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.
The Who Who Song
Jackie Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Who am I, who am I)
A thousand times they asked me why
Who am I, who am I
That I should dare
To fall in love with you
Who am I, who am I
Well now I ask you
What am I to do
Am I supposed to sit and cry
Who am I, who am I
To tell my heart
This isn't really true
I'll tell no lie
I'm Mister Mighty High
And you're the reason why
They ask me "who am I"
No longer no one (No one)
Because I'm your one (Your one)
That makes me someone (Someone)
And this I know, who am I without you
Never again to sit and cry
Who am I, who am I
I'll tell my heart
This time it's really true
I'll tell no lie
I'm Mister Mighty High
And you're the reason why
They ask me "who am I"
Who am I
Who am I
In Jackie Wilson's song "Who Am I," the singer repeatedly asks the question "who am I," in reference to his feelings towards the person he loves. He's been asked a thousand times why he feels the way he does, and he wonders if he's supposed to just sit and cry about it. Despite not intending to fall in love with this person, he proclaims that they are the reason why he feels "mighty high" and that he is no longer "no one," but instead someone because of their love. He ends the song by once again asking "who am I," but this time it feels more like a rhetorical question, as he knows that he is somebody because of the love he has found.
The lyrics of "Who Am I" are a poignant representation of the overwhelming emotions that come with falling in love. Wilson's powerful vocals and emotive delivery further amplify the heartfelt message of the song, making it a beloved classic. The song touches on universal themes that many people can relate to, and its raw honesty and vulnerability make it a timeless piece of music.
Line by Line Meaning
A thousand times they asked me why
Many times people have inquired about my identity
Who am I, who am I
Questioning my own self-worth and place in this world
That I should dare
Why did I even attempt to
To fall in love with you
To develop deep feelings of affection for you
I never meant to aim so high
I did not plan for my emotions to escalate to this level
Well now I ask you
Now it's my turn to pose the question
What am I to do
How am I supposed to handle this situation
Am I supposed to sit and cry
Is being sad the expected or acceptable response
To tell my heart
Convincing myself
This isn't really true
That my emotions are not genuine, which is not the case
I'll tell no lie
I swear it is true
I'm Mister Mighty High
I am full of confidence and esteem
And you're the reason why
It is because of you and your impact on me
They ask me "who am I"
Others are curious about my newfound identity
No longer no one (No one)
I am no longer a nobody and insignificant
Because I'm your one (Your one)
I am special and important to you
That makes me someone (Someone)
Having meaningful relationships in life gives me value and purpose
And this I know, who am I without you
I acknowledge that I am incomplete without your presence and love
Never again to sit and cry
I vow to not let sadness consume me again
I'll tell my heart
I will convince myself
This time it's really true
That my feelings are genuine and not temporary
Who am I
Reflecting on my identity once again
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BERT KEYES, BOB ELGIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nina Gerrard
Just dropped this beauty on my cousin’s wedding playlist; guaranteed to fill the floor 💃🕺🏼
John Tayman
Just an amazing singer. Such talent!
Les Yuen
Simply the best dance track ever made.
steven stewardson
Fabulous Les great hearing from you top soul man 🎼🎹👑👑⭐⭐🦉🦉✊✊🏻✊✊🏻
Lee Boyall
Sung by the greatest singer/mover/looker as well - always onto a winner with my man Jackie Wilson!
Greggjodi Gomes
Spot on mate . KTF
Steve Cowell
Absolute classic definition of Northen Soul. I defy anyone to stay seated while this is playing. I lost my original in the early 80's when I moved house, couldn't get a copy anywhere. The Jackie Wilson fan club told me that he had never released a record called 'The Who Who Song'. I eventually found a copy on the Brunswick record label. Oh Joy.
Christopher Kent
Steve, I think they likely did not realize that it was a “B” side! The best “B” side ever in my mind! How I can still hear anything is a miracle given the night club scene.
Christopher Kent
Man I miss this music, this was a favourite on the nightclub dance floors in Nottingham, England in the seventies. Love this big time, such memories❤️
Beta Ray Bill
Go, Jackie, go!! Can't keep still to this!! This beats Motown hands down!