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.
Until The Real Thing Comes Along
Jackie Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd slave for you
I'd be a beggar or a knave for you
If that isn't love, it will have to do
Until the real thing comes along
I'd gladly move
The earth for you
And its worth for you
If that isn't love, it will have to do
Until the real thing comes along.
With all the words, dear, at my command
I just can't make you understand
I'll always love you darling
Come what may
My heart is yours
What more can I say?
I'd lie for you
I'd sigh for you
I'd tear the stars down from the sky for you
If that isn't love, it will have to do
Until the real thing comes along
With all the words, dear, at my command
I just can't make you understand
I'll always love you baby
Come what may
My heart is yours
What more can I say?
I'd lie for you
I'd cry for you
I'd lay my body down and die tor you
If that isn't love, it will have to do
Until the real thing comes along
The lyrics of Jackie Wilson's song 'Until the Real Thing Comes Along' express the depth of love and devotion that the singer has for his beloved. He professes his willingness to wait for his love, work hard for her, even beg or become a knave, all in the name of love. He goes as far as saying that he would move the earth to prove the worth of his love for her. The singer laments that despite all the words he could command, he cannot adequately express the depth of his love, and he would continue to love his darling come what may. He would lie, sigh, and do everything in his power to show his love until he finds the real thing.
The lyrics of this song show a lover who is so deeply and genuinely in love with his partner. He is willing to go to great lengths to prove his love, even if it means sacrificing his life or lying for her. The song sends a romantic message about love and devotion, and it is full of passion and emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd wait for you
I would patiently wait for you
I'd slave for you
I am willing to work hard or sacrifice for you
I'd be a beggar or a knave for you
I would humbly ask for your help or even act dishonorably for you
If that isn't love, it will have to do
These extreme actions are signs of my love, at least for now
Until the real thing comes along
Until I find a more genuine or fulfilling relationship
I'd gladly move
I am willing to go to great lengths for you
The earth for you
I would move mountains for you
To prove my love, dear
To demonstrate the depth of my affection for you
And its worth for you
To show you that my love is valuable and meaningful
With all the words, dear, at my command
Despite my ability to express myself well
I just can't make you understand
I cannot make you see or appreciate my feelings
I'll always love you darling
My affection for you will endure
Come what may
Regardless of what happens
My heart is yours
I give you all of my love and devotion
What more can I say?
There are no words that fully express my feelings for you
I'd cry for you
I am willing to shed tears for you
I'd lay my body down and die tor you
I am willing to give my life for you
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alberta Nichols, L.E. Freeman, Mann Holiner, Sammy Cahn, Saul Chaplin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark Williams
He could sing anything and did it better than any singer I've ever heard before! He definitely was the greatest!
Pamela West
JACKIE WILSON had a incredible voice!
Sentinel one
They should just call this man THE VOICE. Because he had thee voice as far as I am concerned.
Marji Colt
JWL, your description is right on point. As a listener, you hear Jackie's soulful sounds and you feel that he is singing just for you and to you. I always seem to cling to the last lyric in the hope that the magic of the moment won't end. (Another excellent selection.)
2011TDG
Wonderful as always love you Jackie, Tammy.
MarcieLuvzMusic
An Intoxicating version of this Hypnotic standard.... thanks so much, Just Great!! M xox
isiano10
I get goosebumps every time I come back to this song my friend 🙂
John F
Loved it!
Sheila Dorr
Beautiful rendition of a classic song and Jackie did it so well.
Sheila Dorr
Lamed Vav
Great! It just doesn't get any better!