The backing track for "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" was recorded on 6 July 1967 at Columbia's studios in Chicago. Produced by Carl Davis, the session - arranged by Sonny Sanders - featured bassist James Jamerson, drummer Richard "Pistol" Allen, guitarist Robert White, and keyboardist Johnny Griffith; these four musicians were all members of the Motown Records house band the Funk Brothers who often moonlighted on sessions for Davis to augment the meager wages paid by Motown. According to Carl Davis the Funk Brothers "used to come over on the weekends from Detroit. Theyβd load up in the van and come over to Chicago, and I would pay βem double scale, and Iβd pay βem in cash." Similarly two of Motown's house session singers the Andantes: Jackie Hicks and Marlene Barrow along with Pat Lewis, performed on the session for "...Higher and Higher".
Davis brought the track to New York City for Wilson to add his vocal; Davis recalls Wilson originally sang the song "like a soul ballad. I said that's totally wrong. You have to jump and go with the percussion...if he didn't want to sing it that way, I would put my voice on the record and sell millions". After hearing Davis' advisement Wilson cut the lead vocal for "...Higher and Higher" in a single take. [1]
The original songwriting credit for "...Higher and Higher" was to Gary Jackson and Carl Smith who'd previously been house songwriters at Chess Records. When "...Higher and Higher" reached the Top Ten, Chess songwriters Billy Davis and Raynard Miner sued claiming the song as their composition which Jackson or Smith had appropriated from Miner's briefcase while at Chess Records; Davis and Miner alleged Jackson and Smith had slightly amended the lyrics and then presented "...Higher and Higher" to Davis as their own work. Davis and Miner were awarded eighty percent of the songwriting royalties with Jackson and Smith retaining twenty percent.
Released in August 1967, "...Higher and Higher" reached #1 R&B and in November peaked on the Pop charts at #6.[2]
In the UK Wilson's "...Higher and Higher" would be a hit in both 1969 (#11) and 1987 (#3).[3] and in 1987 (#15).
The single's sales have been estimated as high as four million.
Brunswick released a Higher and Higher album in November 1967: its chart peak was #163 (#28 R&B). [4]
The track was ranked #246 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.
Higher and Higher
Jackie Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Than I've ever been lifted before
So keep it it up
Quench my desire
And I'll be at your side, forever more
You know your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on lifting (love keeps lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
I said your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on (love keeps lifting me)
Lifting me (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
Listen
Now once, I was down-hearted
Disappointment, was my closest friend
But then you, came and it soon departed
And you know he never
Showed his face again
That's why your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on lifting (love keeps lifting me)
Higher (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
I said your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on (love keeps lifting me)
Lifting me (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
Alright
I'm so glad, I've finally found you
Yes that one, in a million girls
And I whip, my loving arms around you, honey
I can stand up, and face the world
Let me tell ya, your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on lifting (love keeps lifting me)
Higher (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
I said your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on (love keeps lifting me)
Lifting me (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
Now sock it to me
Hold me, you're my woman
Keep my love going
Higher and higher
I said keep on lifting
Lift me up mama
The song "Higher and Higher" by Jackie Wilson is a classic example of the upbeat and soulful music that emerged during the 1960s. The song is about the power of love and how it can lift a person up to higher levels of happiness and joy. The lyrics speak about the ways in which love can motivate a person and inspire them to be their best selves, and how it can heal any emotional wounds that they may be carrying.
The first verse of the song speaks about the transformative power of love, stating that love can lift a person higher than they have ever been lifted before. The chorus repeats this sentiment over and over, with the words "higher and higher" serving as a mantra for the power of love. The second verse tells a story of a person who was once downhearted and disappointed, but who found love and was able to rise above their troubles. The final verse thanks the person who brought the love into the singer's life, and pledges to remain by their side forever.
Overall, the song has an infectious beat that makes it almost impossible not to tap your toes or dance along. Its message of love and positivity is sure to put a smile on anyone's face and leave them feeling uplifted.
Line by Line Meaning
Your love, lifting me higher
Your love is taking me to new heights
Than I've ever been lifted before
I have never felt this way before
So keep it it up
Please continue to love me in this way
Quench my desire
Satisfy my yearning for your love
And I'll be at your side, forever more
I will always be by your side if you keep loving me
You know your love (your love keeps lifting me)
I am aware of the effect your love has on me
Keep on lifting (love keeps lifting me)
Please continue to love me this way
Higher (lifting me)
Taking me to new heights
Higher and higher (higher)
Continuously taking me to new and greater heights
Listen
Pay attention to what I am saying next
Now once, I was down-hearted
I used to be depressed and unhappy
Disappointment, was my closest friend
I was surrounded by feelings of failure and frustration
But then you, came and it soon departed
But then you came into my life and those feelings disappeared
And you know he never
Those feelings of disappointment
Showed his face again
Never returned thanks to your love
I'm so glad, I've finally found you
I'm grateful that I found you and your love
Yes that one, in a million girls
You are truly special and rare
And I whip, my loving arms around you, honey
I wrap my arms around you tightly and show my love
I can stand up, and face the world
Thanks to your love, I am confident to face anything
Let me tell ya, your love (your love keeps lifting me)
I want to emphasize the effect your love has on me
Alright
Okay, I understand
Now sock it to me
Give it to me, keep loving me this way
Hold me, you're my woman
Please hold me, you are the only one for me
Keep my love going
Please continue to love me in this way
Higher and higher
Continuously take me to new heights
I said keep on lifting
Please don't stop loving me this way
Lift me up mama
Please continue to lift me up with your love
Lyrics Β© Tratore, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Carl Smith, Gary Jackson, Raynard Miner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joseignaciotrejomontes6227
Your love, lifting me higher
Than I've ever been lifted before
So keep it it up
Quench my desire
And I'll be at your side, forever more
You know your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on lifting (love keeps lifting me)
Higher (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
I said your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on (love keeps lifting me)
Lifting me (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
Listen
Now once, I was down-hearted
Disappointment, was my closest friend
But then you, came and it soon departed
And you know he never
Showed his face again
That's why your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on lifting (love keeps lifting me)
Higher (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
I said your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on (love keeps lifting me)
Lifting me (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
Alright
I'm so glad, I've finally found you
Yes that one, in a million girls
And I whip, my loving arms around you, honey
I can stand up, and face the world
Let me tell ya, your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on lifting (love keeps lifting me)
Higher (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
I said your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on (love keeps lifting me)
Lifting me (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
Now sock it to me
Hold me, you're my woman
Keep my love going
Higher and higher
I said keep on lifting
Lift me up mama
@martinanderson1995
Two heart attacks, diabetic, dodgy kidneys, prostate and bladder troubles for 13 years, plus continuous perineum pain also. I am all alone but this song has really lifted me tonight as i am dancin man am i dancin, with a beautiful woman in mind. Thank goodness i still have that. π
@kathrynrocha9948
Sorry you are having health issuesβ¦. Hope you get more good days and less bad days
@martinanderson1995
@@kathrynrocha9948 thank you for your kindness. π
@nmw6674
Keep going brother... I'm with ya.
@travelispassionromania1994
Get better and God heal ya. Admire your fighting spirit
@nathanieldaiken1064
I want to give you one million likes for your courage and perseverance!
@ashleywilliams5840
My grandpaβs favorite song. He doesnβt remember much but anytime I play this song he smiles and moves his arms as much he can π
@luismrtz5203
God bless real good music never leaves our minds & heartsππΌ
@mikejunge5797
Blessed ur grandpa... That Soul IS great
@ronbelanger4113
Sweet, enjoy the time you have left with him!