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.
Respect
Jackie Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Honey you've got it
And what you need
Baby you've got it
All I'm asking
Is for a little respect when I come home
Honey if you wanna
You can do me wrong
Honey while I am gone
But all I'm asking for
Is for a little respect when I come home
Hey little girl, you're so sweeter than honey
And I am about to just give you all my money
All I'm asking for
Is a little respect when I come home
Hey little girl, you're sweeter than honey
And I am about to give you all my money
But all I want you to do
Just give it, give it
Respect when I come home
Respect is what I want
Respect is what I need
Respect is what I want
Respect is what I need
Got to, got to have it
Got to, got to have it
Gotta, got to have it
Gotta, got to have it
The song "Respect" by Jackie Wilson focuses on the idea of respect in a romantic relationship. The opening lines of the song, "What you want, honey you've got it, and what you need, baby you've got it" suggests that the singer is willing to give his partner everything she could possibly want or need in a relationship. However, the lyrics then shift to the idea that all the singer is asking for in return is a little bit of respect when he comes home. This simple request is repeated throughout the song and emphasizes the importance of respect in a relationship.
The line "Do me wrong, honey if you wanna, you can do me wrong, honey while I am gone" suggests that the singer is more forgiving of his partner's actions while he is away, but still desires respect upon his return. The repeated phrase "respect is what I want, respect is what I need" further emphasizes the importance of respect in a relationship. The song also highlights the singer's attraction to his partner, describing her as "sweeter than honey" and offering to give her all his money. However, despite his affection and generosity, he still desires respect as the most important factor in their relationship.
Overall, "Respect" by Jackie Wilson is a song about the importance of respect in a romantic relationship. The singer expresses his willingness to give his partner everything she wants and needs, with the hope that she will show him the same level of respect that he desires. The repetition of the phrase "a little respect when I come home" emphasizes the significance of this request, making it clear that respect is not only desirable but necessary for a successful relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
What you want
Whatever you desire
Honey you've got it
You already possess it, my dear
And what you need
Anything that is necessary for you
Baby you've got it
You already have it, my dear
All I'm asking
I just want
Is for a little respect when I come home
To be treated with consideration and esteem upon my return
Do me wrong
Mistreat me
Honey if you wanna
My darling, if that's your preference
You can do me wrong
You have permission to mistreat me
Honey while I am gone
During the time I'm away
But all I'm asking for
Nonetheless, all I seek
Hey little girl, you're so sweeter than honey
Addressing a young woman who is sweet and charming
And I am about to just give you all my money
I'm on the verge of lavishing you with gifts
All I'm asking for
All I'm pleading for
Is a little respect when I come home
I desire to feel valued and esteemed when I return
Hey little girl, you're sweeter than honey
Again addressing a sweet and charming young woman
And I am about to give you all my money
Expressing a desire to shower her with gifts and wealth
But all I want you to do
My only request is
Just give it, give it
Provide it, grant it
Respect when I come home
To be greeted with admiration and appreciation upon my arrival
Respect is what I want
My true desire is to be treated with reverence
Respect is what I need
Reverence is what I require
Respect is what I want
Again expressing the deep longing for admiration
Respect is what I need
Reverence is truly what I lack and thus seek
Got to, got to have it
I must, I must possess it
Got to, got to have it
Again expressing the dire need to be respected
Gotta, got to have it
I absolutely, positively need to have it
Gotta, got to have it
Underscoring the absolute necessity of respect
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC., Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Otis Redding
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind