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 Was Made To Love Her
Jackie Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Had a childhood sweetheart
We were always hand in hand
I was hightop shoes and shirt tails
Suzy was in pig tails
I know I loved her even then
You know my papa disapproved it
My mama boohooed it
"Don't you know I was made to love her
Built a world all around her"
Yah! Hey, hey, hey
She's been my inspiration
Showed appreciation
For the love I gave her through the years
Like a sweet magnolia tree
My love blossomed tenderly
My life grew sweeter through the years
I know that my baby loves me
My baby needs me
That's why we made it through the years
I was made to love her
Worship and adore her
Hey, hey, hey
All through thick and thin
Our love just won't end
'Cause I love my baby, love my baby. Ah!
My baby loves me
My baby needs me
And I know I ain't going nowhere
I was knee high to a chicken
When that love bug bit me
I had the fever with each passing year
Oh, even if the mountain tumbles
If this whole world crumbles
By her side I'll still be standing there
'Cause I was made to love her
I was made to live for her, yeah!
Ah, I was made to love her
Built my world all around her
Hey, hey, hey
Oo baby, I was made to please her
You know Stevie ain't gonna leave her, no
Hey, hey, hey
Oo wee baby, my baby loves me
My baby needs me
Hey, hey, hey
Oo my baby loves me
The opening lines of Jackie Wilson's song "I Was Made To Love Her" give us a glimpse into his childhood, growing up in Little Rock with a sweetheart named Suzy. Despite disapproval from his parents, Wilson knew that his love for Suzy was true and would last a lifetime. Throughout the song, he sings about the deep connection he and Suzy share, and how their love has only grown stronger with time. His devotion to her is unwavering, and he was made to love her - to worship, adore, and please her.
The lyrics of this song express a deep and inextricable love, one that seems to transcend time, place, and circumstance. Wilson likens his love to a "sweet magnolia tree," one that has blossomed tenderly over the years. Despite any challenges or obstacles they may face, he is committed to standing by Suzy's side, loving her through thick and thin. The chorus of the song repeats the refrain, "I was made to love her," emphasizing the idea that Wilson's love for Suzy is innate, fundamental, and unyielding.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born in Lil' Rock
The place of my birth was in the city called Lil' Rock.
Had a childhood sweetheart
During my childhood, I had a romantic partner.
We were always hand in hand
We always held each other's hand when we were together.
I was hightop shoes and shirt tails
I had on high-top shoes and clothing with shirt tails.
Suzy was in pig tails
My sweetheart Suzy had her hair arranged in pigtails.
I know I loved her even then
Even at that young age, I was sure that I had strong feelings of love towards her.
You know my papa disapproved it
My father was against our relationship and didn't approve of it.
My mama boohooed it
My mother cried about it and made a fuss over our relationship.
But I told them time and time again
Despite their disagreement with our relationship, I persistently tried to convince them otherwise.
"Don't you know I was made to love her
My love and devotion are innate - I was born to love her.
Built a world all around her"
My life's focus and purpose revolve around loving her and making her happy.
Yah! Hey, hey, hey
This line is a refrain used for emphasis, expression of excitement or as a filler or interjection.
She's been my inspiration
My love for her inspired me to do creative things, and she's a source of inspiration for me.
Showed appreciation
She acknowledged the love and effort that I put into our relationship.
For the love I gave her through the years
I have demonstrated love and affection for her over an extended period.
Like a sweet magnolia tree
My love, like a magnolia tree, is beautiful and ever-growing.
My love blossomed tenderly
The love that I express towards her has a delicate tenderness to it.
My life grew sweeter through the years
Life became more fulfilling and enjoyable as I spent more years with her.
I know that my baby loves me
It's evident that my partner has love for me, and I have no doubts about that.
My baby needs me
My partner relies on me for emotional support and companionship.
That's why we made it through the years
Our bond of love is what allowed us to remain together through the years.
Worship and adore her
I consider her my goddess and express unconditional love, worship, and respect towards her.
All through thick and thin
Our love endures even in challenging times or circumstances.
Our love just won't end
Our love isn't easily diminished or destroyed.
'Cause I love my baby, love my baby. Ah!
I reiterate my love for my partner, and it is my primary motivation.
I was knee-high to a chicken
I was extremely young, like when a chicken is still young and small.
When that love bug bit me
I was struck with a powerful love that compelled me to pursue my sweetheart romantically.
I had the fever with each passing year
The intensity of the love I had for her continued to grow each year, and I was consumed by it.
Oh, even if the mountain tumbles
I will persevere through great adversity or challenges that may arise in life.
If this whole world crumbles
Even if there is a catastrophic event that happens in the world, my love for her would remain constant and steadfast.
By her side I'll still be standing there
I'll always be there to support her and stand by her side no matter what.
I was made to live for her, yeah!
My purpose in this life is to live for her and make her happy because I was born to love her.
Oo baby, I was made to please her
It's my pleasure to do everything in my power to make her happy and fulfilled.
You know Stevie ain't gonna leave her, no
I'm committed to my beloved, and my devotion to her won't wane or falter.
Oo wee baby, my baby loves me
It's clear that she genuinely and entirely loves me.
My baby needs me
Her need for me as a partner is strong and tangible.
Hey, hey, hey
This line is a refrain used for emphasis, expression of excitement or as a filler or interjection.
Oo my baby loves me
She truly and fully loves me, which brings me joy and happiness.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Henry Cosby, Lula Mae Hardaway, Sylvia Moy, Stevie Wonder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lionel4482 Jenkins
Did NOT know this existed! Once again, my all-time favorite singer, Jackie Wilson kills it!
imrantransam78
He touches parts of my soul NO OTHER ARTIST EVER comes even close to touching! The absolute greatest there has ever been. Jackie Wilson.
Jody Smith
He blew this song out of the water GOOD GOD!!!!
Dee530 Luvz2BeLoved
I just listened to Jackie Wilson singing Stevie's ---"I WAS MADE TO LOVE HER", wow it's been many years since I heard this one by JW, and as alway's -- he doesn't dissapoint. All I can say is Good G-d, he is Phenomenal. What a voice, what a super star. He is Truly missed. 'Nuff said, thanks for posting... Best, Marcie B.
Paulette McIntosh-Smikle
Love the Jackie Wilson version. Killed it with those vocals.
wk m
Jackie with this one; simply great.
Huw Smiling Crow
Heard this on JazzFM in the UK and it took me a while to track it down but well worth the effort. The original set the bar very high but I actually prefer this; it’s certainly more danceable. Must check out the album it came from.
Pamela West
Phenomenal!
pacertmh
Lovin' It!!!!! A blast from the past
2011TDG
You got it as usual love you jack.