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.
Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher and Higher
Jackie Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Than I've ever been lifted before
So keep it up, quench my desire
And I'll be at your side forevermore
You know your love (your love keeps liftin' me)
Keeps on liftin' (your love keeps liftin' me)
Higher (liftin' me, liftin' me), higher, and higher (higher)
Keeps on (liftin' me, liftin' me)
Liftin' me (liftin' me) higher and higher (higher)
Now once I was downhearted
Disappointment was my closest friend
But then you came and he soon departed
And you know he never showed his face again
That's why your love (your love keeps liftin' me)
Keeps on liftin' (your love keeps liftin' me)
Higher (liftin' me, liftin' me), higher, and higher (higher)
I said your love (your love keeps liftin' me)
Keeps on (liftin' me, liftin' me)
Liftin' me (liftin' me) higher and higher (higher)
I'm so glad I finally found you
Yes, that one in a million girls
And I wish my lovin' arms around ya
Honey, I can stand up and face the world
Let me tell ya your love (your love keeps liftin' me)
Keeps on liftin' (your love keeps liftin' me)
Higher (liftin' me, liftin' me), higher, and higher (higher)
I said your love (your love keeps liftin' me)
Keeps on (liftin' me, liftin' me)
Liftin' me (liftin' me) higher and higher (higher)
The lyrics of Jackie Wilson's song Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher and Higher are a tribute to the transformative power of love. The singer describes how his lover's affection has lifted him higher than he's ever been lifted before and how this feeling has fueled his passion and desire. The lyrics portray the singer's sense of awe and wonder at the power of love and his gratitude and devotion to his lover for the way she has transformed his life.
The song's key message is that love has the ability to lift us out of our despair and disappointment and help us transcend the challenges of life. The lyrics suggest that when we find true love, we are able to face the world with confidence and strength. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy melody reinforce this message by conveying a sense of joy and celebration that corresponds to the transformative power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Your love, liftin' me higher
Your love is raising me up and improving my life.
Than I've ever been lifted before
Your love is making me happier than I've ever been.
So keep it up, quench my desire
Please continue to show me your love and fulfill my needs.
And I'll be at your side forevermore
I will always be by your side if you keep loving me this way.
You know your love (your love keeps liftin' me)
I am aware of your love and how it is improving my life.
Keeps on liftin' (your love keeps liftin' me)
Your love is continuously raising me up.
Higher (liftin' me, liftin' me), higher, and higher (higher)
Your love is raising me to greater heights and making me feel better and better.
I said your love (your love keeps liftin' me)
I am repeating the fact that your love is improving my life.
Liftin' me (liftin' me) higher and higher (higher)
Your love is continuously raising me to greater heights.
Now once I was downhearted
I was very sad and discouraged at one point.
Disappointment was my closest friend
I was always disappointed and let down.
But then you came and he soon departed
But then you came into my life and made my sadness go away.
And you know he never showed his face again
Since you came into my life, I no longer feel disappointment and sadness.
I'm so glad I finally found you
I am very happy that I have you in my life now.
Yes, that one in a million girls
You are very special and unique to me.
And I wish my lovin' arms around ya
I want to hold you close and show my love for you.
Honey, I can stand up and face the world
Because of your love, I feel confident and capable of facing any challenge.
Writer(s): Gary Jackson, Raynard Miner, Carl Smith Copyright: Mijac Music, Chevis Pub Corporation, Chevis Publishing Corp., Unichappell Music Inc., Warner-tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Contributed by Violet V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@joseignaciotrejomontes6227
Your love, lifting me higher
Than I've ever been lifted before
So keep it it up
Quench my desire
And I'll be at your side, forever more
You know your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on lifting (love keeps lifting me)
Higher (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
I said your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on (love keeps lifting me)
Lifting me (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
Listen
Now once, I was down-hearted
Disappointment, was my closest friend
But then you, came and it soon departed
And you know he never
Showed his face again
That's why your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on lifting (love keeps lifting me)
Higher (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
I said your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on (love keeps lifting me)
Lifting me (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
Alright
I'm so glad, I've finally found you
Yes that one, in a million girls
And I whip, my loving arms around you, honey
I can stand up, and face the world
Let me tell ya, your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on lifting (love keeps lifting me)
Higher (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
I said your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on (love keeps lifting me)
Lifting me (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
Now sock it to me
Hold me, you're my woman
Keep my love going
Higher and higher
I said keep on lifting
Lift me up mama
@martinanderson1995
Two heart attacks, diabetic, dodgy kidneys, prostate and bladder troubles for 13 years, plus continuous perineum pain also. I am all alone but this song has really lifted me tonight as i am dancin man am i dancin, with a beautiful woman in mind. Thank goodness i still have that. 🎉
@kathrynrocha9948
Sorry you are having health issues…. Hope you get more good days and less bad days
@martinanderson1995
@@kathrynrocha9948 thank you for your kindness. 😊
@nmw6674
Keep going brother... I'm with ya.
@travelispassionromania1994
Get better and God heal ya. Admire your fighting spirit
@nathanieldaiken1064
I want to give you one million likes for your courage and perseverance!
@ashleywilliams5840
My grandpa’s favorite song. He doesn’t remember much but anytime I play this song he smiles and moves his arms as much he can 😂
@luismrtz5203
God bless real good music never leaves our minds & hearts👏🏼
@mikejunge5797
Blessed ur grandpa... That Soul IS great
@ronbelanger4113
Sweet, enjoy the time you have left with him!