Wilson joined Motown Records in 1965, working with Brenda Holloway. He went on to write and produce hit records for Brenda Holloway, The Supremes, The Four Tops, Eddie Kendricks, and more. Wilson also tried his hand at being a recording artist himself, recording the single “Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)" for release on the Motown subsidiary label 'Soul.' Supposedly 250 demo 45s were pressed, but by that time Frank Wilson decided he would rather focus on producing and had the demos trashed. Somehow at least two known copies survived, one of which fetched £15,000 (aprox. $28,000.00). Legendary Northern Soul DJ Russ Winstanly tracked down the single and a was able to secure a copy. He 'covered' the track as 'Do I love you' by Eddie Foster and it became the most loved and requested song on the scene. At the final 'all nighter' at Wigan Casino, Winstanly broke with tradition by making it the final song to be played there. Because of the scarcity of the original single and the high quality of the music, it has been championed as one of the rarest and most valuable records in history (along with other "impossible to find" records by such acts as Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong, and the Five Sharps).
Wilson left Motown in 1976 and became a born-again Christian. He became a minister, traveling and writing books with his wife Bunny Wilson, and was also involved in the production of gospel music as well. He died on 27th September 2012 aged 67.
Do I Love You?
Frank Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I lay my heart down at your feet
Now do I love you
All you have to do is ask
I'll give until there's nothing left
do I love you
Your happiness is guaranteed
I'll fill your heart with ecstasy, forever darling
Do I love you?
Do I love you?
Do I love you?
Indeed I do Indeed I do
The very thing that I want most
Is just to have and hold you close
Do I love you?
From early morning until late at night
You fill my heart with pure delight
Do I love you?
whenever I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord your soul to keep
And bring you home safe to me, for ever darling
Do I love you?
Do I love you?
Do I love you?
Indeed I do, sweet darling, indeed I do
Now whenever I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord your soul to keep
And bring you home safe to me
for ever darling
Do I love you?
Do I love you?
Do I love you?
Indeed I do, little darling, indeed I do
The lyrics to Frank Wilson's "Do I Love You?" is a declaration of love and devotion. Wilson sings from a vulnerable place on bended knees, laying his heart down at the feet of his beloved. The repetition of the phrase "do I love you" is not a question but rather an affirmation of his love. He promises to give everything he has to his partner, ensuring their happiness is guaranteed. Furthermore, he pledges to fill his partner's heart with ecstasy, a grand promise that indicates the depth and intensity of his love. Wilson conveys the message that his love is unwavering and unrelenting, from early in the morning until late at night, and even when he is praying to the Lord to keep his partner safe. He is willing to go to great lengths to prove his love, and the answer to the question "Do I love you?" is always "Indeed I do, sweet darling, indeed I do."
The lyrics in this song are a fitting representation of the motivation and inspiration behind Wilson's music career. As a young boy, Wilson had a love of music and was an ardent fan of Motown. His passion lent itself to a career in music, first as a songwriter and later as a record producer. Wilson is best known for his work at Motown Records where he wrote and produced for many of the company's superstar acts, including the Supremes and Marvin Gaye. He was an indispensable part of the label's early success.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I am on bended knees
I am in a humble position with my heart open and vulnerable to declare my love for you.
I lay my heart down at your feet
I offer you my love unconditionally, and I am willing to sacrifice myself for your happiness.
Now do I love you
I ask you to recognize the depth of my love and understand how much you mean to me.
All you have to do is ask
I am willing to give everything that I have, as long as you acknowledge my love for you and ask for it.
I'll give until there's nothing left
I will continue to pour my love and devotion to you as long as I am capable of doing so.
As long as there is life in me
For as long as I am living, I ensure your happiness is guaranteed.
Your happiness is guaranteed
I will go out of my way to ensure that you are content and satisfied, even if it means putting your needs before mine.
I'll fill your heart with ecstasy, forever darling
I will bring joy and pleasure to your life, always with a devoted and affectionate heart.
Do I love you?
I repeat my question, so you truly understand how much you mean to me.
Indeed I do Indeed I do
I emphatically declare my love is true and that you hold a special place in my heart.
The very thing that I want most
What I desire above all is to hold you close and cherish every moment with you.
Is just to have and hold you close
I want to share a profound closeness with you, to feel your love and hold you as tightly as possible.
From early morning until late at night
Every moment with you, from dawn to dusk, brings me great joy and fulfillment.
You fill my heart with pure delight
Your presence has a profound impact on my well-being, and I relish every moment we spend together.
Whenever I lay me down to sleep
Even when I dream, my thoughts are with you and my love for you is always present.
I pray the Lord your soul to keep
In my prayers to God, I ask that you are safe and blessed, so that you may continue to bring happiness to my life.
And bring you home safe to me, for ever darling
I yearn for your safe return and eagerly wait for your presence, for your companionship is endlessly precious to me.
Indeed I do, sweet darling, indeed I do
I repeat my affirmation of love and assure you that my devotion is unwavering, and my heart belongs to you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FRANK EDWARD WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@willf.5608
I grew up in Washington, DC in the sixties and the Motown sound was the soundtrack of my life. But this song never got any airplay to my recollection. I only became familiar with Frank Wilson because of his later work with Eddie Kendricks of the Temptations.
I must say that reading the comments about this song, it's meaning to folks and the Northern Soul nation has really touched me. The sincere and heartfelt emotions expressed by people has reminded me of the universal power that music has on all of us beyond just the notes and chord progressions..I now wish I could have crossed the pond and experienced the NS scene in person !!!.
In the words of the group Kool & the Gang:
" Music is the message that sings
Universal love for one and all
A message for all seasons
Winter, summer, spring and fall....
There's a message in the music
That will bring you peace of mind
So peace be with you, people
In these troubled times.. "
May God Bless you all and may Frank Wilson R.I.P. 🙏🏼🎼🙏🏼
@annegurney5166
It's just impossible not to dance to this classic. A great fave of Paul O' Grady apparently - he made people feel happy, as does virtually any Northern Soul music. Long live Northern Soul! Keep The Faith 😊
@dolphinteamdevelopment5525
And big love to Paul O'Grady. Gone way too soon. Such a sad moment.
@jackjones1432
This was my old mans funeral song and I love this song I listen to it everyday, love and miss my dad Xx
@tommyhouston899
Cracking tribute to you're dad pal👍👍 ktf
@janbrowitt9836
God bless you
@DylxnWrld
Your dad had style ....Bless him.
@Suck3rpunch90
Same it was my dads funeral song too ❤️
@hellopeggy6428
My mum and dad's fave song too, always dancing too it x
@dolphinteamdevelopment5525
I've been dancing round the block for 40 minutes every night to this during lockdown. It brings me so much joy in truly horrible times. I've also built a following of neighbours dancing from their living rooms (mainly kids). Do I love this song? Indeed I do! XXX
@markbishoprick8526
Great song!!!