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.
Since You Showed Me How to Be Happy
Jackie Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For, stayin at my side was more than what I, sent you through
But havin faith in me, though I had none in myself
For givin all your love to me, instead of someone eles
Time after time you saved our love from destruction
Assuring me of, with your smile and affection
Now I feel the joy, the joy of every girl and boy
I said, you showed me how to be happy
I'd swallow all my pride, if I, were to say
I've been a perfect fool, a perfect fool in every way
I'll make it up to you, times I've hurt you so
The last thing I would do, honey, just to let you know
If I lose you now, I don't think I could make it
I don't see how my old heart would take it
To let my love miss out the happiness
That you're all about, I said that you,
Showed me how to be happy, said you
Showed me how to be happy, baby
Once I was all alone and I did not
Have nobody for my own
You picked me up, did not let me down
And I'll love you for ever more
You make my day, seem brighter and brighter
You make my friends grow lighter and lighter
My life I would give for love, I'd gladly thank the Lord above
You, showed me how to be happy, baby
You showed me to how to be happy, baby
Every day of my life, I need somebody like you baby...
The song "Since You Showed Me How to Be Happy" by Jackie Wilson is a soulful expression of gratitude towards a lover who has shown the singer how to be happy. The lyrics are filled with sincere thankfulness as the singer acknowledges the support and love given to him by his partner in times when he faced obstacles in his life. The song reflects the deep understanding and trust that has built up between the two lovers over the years. The lyrics convey the need to swallow one's pride to make amends for past mistakes and to cherish the present moment with the ones we love.
The song's upbeat tempo and catchy rhythm are a reminder that happiness is contagious and can spread to others around us. The joy the singer feels, thanks to the love of his partner, is an emotion that every boy and girl needs in their lives. The singer acknowledges that he was once alone, but his partner lifted him up and helped him find happiness - an experience that he will be eternally grateful for.
Overall, the lyrics convey a message of gratitude, love, and the importance of cherishing the present moment. They encourage us to appreciate those who have helped us find happiness in our lives, to make amends for past mistakes, and to never take love for granted.
Line by Line Meaning
From my heart I give thanks to you
I am grateful from the bottom of my heart for all that you have done for me
For, stayin at my side was more than what I, sent you through
You stayed by my side even though I put you through a lot more than you deserved
But havin faith in me, though I had none in myself
You believed in me even when I did not believe in myself
For givin all your love to me, instead of someone eles
You chose me to love instead of someone else
Time after time you saved our love from destruction
You repeatedly saved our love from falling apart
Assuring me of, with your smile and affection
You reassured me with your smile and love
Now I feel the joy, the joy of every girl and boy
Because of you, I now feel the happiness that everyone desires
I said, you showed me how to be happy
I acknowledge that you taught me how to be happy
I'd swallow all my pride, if I, were to say
I would sacrifice my pride to admit that
I've been a perfect fool, a perfect fool in every way
I have been a complete fool in every aspect
I'll make it up to you, times I've hurt you so
I promise to make it up to you for all the times I have hurt you
The last thing I would do, honey, just to let you know
I want you to know that the last thing I would do is hurt you
If I lose you now, I don't think I could make it
I feel like I couldn't survive without you
I don't see how my old heart would take it
I don't know how I would handle the pain
To let my love miss out the happiness
I can't let the love of my life miss out on happiness
That you're all about, I said that you,
I know that you are the epitome of happiness
Showed me how to be happy, said you
You really did teach me how to be happy
Showed me how to be happy, baby
You really did show me how to be happy, my love
Once I was all alone and I did not
I used to be alone and without anyone
Have nobody for my own
I didn't have anyone to call my own
You picked me up, did not let me down
You rescued me and did not disappoint me
And I'll love you for ever more
I will love you forever
You make my day, seem brighter and brighter
You make my days increasingly brighter
You make my friends grow lighter and lighter
You make my friends and I feel lighter and happier
My life I would give for love, I'd gladly thank the Lord above
I would give my life for love and be grateful to God for it
Every day of my life, I need somebody like you baby...
Every day of my life I need someone like you by my side, my love
Contributed by Sophia O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Trevor Cooper
without a doubt this man is the undisputed epitome of soul, with a unbelievable voice and could move like nobody else at that time, such a shame that he was financially abused by his management and died in such a terrible way. God bless you Jackie for the music that you have left for us all to enjoy. You give me the sweetest feeling.
reshea1950
I do remember buying this '45. I had wondered if I would ever hear this one again. Always like the 'snap' of the drum and great band arrangement... Thanks so Much for Posting this one!!!
Robert Velez
Since you showed me to be happy is actually a better song than Higher and Higher! The song should of went #1 on the record charts and what folks don't realize that the 2 songs have in common is the fact that the Funk Brothers(moonlighting from Motown) were actually the background musicians! So there you have it-Jackie Wilson meets Motown!
Ronnie Damnitz
I love both songs! Funk brothers! Andantes?
Andrew Ornelas
Motown met Jackie back in the 50s. Gordy was his record producer.
Sondra Smith
Totally agee! #1
GL AnnapolisTeam
I agree with you bro about this being a better song than "Higher". Though "Higher" is good too! Best!
Sondra Smith
A timeless and priceless sweet soul song!
TheOkehman
Absolutely Soul perfection!! from truly the greatest male vocalist that ever lived.....ha!ha!...in my world anyway ever since having seen him live at Wigan Casino all those years ago clad in a skin tight leather suit....what a tragedy he lapsed into a coma shortly afterwards after having a accident on stage...tremendous post thanks ever so much Dave from York formerly Burnley.
Pamela West
I would make him very happy!!!(RIP)THE GREAT JACKIE WILSON!!!
The Greatest will finally get his (STAR) ON WALK FAME 9/4/19.