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.
Because of You
Jackie Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You pushed back my clouds of sorrow
You're my sun at the end of the rain
'Cause when I was down and out, just like a mother you took me in (sweet baby)
And now without a doubt honey we'll make love lovin' friends
'Cause we've got love on our side, we're gonna let love be our guide and it's all because of you
Sweet baby, every little thing I do I owe all to you
Everyday is a new day since you came into my life
'Cause you've opened the door to happiness and I've got to make you my wife
'Cause I was lost and going in circles when you found me, oh yes you found me
You sheltered me and you loved me then you built your whole world around me
And we've got love on our side, we're gonna let love be our guide and it's all because of you
Sweet baby, every little thing I do I owe all to you
I'm a brand new man, oh yes I am, because of you... (because of you)
Oh baby... Sweet baby... He-he-he-he
Girl, I remember when we first met, you lit a fire in this old heart of mine
You put together all my dreams that were once shattered and torn apart
You've gotta be what I needed, 'cause you made a brand new man out of me (sweet baby)
You lifted loneliness from my shoulders and boy how happy you made me
'Cause we've got love on our side, we're gonna let love be our guide and it's all because of you
Sweet baby, every little thing I do I owe all to you
I'm a brand new man, oh yes I am, because of you... (because of you)
Baby, baby, baby I've got a brand new style (because of you)
And I've got a brand new smile (because of you), (because of you) I got a brand love and a brand new toy (because of you).
I've got a brand new style (because of you)
And I've got a brand new smile (because of you), (because of you) I got a brand love and a brand new toy (because of you)
The lyrics of Jackie Wilson's song "Because of You" express how meeting his partner has transformed the singer's life. The opening lines refer to his life being rearranged and his clouds of sorrow being lifted. His partner has become a guiding light, giving him hope during dark times, and has taken care of him like a mother figure. The singer is now confident that they will have a happy and loving future together. The chorus emphasises the importance of love in their relationship, and the singer acknowledges that every good thing in his life is owed to his partner.
The second verse describes how his partner has brought happiness into his life and how he wants to marry her. He was lost and directionless before meeting her, but she changed everything for him. In the third verse, the singer reminisces about the beginning of their relationship and how his partner lit a fire in his heart. She has made him into a better person and has removed the loneliness from his life. The final chorus repeats the theme of love being their guiding force and ends with the singer listing all the positive changes in his life, from his style to his mood.
Overall, "Because of You" is a song about finding love and how it can change a person's life for the better. It celebrates the transformative power of love, and the gratitude we feel towards those who bring joy into our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Darling since I met you, my whole life has been rearranged
My life has completely transformed since the day I met you.
You pushed back my clouds of sorrow
You eliminated all the sadness and depression from my life.
You're my sun at the end of the rain
You are the ray of hope that emerges after a difficult phase.
'Cause when I was down and out, just like a mother you took me in (sweet baby)
When I was struggling, you came to my aid and took care of me like a loving mother.
And now without a doubt honey we'll make love lovin' friends
Now that we're together, we'll have a great physical and emotional relationship.
'Cause we've got love on our side, we're gonna let love be our guide and it's all because of you
We have love and with your guidance, we will go a long way in our relationship.
Sweet baby, every little thing I do I owe all to you
I'm indebted to you for every little support and love you've given me.
I'm a brand new man, oh yes I am, because of you... (because of you)
I've transformed into a new person, all thanks to you.
Everyday is a new day since you came into my life
You've brought freshness and positivity into my life.
'Cause you've opened the door to happiness and I've got to make you my wife
You've showed me what true happiness is and I know I want to spend my life with you.
You sheltered me and you loved me then you built your whole world around me
You gave me love and protection, and made me the center of your universe.
Oh baby... Sweet baby... He-he-he-he
Expressing affection and love for the partner playfully.
Girl, I remember when we first met, you lit a fire in this old heart of mine
I still remember the day we met and how you made my heart race with excitement and affection.
You put together all my dreams that were once shattered and torn apart
You motivated me and helped me fulfill all my broken dreams.
You've gotta be what I needed, 'cause you made a brand new man out of me (sweet baby)
I truly needed someone like you in my life, as you transformed me into a better person.
You lifted loneliness from my shoulders and boy how happy you made me
You single-handedly drove away all my feelings of loneliness and gave me immense happiness.
Baby, baby, baby I've got a brand new style (because of you)
I've adopted a new approach to life and style, and it's all because of you.
And I've got a brand new smile (because of you), (because of you) I got a brand love and a brand new toy (because of you).
I have a new outlook towards life and a lot of new things, all because of you.
Writer(s): Edward Little, Jeffrey Perry
Contributed by Sarah T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@NorthernsoulBoy63
Possibly One of the best songs ever. DAVID FROM SCOTLAND
@nsarjeant
And 43 people decided to click on 'dislike' because...??? This is an absolute peach of a tune, it STILL give me goosebumps. It keeps on giving; great sentiment, awesome delivery... just bloody perfect.
@MillieG12
others
@michaelsinski8997
The 170 poor lost souls who put their thumbs down are either tone deaf or worst still, they have not got a soul.😪😪😪😪😪
@michaelsinski8997
Totally agree, l could not have put it any better myself.
It is because of you, Jackie Wilson, that l love Northern Soul so much.
@Gazoor2004
and I was the ONLY guy in the school in flared pants late '77'78.. cos allt t'others liked Gary Numan and Punk!... and -:)
@MegaTightMike
This record is stupendous.
@soulcarrot
I never found this gem until a year ago or so, my dad god rest him, had a early 70's greatest hits album which i grew up with, so i feel i grew up with jackie wilson, what a lucky lad i was.
@soulmaniac13
This is truely an amazing track from Jackie Wilson, always packs the floor where ever it`s played.
@MrRonnieG
I started listening to contemporary popular music, 24/7, after mom & dad bought me my first transistor radio in 1958 and "The Great" Jackie Wilson instantly became one of my favorites with songs like Lonely Teardrops, Reet Petite, To Be Loved and (later) Baby Work Out and HIgher and Higher. The last years of Jackie's life were a sad story with his 1975 heart attack and subsequent coma which lasted until his death, at age 49, in 1984, but I will always remember Jackie and his wonderful music.