new woman I met not only is beautiful and tells me sweet things, but also treats me right and satisfies me at all times. Thus, I am dumping you.

But it's all right I'm talking about somebody new Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Somebody fine and brand new
Even though I am breaking up with you, I am excited to be with somebody new who is amazing and perfect for me.

It was in my mind, baby And I had to tell you That we were through But, oh, oh, you understand Don't you, baby, it's all right
I made up my mind that our relationship was over, and as hard as it may be for both of us, I had to let you know. However, I hope you understand and everything will be fine.

Contributed by Carson P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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