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."
Just When I Needed You Most
Millie Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just do what you can do
We were struggling for some way to pay
They had left us in pain
Left us out in the rain
But you could have found us a way
Oh darlin'
You knew how we were short
Where we'd find credit
God only knows
Bcause you left me
Just when I needed you most
Because you left me
Just when I needed you the most
You said you made your bed
That's where you'll lay your head
There'll be no handout from me
But we were down on the floor
And they'd soon be at our door
Demanding their cash right away
Oh darlin'
We were feelin the heat
You had to be so discreet
Cos where we'd find credit
God only knows
Because you left me
Just when I needed you most
Because you left me
Just when I needed you most
But when you saw the news
Those long and desperate queues
Of Northern Rock savers that day
You knew you'd left it too late
Abandoned us to our fate
Now there was no other way
That's when you said you win
But you'll pay for your sin
We're in the lifeboat
We're headin your way
Because you left me
Just when I needed you most
Because you left me
just when I needed you most
Then someone dished the dirt
They know how it would hurt
the cat was out of the bag
They would call it abuse
We had no more excuse
We'd have to come clean the next day
You blamed the EEC
But how it seems to me
That Robert Peston blew us away
Because you left me
just when I needed you most
Because you left me
just when I needed you most
The lyrics of Millie Jackson's song Just When I Needed You Most explores the feeling of betrayal and abandonment by someone who was relied upon during tough times. The song starts with the singer expressing the desperation they felt when they were struggling to make ends meet, and when they expected the person they had relied upon to come through for them, they were left high and dry. The lyrics use metaphors of being left out in the rain and down on the floor to emphasize the tough times the singer was going through. The singer accuses the person of being the last resort, and when they needed them the most, they disappeared.
The lyrics of the song take a turn when the singer draws attention to a news story about the Northern Rock savers, who were struggling to keep their money safe in the bank. The person who had abandoned the singer sees the news and realizes they have made a mistake by leaving the singer when they needed them the most. The person tries to redeem themselves by offering help to the singer, and the lyrics contain a metaphorical reference to a lifeboat that is headed towards the singer. However, the charm quickly wears off when the truth is revealed, and the person is accused of abuse, and their excuses fall on deaf ears.
The song portrays the feelings of being let down and betrayed by the person that one had relied upon when they felt most vulnerable. The lyrics use metaphors to paint a vivid picture of the desperation and helplessness that the singer was feeling. The song ends on a note of finality and acceptance of the betrayal, as the singer realizes that they were left alone when they needed someone the most.
Line by Line Meaning
When we were beggin you
At a time when we were pleading and imploring you
Just do what you can do
To simply do whatever you have the power to do
We were struggling for some way to pay
We were experiencing difficulty in finding means to repay the debt
They had left us in pain
They had caused us emotional distress
Left us out in the rain
Abandoned and deserted us in our time of need
But you could have found us a way
You had the ability to find us a solution
Oh darlin'
Expressing affectionate or caring address
You knew how we were short
You were aware of our financial inadequacy
You were out last resort
You were our final hope or option
Where we'd find credit
The place from where we could obtain a loan
God only knows
Expressing uncertainty or lack of knowledge
Because you left me
Due to your act of abandoning or deserting me
Just when I needed you most
Precisely at the moment I needed your support the most
You said you made your bed
You claimed to have made a decision and were ready to face its consequences
That's where you'll lay your head
This is where you will face the result of your decision
There'll be no handout from me
You refused to give us any help or assistance
But we were down on the floor
We were in a vulnerable or helpless state
And they'd soon be at our door
Creditors would soon come to demand their due payment
Demanding their cash right away
Requesting for immediate repayment of the money owed
Oh darlin'
Affectionate or caring address
We were feelin the heat
We were experiencing intense pressure or stress
You had to be so discreet
You had to act in a careful and secretive manner
Cos where we'd find credit
Because we couldn't get a loan from any other source
Because you left me
Due to your act of abandoning or deserting me
Just when I needed you most
Precisely at the moment I needed your support the most
But when you saw the news
However, when you saw the news updates
Those long and desperate queues
The long lines of desperate people seeking help
Of Northern Rock savers that day
People who had invested money in Northern Rock bank
You knew you'd left it too late
You realized that it was too late to take action
Abandoned us to our fate
Left us to face our destiny or consequence alone
Now there was no other way
Now we had no other alternative or option
That's when you said you win
You claimed victory or superiority
But you'll pay for your sin
You'll be punished for your wrongdoing
We're in the lifeboat
We are in a rescue boat or a safe place
We're headin your way
We are coming towards you
Then someone dished the dirt
Someone revealed the secret or the truth
They know how it would hurt
They knew the painful consequences it would bring
the cat was out of the bag
The secret was revealed or the truth was exposed
They would call it abuse
They would label it as mistreatment or exploitation
We had no more excuse
We could not offer any justification or explanation anymore
We'd have to come clean the next day
We had to reveal the truth openly and honestly the next day
You blamed the EEC
You held the European Economic Community responsible or accountable
But how it seems to me
However, from my perspective
That Robert Peston blew us away
That Robert Peston's reporting caused significant damage or harm to us
Because you left me
Due to your act of abandoning or deserting me
just when I needed you most
Precisely at the moment I needed your support the most
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Randy Van Warmer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnevans1952
all in bones
mind
eyes
that's right do you know
AT FIRST SIGHT
mighty mighty good song
leave you must have to have a whole in my head
something's are irreversible factual actual fact
⭐ M illie ⭐🌸
Jackson ⭐🔆
@mommydearest4797
My mom would play her records all the time and now I listen to her now 💕💕💕
@Jevezy
Damn, my girl Millie put soul in this song, sounds better than the original. Enjoying this in 2019. Sing it Millie with your bad self.
@CAM0244
Millie is awesome and all her songs, this is just one out of all of my favorites 💞
@ziyandakhuzwayo2420
One of the legends,we love you .
@samkendricks2026
2018 and this song still gives me goose bumps. We love you cousin Millie. You did Thomson proud.
@malindamaxwell5009
I've been listen to Millie since the 1960's...If I live long enough I'll be listen until the 2060's
@terrywynnii2248
Malinda Maxwell her first record didn’t drop till 1972🤷🏾♂️. Did you hear her in clubs before she got a record deal?
@dianamccullough6248
Can you tell me the name of the album or story about she's waiting in the hotel and the letters on the sign keep burning out and she tells him the sign says its over ho.
@terrywynnii2248
Diana Mccullough “I’m still waiting baby” from the live album “Back to the sh!t” it’s the one with the infamous cover of her sitting on a toilet
@dianamccullough6248
@Terry Wynn II thank you so much. My best friend had a lot of her stuff on cassette tapes that her friend made her. Rhonda was from Indianapolis and her and her brothers partied with Millie when she came to town. My friend died a few years ago and she wanted me to have the tapes but no one could find them. Thanks again sweety.