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 Satisfied
Jackie Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hold my hand, baby
Just once in a while
That's all need, that's all I need
And I'll be satisfied
Think of me when you're away
Call me darling
Just once a day
And I'll be satisfied
True love came to me when I met you
True love makes me know I won't forget you
When you're around me, it makes me feel
Life is worth living, baby, love is so forgiving
Just a kiss, just a smile
Hold my hand, baby
Just once in a while
That's all need, that's all I need
And I'll be satisfied
True love came to me when I met you
True love makes me know I won't forget you
When you're around me, it makes me feel
Life is worth living, baby, love is so forgiving
Think of me when you're away
Call me darling
Just once a day
That's all need, that's all I need
And I'll be no, no, no, no, no, no
That's all need, that's all I need
And I'll be yeah, yeah
That's all need, that's all I need
And I'll be so satisfied
That's all need, that's all I need
Baby, bay, baby, baby, baby
That's all need, that's all I need
And I'll be yeah, yeah
That's all need, that's all I need
The lyrics to Jackie Wilson's song "I'll Be Satisfied" express the singer's simple desires for love and affection. The first verse describes how even small gestures such as a kiss, a smile, or holding hands can bring him happiness. He emphasizes that all he really needs is for his partner to give him these things "just once in a while" and he will be satisfied.
The second verse is a plea for his partner to think of him while she is away and to call him once a day. Again, he emphasizes that these small acts of affection are all he needs to be content in their relationship. He then sings about how true love came to him when he met his partner and how it makes him feel like life is worth living. The repetition of the line "That's all I need" throughout the song reinforces the idea that the singer's desires are simple and achievable.
Overall, "I'll Be Satisfied" is a sweet, romantic song that captures the essence of a relationship built on small acts of love and affection. It's a reminder that sometimes the simplest things in life can bring the most satisfaction.
Line by Line Meaning
Just a kiss, just a smile
I don't need grand gestures, just a simple display of affection like a kiss or a smile will make me happy and content.
Hold my hand, baby
Physical touch is important to me, just holding hands can make me feel loved and cared for.
Just once in a while
I don't need constant attention or affection, just occasional displays of love and care are enough for me.
That's all need, that's all I need
I am a simple man who doesn't require a lot to be satisfied in a relationship.
And I'll be satisfied
If you give me these small gestures of love and care, I will be happy and content with our relationship.
Think of me when you're away
Even when we are apart, I want you to keep me in your thoughts and know that I am thinking of you too.
Call me darling
Hearing terms of endearment from you like 'darling' makes me feel loved and appreciated.
Just once a day
It's not about excessive communication, just a simple phone call or text message once a day will make me feel loved.
True love came to me when I met you
I feel like I found true love when I met you, and I am grateful to have you in my life.
True love makes me know I won't forget you
The love we share is real and strong, and it gives me confidence that I will always remember and cherish you.
When you're around me, it makes me feel
Being in your presence brings me joy and makes me feel happy and alive.
Life is worth living, baby, love is so forgiving
You give meaning to my life, and your forgiveness and understanding in our relationship have shown me the true power of love.
And I'll be no, no, no, no, no, no
I won't be dissatisfied or unhappy if you provide me with these simple gestures of love.
Baby, bay, baby, baby, baby
Terms of endearment like 'baby' or 'babe' make me feel like we have a close and loving relationship.
And I'll be yeah, yeah
I will be happy and satisfied if you give me these simple gestures of love and care.
And I'll be so satisfied
If you give me these small gestures of love and care, I will be fully satisfied and content in our relationship.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BERRY GORDY JR, BERRY JR GORDY, GWENDOLYN FUQUA, GWENDOLYN GORDY FUQUA, TYRAN CARLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind