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.
I'll Be Around
Jackie Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Love's last episode
There's nowhere to go, oh no
You made your choice
Now it's up to me
To bow out gracefully
Though you hold the key but baby
Whenever you call me I'll be there
Whenever you want me I'll be there
Whenever you need me I'll be there
I'll be around
I knew just what to say
Now I found out today
All the words had slipped away but I know
There's always a chance
A tiny spark will remain
And sparks turn into flames
And love can burn once again
[Chorus]
The lyrics to Jackie Wilson's "I'll Be Around" tell a story of a breakup where one partner has already made the decision to leave, presenting the other with a fork in the road - a choice between staying or going. The singer acknowledges that the decision has been made and accepts it, but still professes their willingness to be there for their former partner whenever they need them. The chorus repeats this sentiment several times, emphasizing the singer's unwavering dedication and commitment to the relationship, despite its current state.
In the second verse, the singer reveals that they previously had the perfect words to say to their partner, but now it seems that those words have vanished. However, the singer still believes in the possibility of rekindling the relationship, hoping that a small spark can ignite a flame once again. The song ends on a hopeful note of reconciliation and love.
Overall, the lyrics of "I'll Be Around" convey a sense of perseverance and devotion in the face of heartbreak. The song speaks to a universal experience of a relationship ending but still wanting to hold on, with the hope that love can be reignited.
Line by Line Meaning
This is our fork in the road
This is the moment of decision where we must choose which path to take.
Love's last episode
The end of our love story is here.
There's nowhere to go, oh no
There's no way to continue our relationship.
You made your choice
You've decided to part ways.
Now it's up to me
I have to accept your decision and move on.
To bow out gracefully
To leave with dignity, without creating any drama.
Though you hold the key but baby
You have the power to change things, but I'm at peace with your decision.
Whenever you call me I'll be there
I'll always be there for you, no matter what.
Whenever you want me I'll be there
I'll be there for you whenever you need me, even if it's not for love.
Whenever you need me I'll be there
I'll always be there for you to rely on when you need me.
I'll be around
I'm still here for you, even if we are not together anymore.
I knew just what to say
I thought I had the right words to keep us together.
Now I found out today
I discovered that I was wrong, and you have made the decision to leave.
All the words had slipped away but I know
I lost my way along the path of love, but still know there's hope.
There's always a chance
The possibility of love still exists.
A tiny spark will remain
Even though our relationship has ended, there's still a flicker of feelings left.
And sparks turn into flames
That small spark could ignite the fire of love once again.
And love can burn once again
The opportunity to start anew and rekindle our love still exists.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alec Wilder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind