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.
Doggin' Around
Jackie Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you don't stop yeah, I'm going to put you down
'Cause, I can't take it much longer
My heart is getting weak, it's not getting any stronger
You keep me so upset, my heads in a whirl,
But if you wanna be my girl
You better stop yeah doggin' me around
'Cause if you don't stop I'm gonna put you down
Sometimes you don't make it home at all
I don't mind you having yourself a real good time,
But now what are you trying to do, trying to make me loose my mind
You better stop yeah, doggin' me around
If you don't stop I'm gonna put you down
Yes put you down
I don't want to do it but I'll have to put you down
I love you baby, but still I'll put you down
In "Doggin Around," Jackie Wilson addresses a lover who has been cheating on him and treating him poorly. Wilson pleads for respect and loyalty in a relationship, warning his partner that he cannot handle the constant emotional turmoil that stems from their actions. By using the metaphor of a pet that is being mistreated, Wilson emphasizes how he feels like he is being treated like an animal that his significant other can abuse and disregard at their will. The singer reveals that he loves the partner, but ultimately, he will put them down if they do not stop dogging him around.
The song's lyrics capture the frustration and heartache that comes with being in a relationship with someone who cannot commit. The song's arrangement, which was popular in the 1950s and 1960s, features soaring horns and lively percussion, creating an upbeat feel that almost contradicts the song's sorrowful lyrics. Interestingly, when the song was first released in 1960, it failed to make any headway on the charts. However, it was eventually popularized by the Northern Soul movement, which emerged in the mid-1960s in the United Kingdom.
Line by Line Meaning
You better stop yeah doggin' me around
Please stop treating me poorly
If you don't stop yeah, I'm going to put you down
If you continue, I will break up with you
'Cause, I can't take it much longer
I am at my limit with the way you treat me
My heart is getting weak, it's not getting any stronger
Your actions are hurting me emotionally
You keep me so upset, my heads in a whirl,
Your behavior is causing me a lot of stress and confusion
But if you wanna be my girl
If you want to be in a relationship with me
Now you know you go out nights, to have yourself a ball
I am aware that you go out at night to have fun
Sometimes you don't make it home at all
Sometimes you don't come home at night
I don't mind you having yourself a real good time,
I am okay with you having fun
But now what are you trying to do, trying to make me loose my mind
Your behavior is causing me to feel crazy
Yes put you down
I will end our relationship if you do not change
I don't want to do it but I'll have to put you down
I don't want to break up, but I will if necessary
I love you baby, but still I'll put you down
I care for you, but I will not tolerate being treated poorly
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EDGAR BATTLE, HERSCHEL EVANS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thabassmon
I still don't think there has been a more versatile singer than Jackie Wilson, just such a stunning talent.
Nessiefa n
What a magic voice, especially when he sings in falsetto!
Lee Boyall
So difficult to pick favourites of Jackie's when I love everything he sang - but this track is definitely one of the top drawer songs. Astonishing performance. Most of the time you just forget about whatever song he's singing, forget the lyrics and just jump on board his voice, cos it's a hell of a ride - Jackie Wilson, my man - truly the greatest!
Howard McCauley
an absolute gift to the world. incredible talent.
Vee Foster
He was a phenomenal singer. The R & B singers of today cannot hold a candle to him. It is bittersweet to watch his videos because at the time when he was putting out this great music, he didn't know he was being swindled.
Also, it would be great if a movie and/or Broadway play were done about his life and music.
Monstro 213
Going through some tough times right now and this song is helping me. It's literally breaking everything down. It's talking directly to me
Jay B
Beautiful song...this song came out long before I was born. I have to say the words of this song had so much meaning.This song has touched every part of my body. Jackie Wilson you are the greatest to ever do it.
TheWonderfulKushite
As far as I'm concerned, this is the greatest male voice I have ever heard. He truly was extraordinarily gifted!
Kathy Prewitt
I must agree.!!
bjclark1017
You absolutely nailed it, my brother. You can think long and hard to find a greater voice then Jackie Wilson. Even after all these years. . .Jackie is the greatest.