Known as "Van the Man" by his fans, Morrison first rose to prominence as the lead singer of the Northern Irish band Them, writing their 1964 hit "Gloria". A few years later, Morrison left the band for a successful solo career, starting with the album Astral Weeks.
Morrison has pursued an idiosyncratic musical path. Much of his music is tightly structured around the conventions of American soul and R&B, such as the popular singles "Brown Eyed Girl", "Moondance", "Domino", and "Wild Night". An equal part of his catalogue consists of lengthy, loosely connected, spiritually inspired musical journeys that show the influence of Celtic tradition, jazz, and stream-of-consciousness narrative, such as his classic album Astral Weeks and lesser known works such as Veedon Fleece and Common One. The two strains together are sometimes referred to as "Celtic Soul," and Morrison rejects the characterization of his genre of music as Rock, citing Elvis Presley as a non-influence.
He continues to perform regularly and achieved his highest U.S. chart position (number ten on the Billboard 200) with his 2008 album, Keep It Simple.
I'm In Heaven When You Smile
Van Morrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was Reet Petite
Kinda love you got
Knock me off my feet
Let it all hang out
Oh, let it all hang out
And you know
I'm so wired up
Let it all hang out
Let it all hang out
Ding a ling a ling
Ding a ling a ling ding
Ding a ling a ling
Ding a ling a ling ding
Do da do da
I'm in heaven, I'm in heaven
I'm in heaven, when you smile
When you smile, when you smile
When you smile
And when you walk
Across the room
You make my heart go
Boom boom boom
Let it all hang out
Baby, let it all hang out
And every time
You look that way
Honey child, you make my day
Let it all hang out
Like the man said let it all hang out
Ding a ling a ling
Ding a ling a ling ding
Ding a ling a ling
Ding a ling a ling ding
Do da do da
I'm in heaven, I'm in heaven
I'm in heaven, when you smile
When you smile
I'm in heaven, I'm in heaven
I'm in heaven, when you smile
One more time
I'm in heaven, I'm in heaven
I'm in heaven, when you smile
When you smile
In “Jackie Wilson Said,” Van Morrison sings about the uplifting power of music and love. The song begins with the line “Jackie Wilson said it was Reet Petite,” a tribute to the late R&B singer who had several hits in the 1950s and early 1960s. “Reet Petite” was one of Wilson’s most popular songs and the lyrics that follow — “Kinda love you got, knock me off my feet” — suggest that the woman in the song has a similar effect on the singer.
Morrison goes on to describe how the woman makes him feel – “I’m so wired up, don’t need no coffee in my cup” -- and how her smile and presence fills him with joy and makes him feel like he’s in heaven. The repetition of “Let it all hang out” throughout the song is an invitation to be themselves and to revel in the moment.
The instrumental breaks feature a prominent horn section and a catchy melody that complements Morrison’s vocals. Overall, “Jackie Wilson Said” celebrates the transformative power of love and music, and the joy that comes with letting go and being swept up in the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Jackie Wilson said
The singer is referencing Jackie Wilson, a famous singer from the 1950s and 60s, who has inspired him to sing this song
It was Reet Petite
Jackie Wilson had a hit song called "Reet Petite" which the singer is referencing here
Kinda love you got
The singer is praising the type of love his partner has for him, implying that it's special in some way
Knock me off my feet
The singer is so enamored with his partner that their love is able to physically affect him
Let it all hang out
The singer is urging his partner to be free and expressive of themselves without any inhibitions
Oh, let it all hang out
The singer reiterates his desire for his partner to be open and free, emphasizing the urgency of it
And you know
The singer is acknowledging that his partner is aware of their effect on him
I'm so wired up
The singer is describing the high-energy feeling he gets from being around his partner
Don't need no coffee in my cup
The singer is saying that the energy he gets from his partner is enough to keep him going, he doesn't need coffee
Ding a ling a ling
This is a nonsensical lyric that could possibly be referencing the sound of a bell, meant to convey the happiness the singer feels
I'm in heaven, I'm in heaven
The singer feels an extreme happiness being with his partner
When you smile
The singer is enchanted by his partner's smile
And when you walk, across the room
Even just watching his partner walk makes the singer's heart skip a beat
You make my heart go, boom boom boom
The singer's heart beats rapidly with happiness and excitement when he's with his partner
Baby, let it all hang out
The singer is urging his partner again to be open and free, and to allow him to see them for who they really are
And every time, you look that way
The singer is drawn to his partner's every movement and glance
Honey child, you make my day
The singer is saying that his partner's presence in his life brings him joy and happiness
Like the man said let it all hang out
The singer is repeating his earlier line about being open and free, and is now framing it as something that someone else has already said
One more time
The singer repeats the chorus one last time to express the depth of his feelings for his partner
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: VAN MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-ip9yu7lp1q
[Van scatting]
Jackie Wilson said
It was "Reet-Petite"
Kind of love you got
Knock me off my feet
Let it all hang out
Oh, let it all hang out
And you know
I'm so wired up
Don't need no coffee in my cup
Let it all hang out
Let it all hang out
Watch this
[Pre-Chorus]Ding-a-ling-a-ling-ding
Do-da-do-da-doo
[Chorus]I'm in heaven When you smile
And when you walk Across the room
You make my heart go
Boom, boom, boom
Baby, let it all hang out
And every time
You look that way
Honey child, you make my day
Let it all hang out
Like the man said
Let it all hang out
Watch this
[Pre-Chorus]
[Chorus]
[Van scatting to conclusion]
@philipshirk2228
"Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile)"
Da, da, da, da, da,
Jackie Wilson said
It was "Reet-Petite"
Kinda love you got
Knock me off my feet
Let it all hang out
Oh, let it all hang out.
And you know
I'm so wired-up
Don't need no coffee in my cup
Let it all hang out
Let it all hang out.
Watch this:
Ding-a-ling-a-ling
Ding-a-ling-a-ling-ding
Ding-a-ling-a-ling
Ding-a-ling-a-ling-ding
Do-da-do-da
I'm in heaven, I'm in heaven
I'm in heaven, when you smile
When you smile, when you smile
When you smile.
And when you walk
Across the room
You make my heart go
Boom-boom-boom
Let it all hang out
Baby, let it all hang out
And ev'ry time
You look that way
Honey chile, you make my day
Let it all hang out
Like the man said: let it all hang out.
Watch this:
Ding-a-ling-a-ling ... etc.
@LostTheBear
One take. One take. If I needed a Recessional for my memorial service, this would do....
@suszy5712
Love it! Been listening to this since 1975. So much fun to dance to!
@jenniferdow5733
Mom, now you're in Heaven, I can smile because you are in Heaven!! I know you hear Van the Man and Jackie Wilson 's with you!! Joey and I love ❤️ & miss you eternally!! Regina Isabella!!
@marknystrom3113
He had so many great songs yet so many people have never heard his name especially the younger generation. This was real music unlike the shit of today. I’d rather get a prostate exam and listen to the music they have today
@bobasher2197
This song proves why " Van is the Man "
@richardmindemann6935
It's simple. As Van says elsewhere, "DJ.....I just want to hear some rhythm and blues music,,, on the radio."
@rcarroll872
Just saw VM in Philly - He (and his terrific band) sang this song in their best high spirits and the clock was magically turned back to '72.
@dyanna_2511
Daisy Jones & The Six introduced me to this masterpiece. Don't know why I never heard it before.
@beenutz57
LMAO. Van Fan forever, actually met Jackie Wilson playing a club in Raleigh NC when I was 14. So I'm with ya.... never heard this at 65 rock years young?!
@drfunken7653
Or the dexys midnight runners cover