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.
Perfect Day
Jackie Wilson Lyrics
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And you sit alone with your thought,
While the chimes ring out with a carol gay
For the joy that the day has brought,
Do you think what the end of a perfect day
Can mean to a tired heart,
When the sun goes down with a flaming ray,
And the dear friends have to part?
Well, this is the end of a perfect day,
Near the end of a journey, too;
But it leaves a thought that is big and strong,
With a wish that is kind and true.
For memory has painted this perfect day
With colors that never fade,
And we find at the end of a perfect day
The soul of a friend we've made.
The lyrics of Jackie Wilson's song "Perfect Day" speak about the fleeting nature of perfect moments and the bittersweet feeling of their end. The song muses on what happens to a tired heart when the sun sets and dear friends must part. The mention of chimes and carols of joy hint at a holiday context, adding to the poignant atmosphere of the song. In essence, the song expresses gratitude for the perfect day that has been experienced and the precious memories that it has been filled with. The song also highlights the significance of the people who have been a part of the perfect day, leaving one with the soul of a new friend to cherish.
The lyrics of "Perfect Day" reflect a timeless sentiment of treasuring the present moment, accepting that all good things must come to an end, and cherishing the memories for a lifetime. The song's emotional resonance has made it a popular choice for various occasions such as weddings, funerals, and graduations.
Line by Line Meaning
When you come to the end of a perfect day,
As your perfect day draws to a close,
And you sit alone with your thought,
You are left with your thoughts by yourself,
While the chimes ring out with a carol gay
As the chimes sing a joyful tune,
For the joy that the day has brought,
Celebrating the many happy moments of the day,
Do you think what the end of a perfect day
Do you ever wonder what happens at the end of a perfect day,
Can mean to a tired heart,
And what impact it has on a tired heart,
When the sun goes down with a flaming ray,
As the sun sets with a blazing light,
And the dear friends have to part?
And friends have to say goodbye.
Well, this is the end of a perfect day,
This marks the end of a perfect day,
Near the end of a journey, too;
As the journey is almost over as well;
But it leaves a thought that is big and strong,
But the day leaves behind a powerful message,
With a wish that is kind and true.
A genuine desire for goodwill and happiness.
For memory has painted this perfect day
Because the memories of this perfect day are ingrained,
With colors that never fade,
Vivid and everlasting in their beauty,
And we find at the end of a perfect day
And we discover as the day comes to a close,
The soul of a friend we've made.
The true essence of the friendship we've established.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: HANNEKE JACOBS, PETER JACOBS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind