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.
Cry
Jackie Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's no secret you'll feel better if you cry
When waking from a bad dream don't you sometimes think it's real
But it's only false emotion that you feel
If your heart aches seem to hang around too long
And your blues oh they keep getting bluer with each song
Remember sunshine can't be found behind a cloudy sky
If your heart aches seem, oh seems to hang around too long
Yeah and your blues, your blues keep getting bluer with each song
Oh baby just remember sunshine can be found
Yes it can found behind each cloudy sky
So let your hair down baby and go on and cry
The song "Cry" by Jackie Wilson is a soulful ballad that encourages individuals to allow themselves the freedom to express their emotions through tears. The lyrics speak of the pain that accompanies heartbreak and the struggles of dealing with it. It suggests that crying can help alleviate the pain, and that it is a necessary step in the healing process. The song acknowledges the weight of heartache and that it is essential to release those feelings.
The opening lines suggest that when someone receives a letter of goodbye from their sweetheart, which is often the most painful thing they can experience, it is only natural to feel better after crying. The next verse continues with the idea that waking up from a bad dream can seem all too real, but it is only the false emotion that we feel, which is an allusion to the fact that we need to identify what is real or not before reacting.
The chorus says that if the pain seems too much, and the blues keep getting bluer, it is okay to let it out because sunshine is only found when the darkness is cleared, and the clouds are lifted. The song's message is clear, that crying is a form of healing; it can release the burden of heartache and bring in the light of hope.
Line by Line Meaning
If your sweetheart sends a letter of goodbye
When someone you love decides to leave you and send a letter saying goodbye
It's no secret you'll feel better if you cry
It is not a secret that crying can help relieve emotional pain
When waking from a bad dream don't you sometimes think it's real
After having a bad dream, there are times when you may actually think it is real
But it's only false emotion that you feel
However, it is just a fake emotion and not real
If your heart aches seem to hang around too long
When you continue to feel pain in your heart for a long time
And your blues oh they keep getting bluer with each song
Your sadness and pain seem to deepen every time you listen to a sad song
Remember sunshine can't be found behind a cloudy sky
It is important to know that happiness cannot be found if you are always focusing on your sorrows
So let your hair down and go on and cry
It is okay to let your emotions out and cry, sometimes it is necessary for healing
Oh, baby just remember sunshine can be found
You can find happiness again, even after being in a dark place
Yes, it can be found behind each cloudy sky
It may not always be visible, but there is always a chance to find happiness even in difficult situations
So let your hair down baby and go on and cry
It is important to let your emotions out and not feel ashamed of crying when necessary
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Churchill L. Kohlman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Charlotte Hendershot
Beautiful singer
Smith
I don't think there will ever be another with a voice so amazing, there were a lot of good singers but this guy is EXCEPTIONAL. Head and shoulders above the rest.
EDWARD WALLINGTON
Man --- Jackie can sing anything. I love to hear Jackie sing, sing, sing!!!
David Walsh
A great version of this classic old song. Jackie Wilson was a great and gifted performer.
Dodge Landesman
It's hard to choose my favorite artist but Jackie may be it. I don't judge a singer based on how many of his hits I've liked, but really it's dependent on if he's an excellent stylist or not. Wilson, like Jerry Lee Lewis for example, can take a huge hit, sing it, and make it even better and more powerful. Jackie is the master stylist, even if he was singing the phone book you'd be rocked by its poignancy and emotion as each name is sung aloud.
Ginger Bread
The worlds greatest singer EVER.
Silvia Lepratto Mazza
There is a clarity in each note he sings that is what makes music. I think that is what we all hear that touches every cell in our bodies. Very special gift.
Lethal Lisa
AMEN!! 🙌🏼🙏🏼
Norma J.
I am hearing him again in 2018, I was standing and his voice so overwhelmed me that I had to come sit at the computer to say something, my God what a voice!! World's greatest singer indeed!!
Truth Hitman
Sam Cooke came back and smashed it tho