Walter Jackson was an R&B singer with a big band pop soul sound. When first starting to perform he seemed destined to make a tremendous impact, but for some reason fell just short of this prediction. Never the less some feel the Walter left a collection of some of the finest R&B music from that era. Crippled from childhood with Polio, Walter was on crutches most of his life. Yet his disability enhanced his performances more than detract from them. It seemed to give him an ability to interpret and project his music with a much deeper emotion and never dampened his ambition or enthusiasm. During his lifetime, as with so many artist of that era, he never found a way to connect with more than a few fans outside R&B circles. Whether “not in tune with the times” or perhaps “ahead of the times” he none-the-less has left us with a collection of unbelievable music.
Walter and his parents moved to Detroit when he was still a baby and there he later attended Northwestern High School singing whenever he had the opportunity. His first recording experience came in 1959 as lead singer with a local group, the Velvetones (Ronald Head, Neil Magby, Bobby Jones and Mary Nicholson). After the group broke up, he unsuccessfully auditioned for Motown. Then in 1962 he got his first real break. Okeh Records A&R director, Carl Davis was in a local piano bar one evening and by chance heard Walter performing. Davis’ first impression of Walter’s commanding voice was that of Nat “King” Cole, Joe Williams, Arthur Prysock or Billy Eckstine. Actually Walter was influenced more by these pop singers than by gospel singers. Davis arranged for Walter to join him in Chicago at the studio along with Curtis Mayfield, Van McCoy and other top writers. His solo career began with the first release in 1962 “I Don't Want to Suffer” which only made a little splash, but got Walter noticed. In 1963 “That’s What Mama Say” was released followed by "Funny (Not Much)" and “It’s All Over” in 1964. The latter of these issues made the R&B charts and was An R&B hit, but neither had any crossover success. In 1965 “Welcome Home” reached No 15 in the R&B chart, and “Suddenly I'm All Alone” reached No 13. In 1966 when Davis left Okeh, Ted Cooper took over the production of Walter’s recordings and created enough of a pop sound to push Jackson into the spotlight. In 1966 he released "Speak Her Name" and "It's an Uphill Climb to the Bottom". These were both solid R&B hits the latter, his biggest, peaking at No. 11 on the R&B charts. But in 1967 his powerful version of “My Ship Is Comin' In” did not chart. Despite the obvious pop crossover potential of his recordings, he remained unknown to most white listeners. Then with the record company fading Walter moved to Epic, unfortunately with little success. A minor hit ended the 60's, “Any Way That You Want Me” on the Cotillion label.
In the 1973 Walter again teamed up with Davis at the Chi-Sound label later releasing covers of songs like Morris Albert’s, "Feelings" in 1976 and Peter Frampton’s, "Baby I Love Your Way" in 1977. After the release of several albums with his now signature pop and mainstream sound, but with diminishing health, Walter reluctantly retired from performing.
In 1982 Kelli-Arts label issued “Touching in the Dark” b/w “If I Had a Chance”. Walter Jackson passed away from a cerebral hemorrhage in 1983. Three days earlier Chi-Sound released “It's Cool” and after his passing a memorial album was released. Since then numerous greatest hits and commemoration albums have been released.
His music influenced many artists that followed. Among them, Luther Vandross, Barry White, Freddie Jackson and Teddy Pendergrass. His music lives on, leaving his old fans with great enjoyment as well as winning over many new fans to the magic of his Chicago, big band soul sound.
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Feelings
Walter Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trying to forget my feelings of love
Teardrops rolling down on my face
Trying to forget my feelings of love
Feelings, for all my life, I'll feel it
I wish I've never met you, girl
You'll never come again
Feeling, woah oh oh, feeling
Woah oh oh, feel you again in my arms
Feelings, feelings
Like I've never lost you
And feelings like I'll never
Have you again in my heart
Feelings, for all my life, I'll feel it
I wish I've never met you, girl
You'll never come again
Feelings, feelings
Like I've never lost you
And feelings like I'll never
Have you again in my life
Feeling, woah oh oh, feeling
Woah oh oh, feel you again in my arms
In this song, Walter Jackson sings about the lingering feelings of love and heartbreak. He tries to forget his emotions for a girl, but tears roll down his face as he struggles to let go of his love for her. He expresses the perpetual nature of his feelings, as though they will never truly leave him. He even wishes he had never met this girl because the pain of losing her is too much to bear. However, despite his efforts to move on, he still longs to hold her in his arms again, even though he knows it will likely never happen.
Line by Line Meaning
Feelings, nothing more than feelings
Emotions that lack substance or depth
Trying to forget my feelings of love
Attempting to erase memories of affection
Teardrops rolling down on my face
Crying due to emotional distress
Feelings, for all my life, I'll feel it
Sensations that will persist indefinitely
I wish I've never met you, girl
Regretting the encounter with a female companion
You'll never come again
Anticipating that a loved one will not return
Feelings, woah oh oh, feeling
Experiencing intense and overwhelming emotion
Woah oh oh, feel you again in my arms
Yearning to hold a significant other once more
Feelings, feelings
Strong sensations or emotions
Like I've never lost you
Feeling as if a loved one has not left
And feelings like I'll never
Sensing that a significant other will not return
Have you again in my heart
Desiring someone to occupy a place in one's affections
Feelings, feelings
Intense and profound sentiments
Like I've never lost you
Experiencing emotion as if a loved one is still present
And feelings like I'll never
Believing that a significant other will never return
Have you again in my life
Wishing to be with someone once more
Feeling, woah oh oh, feeling
Experiencing overwhelming emotion
Woah oh oh, feel you again in my arms
Desiring to hold a significant other once more
Contributed by Sophia I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
srcourtofficer
THIS IS THE BEST VERSION OF THIS SONG. MAY HE REST IN PEACE.
Eric Fleetwood
I never really liked this song, but when Walter Jackson sings it I could listen to it all day.
Gregory Batiste
Those are my exact sentiments.
Steve Thornton
this man put this out there like he has lived my life top to bottom.takes me back and down at times..but I love the guy.....
Preston Barnes
His puts emotions into this song. I FEEL it.
John Corbin
great singer and one in my opinion unrated. Walter was a supreme vocalist and still is a joy to listen to.
Cassandra Welch
This song is so lovable Walter Jackson had an amazing voice.
Burma James
I first saw/heard Walter Jackson in the 60s at a stage show at the original Regal Theater in Chicago. I wasn't even in my teens yet and, when he came out on stage, it was a shock to see this man come forward on crutches. (All performers I'd seen at my very few stage shows came with polish and with slick choreography...what?) But when he opened his mouth and poured forth that liquid black velvet, all I became aware of was his eloquent, emotive voice. Thank you, coolcat60s, for posting Walter Jackson's beautiful, superb version of this song!
paha hall
Walter Jackson was before his time, his voice was oh so so smooth. I love his voice and can listen to him all day. He will never come again.
Eva Hamilton
One of my favorite songs, by this great man.