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.
The Night We Called It A Day
Wilson Pickett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But a cloud drifted over it's face
You kissed me and went on your way
The night we called it a day
I heard the song of the spheres
Like a minor lament in my ears
I hadn't the heart left to pray
Soft through the dark
The hoot of an owl in the sky
Sad though his song
No bluer was he than I
The moon went down stars were gone
But the sun didn't rise with the dawn
There wasn't a thing left to say
The night we called it a day
There wasn't a thing left to say
The night we called it a day
The Night We Called It A Day is a beautiful and poignant song by Wilson Pickett that speaks about the end of a relationship, when everything has been said and there's nothing more to do. The opening lines set a lonely atmosphere as the moon is obscured by clouds, indicating that something isn't quite right. Pickett then goes on to describe the sorrowful feeling after the end of a relationship, when the heart is heavy and there is no will left for prayer, in spite of the beautiful hymns of nature.
The next verse is particularly beautiful as Pickett describes the hoot of an owl in the sky, in keeping with the lonely setting, and how even the bird's song is sad. Pickett's analogy to the moon and stars disappearing and the sun not rising in the morning is an incredibly clever one, as it beautifully encompasses the feeling of a relationship ending, where the light and hope that one once had is gone, and life feels dark and empty. The last line emphasizes this - "There wasn't a thing left to say / The night we called it a day" - as one has come to the realization that it's time to move on, and there is nothing more that can be done or said.
In summary, The Night We Called It A Day is a hauntingly beautiful love ballad about the end of a relationship. The song evokes a feeling of immense sadness and loneliness, perfectly captured through Pickett's use of exquisite imagery and poetic language.
Line by Line Meaning
There was a moon out in space
The sky was illuminated by the presence of the moon
But a cloud drifted over it's face
A cloud passed over the moon, obscuring its light
You kissed me and went on your way
You gave me a goodbye kiss and left me alone
The night we called it a day
The night when we ended our relationship
I heard the song of the spheres
I felt a cosmic sadness in the air
Like a minor lament in my ears
As if the universe was mourning our loss
I hadn't the heart left to pray
I was too heartbroken to even pray for comfort
Soft through the dark
The darkness was quiet and peaceful
The hoot of an owl in the sky
I heard the mournful hooting of an owl
Sad though his song
The owl's song sounded melancholy
No bluer was he than I
The owl and I both shared a deep sadness
The moon went down stars were gone
Nighttime had ended and the stars disappeared
But the sun didn't rise with the dawn
The new day had begun, but it offered me no comfort
There wasn't a thing left to say
Our relationship had ended and there was nothing else to discuss
The night we called it a day
The night that marked the end of our relationship
There wasn't a thing left to say
Our words had been spoken and couldn't change the outcome
Contributed by Maria Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.