Wilson Pickett (March 18, 1941 – January 19, 2006) was an American R&B and … Read Full Bio ↴Wilson Pickett (March 18, 1941 – January 19, 2006) was an American R&B and soul singer. Known for his raw, passionate delivery, he played a major role in developing southern soul music. Aided immeasurably by the excellent studio bands backing him at the Stax Studios in Memphis, Tennessee and at the Fame Studio in Muscle Shoals Alabama, Pickett created iconic hits such as "In the Midnight Hour," "Mustang Sally," and "Funky Broadway" for Atlantic Records between 1963 and 1972.

One of the most popular black singers of the 60s, Wilson Pickett helped introduce the aggressive, rhythmic style of black music to a wide audience and has influenced almost countless rnb artists over the years. It all got started in Prattville, Alabama, where he was raised. Pickett moved to Detroit, Michigan at the age of sixteen, and he made his professional debut spending several years singing with the gospel group The Violinaires in the late 50s. From 1961 to 1963, he was in The Falcons, writing and singing their 1962 hit "I Found A Love".

Pickett then went solo and signed with Lloyd Price's Double L Records, where he wrote and recorded "If You Love Me" and "It's Too Late." In 1964, Pickett signed with Atlantic Records and did his early recordings in the Stax studio in Memphis, Tennessee with Booker T. Jones and Steve Cropper of The MGs. Cropper co-authored three of his early hits, "In the Midnight Hour" and "Don't Fight It from his debut album The Exciting Wilson Pickett that established him as a major soul star. The album also included "Ninety-Nine and a Half (Won't Do)," "She's So Good to Me," and "Land of a 1,000 Dances," all recorded at Fame Studio in Muscle Shoals.

Pickett then had hits with "Mustang Sally," "I Found a Love," and "Funky Broadway," all recorded in Muscle Shoals. Pickett then teamed with Bobby Womack in 1968 for Midnight Mover that yielded a Top 10 R7B and pop hit with Womack's title song. In 1969, Pickett had a major hit with The Beatles "Hey Jude,", followed in 1970 by "Sugar, Sugar." Later in 1970, Pickett worked with producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia. The result was two crossover hits "Engine Number Nine," and "Don't Let the Green Grass Fool You."

After crossover hits "Don't Knock My Love - Part 1" and "Fire and Water" Pickett left Atlantic for RCA, with minimum success. Pickett later recorded for several record companies, including his own Wicked label, but failed to have anymore hits.

Wilson Pickett was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.In 1999 he performed with his friend Bruce Springsteen.In 2002 he performed in the movie Only The Strong Survive.Singing his classic hits like In the Midnight hour and Land Of 1000 Dances.In 2004 Pickett retired from performing do to Health problems.Pickett told his sister he was going to the field of God but he never recovered.

On January 19,2006 Pickett died of a heart attack at his home. At his funeral long time friend Richard Pennimen (Little Richard) did a eulogy for Mr Pickett with his brothers at his funeral.

Pickett's Personal life was troubled. In 1993 he struck a pedestrian Pepe Ruiz. Later that year Ruiz died. Soul Singer Don Covay called him "Young and Wild". Pickett was arrested many times in his life.

She's Lookin' Good
Wilson Pickett Lyrics

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Huh, looky-here
You got the kind of lovin'
Make a man lose his mind
Got that little somethin'
That makes me know that you're mine, looky-here
You're lookin' good, you're lookin' so good
All right, you're lookin' good
Just like I knew that you would

All right, looky-here
When ya call my name, baby
Ya call me mister clean
I'm gonna give you lovin'
That you ain't never seen, hey
You lookin' good, you're lookin' so good, all right
You lookin' good
Just like I knew that you would
All right, looky-here
When you wear your wigs, baby
You wear your dresses tight
You wear your foxy fur, baby
When you step out late at night, hey
You lookin' good
Oh-oh-oh, so good, looky-here
You lookin' good
Just like I knew that you would, allright, looky-here

Mama, get your mojo
Papa, get your gun
I'm gonna steal your daughter
I'm gonna be your son

You're lookin' good ha, lookin' so good
Looky-here, she lookin' good
Just like I knew that you would, all right, looky-here now
Huh, all right
One thing, ya make me all right, huh, make it all right
Ya make me holler, hey-huh-hey
Ya make me feel good, huh, you make me feel good
Looky-here, ya all ya make me holler, hey

All right, hey
Cha-ka-ka-ka-ka, you make it all right

Overall Meaning

Wilson Pickett's "She's Lookin' Good" is a classic R&B song that was released in 1967. The lyrics of the song are about how the singer's love interest looks good and how much she excites him. The song starts with Pickett stating that his love interest has something that makes him lose his mind. It is said that he loves the woman's style and praises her beauty. Pickett compares her to the image he had in his mind, saying that she is precisely what he was looking for.

When the woman calls his name, he says that she calls him "Mr. Clean." It could be because he is going to treat her right and show her love like no one else ever could. The lyrics suggest that the woman has rocked his world. The songwriter praises the woman by talking about her style, her wigs, her dresses, and her fur. The chorus repeats that she is looking good just as he imagined.

The bridge of the song changes the tone a bit. The singer's lyrics imply that he is willing to do whatever it takes to be with her. He goes as far as saying that he would even steal her from her parents. The song concludes with Pickett repeating the chorus, which shows how much he is in awe of this woman and how much he desires her.

Line by Line Meaning

Huh, looky-here
Hey, listen to me

You got the kind of lovin'
You have a very special kind of love

Make a man lose his mind
It's so good that it will drive a man crazy

Got that little somethin'
You have something special

That makes me know that you're mine, looky-here
That shows me that you belong to me

You're lookin' good, you're lookin' so good
You look great

All right, you're lookin' good
You're looking really good

Just like I knew that you would
Exactly as I expected

When ya call my name, baby
When you say my name

Ya call me mister clean
You see me as a clean and good man

I'm gonna give you lovin'
I will love you