Wilson's solo career begin with 1957's "Reet Petite", written by the then unknown Berry Gordy, Jr. and recorded on the Brunswick Records label with whom Wilson would remain throughout his career. He had his first top 40 hit in 1958 with "To Be Loved". At the end of that year he had his first big success with "Lonely Teardrops" that went to #7 on the charts. The song, also written by Berry Gordy, Jr. became his signature tune. That same year saw Wilson release his first LP titled He's So Fine.
Wilson's brand of pop-soul and R&B helped him cross over to the mainstream, having several pop hits. His dynamic stage performances earned him the nickname "Mr. Excitement". His performance of "Lonely Teardrops" on the Ed Sullivan Show is considered one of its classics. In the 1960s, Wilson continued to record singles, many of them operatic, such as "Danny Boy" or "Night", others were up-tempo and exciting, such as "Baby Workout" in 1963. Although married to Frida Hood since 1951, Wilson was a notorious womanizer and was shot and wounded by one of his alleged lovers, Juanita Jones, on February 15 1961 in a jealous rage as he returned to his apartment with another woman, fashion model Harlean Harris, an ex-girlfriend of singer Sam Cooke. As a married man conducting extra-marital affairs, his management decided, as a way not to damage his career, to concoct a story that Jones was an obsessed fan who threatened to shoot herself, and that Wilson's intervention concluded in him being shot. Astonishingly, the story was accepted, and no charges were brought against Juanita Jones. He was divorced from Frida in 1965, and married Harlean Harris from 1967 until his death in 1984.
His career began to suffer in the mid-60s, though he managed a brief revival by collaborating with Carl Davis, a legendary Chicago producer. This resulted in two hits, "Whispers" and "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher". The revival was short-lived, though, and Wilson rarely charted in the 1970s. Wilson suffered a massive heart attack while playing a Dick Clark show at the Latin Casino in New Jersey on September 29, 1975, falling head-first to the stage; he was singing "Lonely Teardrops". A comatose Wilson lived in a hospital until his death in 1984 at age 49. His medical costs were paid for by Dick Clark. In 1985, successful soul/funk band The Commodores, recorded "Nightshift" which was a song in memory of Wilson, as well as soul singer Marvin Gaye, who died in the same year as Wilson.
Van Morrison also recorded a tribute song called "Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile)" on his 1972 hit album Saint Dominic's Preview. This song was later covered by Dexy's Midnight Runners. When the track was performed on the British TV show Top of the Pops, a picture of Wilson was intended to be used in the background - but an intentional joke by the band and the production staff meant that a picture of darts player Jocky Wilson was used instead. Wilson is mentioned in the rap song "thugs mansion" Tupac and Nas. The exact quote is, "Seen a show with Marvin Gaye last night, it had me shook Drinkinn peppermint Schnapps, with Jackie Wilson, and Sam Cooke".
Wilson scored a posthumous hit when "Reet Petite" reached number one in the United Kingdom in 1986. The following year,he also hit the UK charts again with "I Get The Sweetest Feeling"(No.3), and "Higher and Higher"(No.11). He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987; that same year, he was portrayed in the Richie Valens biopic La Bamba by Howard Huntsberry.
Wilson is interred in the Westlawn Cemetery in Wayne, Michigan.
A Woman a Lover a Friend
Jackie Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somebody to love me and understand
I want a woman (woman)
I want a lover (a lover)
I want a friend (a woman, a lover, a friend)
Mmm, I want somebody to share my love
Yes, loving is something I've got plenty of
I want a lover (a lover)
I want a friend (a woman, a lover, a friend) ah-ahh
I don't want a fancy gal
With powder and paint
And I don't want a woman
Who thinks she's a saint
I'm looking for someone
Who's not make-believe
And doesn't mind giving so that she may receive
There must be somebody somewhere around
That's looking for someone to give pound for pound
I want me a woman (woman)
Mmm, I want a lover (a lover)
I want a friend (a woman, a lover, a friend)
Yeah I want her right now
I want my little girl anyway, I want her anyhow
Please come on, baby
Just be my little woman, be my lover
The lyrics to Jackie Wilson's "A Woman a Lover a Friend" express the desire for a deeper connection with someone. The singer is looking for a woman who will not only be his lover but also his friend, someone who will understand him and his needs. He doesn't want a superficial relationship with a woman who's only interested in her looks or who has a holier-than-thou attitude. Instead, he's searching for a woman who's genuine and willing to reciprocate his love.
The song's lyrics are simple yet powerful in their message. The use of repetition in the chorus emphasizes the importance of having a partner who can fulfill multiple roles in one's life. The desire for intimacy and emotional connection is evident throughout the song, with lines like "I want somebody to hold my hand," and "I want somebody to share my love."
Overall, the lyrics to "A Woman a Lover a Friend" convey the message that love is more than just physical attraction. It's about finding someone who can be a true companion in every sense of the word.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, I want somebody to hold my hand
I desire someone who will provide emotional support and comfort by holding my hand.
Somebody to love me and understand
I need someone who will love me unconditionally and try to understand me.
I want a woman (woman)
I want a female partner who can fulfill my romantic and emotional needs.
I want a lover (a lover)
I'm looking for a sexual partner who can fulfill my physical needs.
I want a friend (a woman, a lover, a friend)
I want someone who is not only my romantic partner but also my friend and confidante - someone I can trust completely.
Mmm, I want somebody to share my love
I want a partner who will reciprocate my love and share the joy of loving.
Yes, loving is something I've got plenty of
I have an abundance of love to give to someone.
I don't want a fancy gal
With powder and paint
I am not interested in someone who focuses only on their cosmetics and appearance.
And I don't want a woman
Who thinks she's a saint
I am not interested in someone who is too self-righteous or holier-than-thou.
I'm looking for someone
Who's not make-believe
I want someone who is genuine and authentic, not fake or pretend.
And doesn't mind giving so that she may receive
I want someone who is not selfish and is willing to give as much as she takes.
There must be somebody somewhere around
That's looking for someone to give pound for pound
I believe that there is someone who wants an equal and reciprocal relationship like I do.
I want me a woman (woman)
Mmm, I want a lover (a lover)
I want a friend (a woman, a lover, a friend)
I am emphasizing that I desire a female partner who can fulfill all of my romantic, physical, and emotional needs.
Yeah I want her right now
I want my little girl anyway, I want her anyhow
Please come on, baby
Just be my little woman, be my lover
I am expressing my urgent desire for a female partner and asking that someone come into my life and fulfill all my needs as a loving partner.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SID WYCHE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jeffdawson2786
What a powerful and disciplined vocal display. Jackie was top-drawer. 🎶
@DJ--ALLDAY
It's 2019 and THIS IS WHAT ICONIC MUSIC sounds like...
@mitchellsnider6633
What a song, I have to be honest, I didn’t know about Jackie Wilson. He is absolutely amazing and this song is so real, honest, and you can feel his passion. I’m gonna learn more about him and thank The Watchman for bringing me here! 😊
@azfault44
48 years old, but been a fan my whole life, thanks to dad's record collection. I was excited to hear "Mr. Excitement" close out tonight's episode of watchmen. Jackie Wilson was the man!
@CB-ce6wt
My mom was very strike allowed me to go see Jackie Wilson at age 15. He was too fine. What a show in B'ham, Al. I'm so blessed to still be alive at age 73. RIP JACKIE!!
@JustinBaptiz
That’s amazing! Bobby Wilson (Jackie Wilson’s son) is an amazing artist!
@azfault44
I'm only 48, and jealous you got to see him live. The few videos I've seen document a fantastic performer.
@hungsol9814
@Patrick Southern Agree with you 100% Anyone who got to see JW live is blessed beyond measure!
@rudbeckie1
*****!!!! Nádherný...prima song! Krásně se poslouchá - melodie, hlas, emoce. Moc se mi to líbí...děkuji za sdílení! Zážitek!
@nancydonarm5367
I love this song and what a voice saw him on Ed Sullivan show, it's such a classic