Born in the small town of Thompson, Georgia, Jackson was the daughter of a sharecropper. Jackson's mother died while she was still a child, and subsequently, she and her father moved to Newark, New Jersey. By the time she was in her mid-teens, she moved to Brooklyn, New York, and lived with an aunt. Jackson occasionally worked as a model for magazines like Jive and Sepia.
Her career is said to have begun on a dare to enter a 1964 Harlem nightclub talent contest, which she soundly won.
Though Jackson first recorded for MGM records, she soon left and began her long association with Spring records. Among her early hits was Hurts So Good which was featured in the blaxploitation film Cleopatra Jones. During the 1970s, she travelled the Southern club circuit along with other bands like The Mighty Majors. Jackson is a former Grammy Award nominee for If Loving You is Wrong (I Don't Want to Be Right) from the album Caught Up. On that album, the follow-up Still Caught Up, and others, she was backed by the renowned Muscle Shoals rhythm section. Her voice is frequently compared to Gladys Knight's.
Jackson's chart success continued into the 1980s. Two of her largest hits during this period include "Hot! Wild! Unrestricted Crazy Love" and "Love Is A Dangerous Game". Both songs reached the Top 10 of R&B chart.
Jackson wrote and starred in the touring play "Young Man, Older Woman," based on her album of the same title. Two more albums followed, 1994's Rock N' Soul and 1995's It's Over.
Jackson now runs her own record label, Weird Wreckuds. For the past several years Jackson has had her own radio show in Dallas, Texas. Broadcasting via remote from her home in Atlanta, Jackson can be found working during the afternoon drive time from 3-6 p.m. on KKDA 730 AM.
In 2000, Jackson's voice was featured in "Am I Wrong" by Etienne de Crecy, sampled from her performance in "If Loving You is Wrong". In 2001, Jackson issued her album, Not For Church Folk! on her own label, Weird Wreckuds. It includes the single, "Butt--A-Cize."
If Loving You Is Wrong
Millie Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't wanna be right
If being right means being without
Id rather be wrong
My old man says it's a shame
It's a downright disgrace
As long as I got you by my side
I don't care what our people say
If I can't have you when I want you
I'm a see you when I can
Am I wrong to fall so deeply in love with you
Knowing you have a wife and two little children depending on you too
Am I wrong to hunger for the gentleness of your touch
Oh when I got someone else at home who needs me just as much
Am I wrong for giving my love to a married man
Tell me am I wrong for trying to hold on to the best thing I ever had?
These lyrics tell a story of a woman who is in love with a married man. Despite society's disapproval and the potential consequences, she is willing to take the risk and be with the man she loves. She is also struggling with the guilt of knowing that the man has a wife and children who depend on him. She questions whether she is wrong for feeling this way and for wanting to hold on to what she believes is the best thing she has ever had.
The song highlights the complexities of love and relationships, particularly when it involves forbidden love. It shows the internal struggle and conflict that someone can go through when they are in love with someone they shouldn't be.
Moreover, the song speaks to the societal double standard that often exists when it comes to infidelity. Men who cheat are often not held to the same level of scrutiny and shame as women who do the same, even though both parties are equally responsible for their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
If loving you is wrong
If my love for you is not acceptable by the norm
I don't wanna be right
Then I prefer to be wrong but still love you
If being right means being without
If society demands I end this relationship with you
Id rather be wrong
I would still choose to be with you even if it means breaking the rules
My old man says it's a shame
My partner thinks it's disgraceful
It's a downright disgrace
He considers our relationship to be immoral and disgraceful
As long as I got you by my side
As long as we have each other, I don't care about other people's opinions
I don't care what our people say
I'm not bothered about how society perceives our relationship
My friend tell me there's no future in loving a married man
My friend thinks that our relationship is destined to fail because you're married
If I can't have you when I want you
If I cannot see you whenever I want to because of your other responsibilities
I'm a see you when I can
Then I'll find a way to still be with you whenever possible
Am I wrong to fall so deeply in love with you
Is it morally wrong for me to feel intense love towards you
Knowing you have a wife and two little children depending on you too
Despite the fact that you have a family to take care of
Am I wrong to hunger for the gentleness of your touch
Is it wrong for me to crave your affection
Oh when I got someone else at home who needs me just as much
Even though I have a partner who also requires my attention and love
Am I wrong for giving my love to a married man
Is it immoral for me to love someone who is already married
Tell me am I wrong for trying to hold on to the best thing I ever had?
Would it be wrong for me to fight for the most precious thing I ever had which is you?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Carl Mitchell Hampton, Homer Banks, Raymond E. Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@moniquesmiley3620
My mom played this song when I was growing up so much I knew all the words at a young age. Still listening to it at 49.
@boubasali4891
I'm 61 and still enjoying it.
Since 1976/77
A masterpiece.
For our souls...
@amandajoyr1
Same here i'm 55, my mum played it all the time in the 70's. I know every word..
@georgettebreland2090
This has got to be the best version ever of this song. Millie Jackson you are the best!
@sterlingrock7769
As far as I am aware, Millie Jackson is the first female artist to mix singing and rap in this style. She was totally way ahead of the time. But the most amazing thing is that Ms. Jackson was surrounded by one of the greatest bands and musicians in the business. It was a unique sound and style these brilliant musicians produce that accentuated Millie Jackson's raw style and sound.
@valerieadams5656
Actually Isaac Hayes was the first to mix singing and rap ,.see his hot buttered soul album...
@ferdonandebull
@Valerie Adams probably why sterling said female artist.. unless you know something about Hayes we don’t..
@ngoza-oo5ui
@ferdonandebull 😂😂😂
@JoeyJoJo85
@Valerie Adams I never knew Chef was a female artist
@thabangmnguni6539
🤣🤣@Valerie Adams