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.
Reet petite
Jackie Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oooh, weee
Lookabell, lookabell, lookabell
Oooh, weee
Ooh, ah, ooh, ah, ooh wee
Well, she's so fine, fine, fine
She's so fine, fa fa fine
She's so fine, fine, fine
She's really sweet, the kindest girl you ever want to meet
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Rrrr Reet Petite, the finest girl you ever want to meet
Well, have you ever seen a girl for whom your soul you'd give?
For whom you'd fight for, die for, pray to God you'd lie for?
She's so fine, she's so fine, she's really sweet the finest girl
You ever want to meet
Well, she really fills her clothes
From her head to toe
I want the world to know
I love her, love her so
She's alright, she's alright
She's alright
She loves me day and night
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Rrrr Reet Petite the finest girl you ever want to meet
Oh
Well, she's like honey from a bee
And like bees from a tree, I love her, need her
She bez' so buzzin'
She's alright, she's got what it takes
She's got what it takes and to me she really rates
Well, oh now she's my cutie, my tutti frutti
My heart, my love, my bathin' beauty, she's alright
She's got just what it takes, she's got what it takes
And to me she a-really rates
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Rrr
Reet Petite the finest girl you ever want to meet
Rrr
Reet Petite the finest girl you ever want to meet
Rrr
Reet Petite the finest girl you ever want to meet
The lyrics of Jackie Wilson's song "Reet Petite" describe the singer's infatuation with a woman who is so fine, sweet, and kind. He is willing to give his soul, fight for her, and even die for her. The singer praises her appearance, saying that she really fills her clothes from head to toe, and loves her for who she is. He compares her to honey from a bee and claims that she's got what it takes.
The repeated refrain of "Lookabell, lookabell, lookabell, lookabell, oooh wee" serves as an enthusiastic exclamation of the singer's passion for the woman, as her beauty and charm leave him speechless. The use of the refrain "Rrrr Reet Petite, the finest girl you ever want to meet" emphasizes the singer's admiration for the woman, as though he wants to make sure everyone knows how amazing she is.
Despite the somewhat repetitive lyrics, "Reet Petite" is a catchy and energetic song that perfectly captures the exuberance and infatuation of the early rock and roll era. It's a classic example of a love song with a simple melody and upbeat rhythm that appeals to a wide range of audiences, making it a timeless hit.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, lookabell, lookabell, lookabell, lookabell
Hey there, take a look, take a look, take a look, take a look
Oooh, weee
Wow!
Lookabell, lookabell, lookabell
Take a look, take a look, take a look
Oooh, weee
Wow!
Ooh, ah, ooh, ah, ooh wee
Expressing excitement and enjoyment of what is to come
Well, she's so fine, fine, fine
She is incredibly attractive
She's so fine, fa fa fine
She is really, really, fine
She's so fine
She is extremely attractive
She's so fine, fine, fine
She is incredibly, unbelievably, very fine
She's really sweet, the kindest girl you ever want to meet
She is not only physically attractive but also has an amazing personality
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Expressing excitement and enjoyment of what has been said
Rrrr Reet Petite, the finest girl you ever want to meet
She is indeed the most attractive woman one could desire
Well, have you ever seen a girl for whom your soul you'd give?
Have you ever seen a woman you love so much that you would do anything for her?
For whom you'd fight for, die for, pray to God you'd lie for?
Someone you are willing to risk everything for, even your life or faith?
She's so fine, she's so fine, she's really sweet the finest girl
She is stunningly attractive with a wonderful personality
You ever want to meet
She is the woman you would desire to meet
Well, she really fills her clothes
She has the perfect body that accentuates her clothing beautifully
From her head to toe
Her entire body is incredibly attractive
I want the world to know
I want everyone to know
I love her, love her so
I am in love with her
She's alright, she's alright
She is okay, in a good way
She's alright
She is doing perfectly fine
She loves me day and night
She is always loving and affectionate towards me
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Expressing excitement and enjoyment of what has been said
Rrrr Reet Petite the finest girl you ever want to meet
She is indeed the most attractive woman one could desire
Oh
Expressing excitement and enjoyment of what is to come
Well, she's like honey from a bee
She is incredibly sweet and desirable
And like bees from a tree, I love her, need her
Just like how bees cannot resist a tree with honey, I cannot resist her
She bez' so buzzin'
She is exciting and captivating
She's alright, she's got what it takes
She has all the qualities to make her a great partner
She's got what it takes and to me she really rates
She is the perfect match and I rate her highly
Well, oh now she's my cutie, my tutti frutti
She is not only the love of my life, but also my sweet and colorful companion
My heart, my love, my bathin' beauty, she's alright
She holds a special place in my heart and I find her very physically attractive
She's got just what it takes, she's got what it takes
She has all the qualities to make her a great partner
And to me she a-really rates
I rate her very highly
Rrr Reet Petite the finest girl you ever want to meet
She is indeed the most attractive woman one could desire
Rrr
Expressing excitement and enjoyment of what is to come
Reet Petite the finest girl you ever want to meet
She is indeed the most attractive woman one could desire
Rrr
Expressing excitement and enjoyment of what is to come
Reet Petite the finest girl you ever want to meet
She is indeed the most attractive woman one could desire
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Berry Gordy Jr., Tyran Carlo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bradnotbread
Absolutely timeless. Imagine hearing this for the first time in the 1950s!
@terrylewis9171
Hi: I did hear this for the first time in the '50s (I'm 80 now) and I was totally blown away - I still love it. Great times musically with the emergence of the Rock'N'Roll greats like Elvis, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis etc.
@MrPizza063
i can just imagine .. what a time to be in the 50's with all those new songs on the airwaves and then tv @@terrylewis9171
@AuthenticCelestial
wouldn't call it timeless! not a criticism, but it's very of its time
@no_soy_rubio
Absolute banger! No autotune crap just pure talent and happiness
@tahuaroa
THAT voice❣️❣️❣️
@elainepreston2139
My daughter song when little bounced off chair to this song at 3 months
@elainepreston2139
a mothers song
@elainepreston2139
Just so good
@koko-pu5vn
I agree. Some of today's artists should listen to this kind of music and realize they still have to work on there game!!