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.
Soul Dance Number Three
Wilson Pickett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now everybody's talkin' about all the brand new dances
But I've got 3 that I'm gonna do for you, lord have mercy
I'm gonna start with a dance now, baby, called the boogaloo
You know that one, don't you?
Everybody's groovin', baby; it's gonna move you too
Gonna make you feel all right
I'm gonna move up & down & do the skate, look here baby
& when you get that feelin', baby, you're gonna look real great
Lord have mercy
Oh help me! Help me! Ow! Get it, get it, get it, get it, ow!
Wait a minute, everybody, look a-here! I've got a brand new dance
The whole wide world now, baby, is doin' the shing-a-ling
You've heard about it, aint you?
When you move your hips, lord have mercy, & raise your hand
Look here now, baby
Shake it from side to side, baby; that's the shing-a-ling
Oh I like that one; now get it, get it, hey! Lord have mercy
Do the shing-a-ling now, baby; wow ow!
Get it, get it, get it, lord have mercy, do the shing-a-ling, etc.
...& fade
The lyrics to Wilson Pickett's song Soul Dance Number Three are about three different dances that the singer is going to perform for the listener. The first dance is called the boogaloo, which is a popular African-American dance that originated in the 1960s. The dance involves a lot of hip and leg movement, and it was commonly accompanied by funk and soul music. Pickett encourages the listener to get up and dance along with him, describing how it will make them feel all right.
The second dance Pickett describes is the skate, which involves moving up and down in a skating motion. He tells the listener that when they try this dance and get the feeling for it, they will look great. Pickett's third and final dance is the shing-a-ling, which involves moving the hips and raising the hands. The dance was popular in the 1960s and was often seen in dance clubs and party scenes. Pickett again encourages the listener to try the dance and join in on the fun.
Overall, the lyrics to Soul Dance Number Three are about having a good time and expressing oneself through dance. Pickett's energetic and rhythmic voice invites the listener to let loose and join in on the fun with these classic dances. The song is emblematic of the time period in which it was produced, featuring lively beats and an upbeat message that encourages people to enjoy themselves and take part in popular culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Now everybody's talkin' about all the brand new dances
There are many new dances that people are excited about
But I've got 3 that I'm gonna do for you, lord have mercy
Despite all the new dances, the artist is going to perform three specific dances
I'm gonna start with a dance now, baby, called the boogaloo
The first dance is called the boogaloo
You know that one, don't you?
Assuming the audience is familiar with the boogaloo
Everybody's groovin', baby; it's gonna move you too
The boogaloo is a popular dance that will also make the audience move
Gonna make you feel all right
The artist promises that the dance will make everyone feel good
I'm gonna move up & down & do the skate, look here baby
The artist will also include moves called the 'skate' in the boogaloo
& when you get that feelin', baby, you're gonna look real great
When the audience gets into the dance, they will look good doing it
Wait a minute, everybody, look a-here! I've got a brand new dance
The artist has another new dance to introduce
The whole wide world now, baby, is doin' the shing-a-ling
The shing-a-ling is a new dance that is becoming popular everywhere
You've heard about it, aint you?
The artist assumes that the audience has already heard of the shing-a-ling
When you move your hips, lord have mercy, & raise your hand
The shing-a-ling requires moving hips and raising hands
Shake it from side to side, baby; that's the shing-a-ling
The main move of the shing-a-ling is shaking side to side
Oh I like that one; now get it, get it, hey! Lord have mercy
The artist enjoys the shing-a-ling and encourages the audience to do it too
Do the shing-a-ling now, baby; wow ow!
The artist wants the audience to try the shing-a-ling now
Get it, get it, get it, lord have mercy, do the shing-a-ling, etc.
Encouraging the audience to keep doing the shing-a-ling and enjoy it
Contributed by Lincoln Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Hamilton Britto
Fã de Little Richardsma voz rouca, bruta e uma imensa entrega nas interpretações; também uma personalidade complicada e agressiva. Mas foi um dos caras mais importantes na história da soul music americana , do R&B e do Rock'n Roill..
26 discos e uns 60 compactos e composições suas gravadas por Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Grateful Dead, Booker T. & the M.G.'s, Gênesis, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Hootie & the Blowfish, Echo & the Bunnymen, Roxy Music, Bruce Springsteen, Los Lobos, The Jam e Ani DiFranco, entre outros..
Nunca vi ninguém dizer, mas acho que Janis se inspirou na voz dele
Cynicallad Very
Muscle shoals.. how good were they !!?
Antonio Betancourt
con el alma....
Michael Nix Jr. Family Members
Mikey's Oldies But Goodies.
Jim Jackson
Yes!
kordier
Tuff enuff.