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.
Toe Hold
Wilson Pickett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everything I got I had to pay for it on time, but that's all right
Long as I got a toe hold, long as I got a piece of you
Long as I got a toe hold, I can make it through
Look here, I said I went to see a doctor, baby talk about his malnutrition
Now I don't try to be a fat man; I gotta look about my ambition, look here
Long as I got a toe hold, long as I got a piece of you
A li-li-li-li-li-li-li-li toe hold, a li-li-li-li-li-li-li-li toe hold, hey!
So baby, if you're with me, let the whole world be against me
I don't expect to ever get rich, I'm doin' fine, me diggin' a ditch; that's all right
Long as I got a toe hold, long as I got a piece of you
Long as I got a toe hold, I can make it through
Ah, ooo baby, ow, good God!
Wilson Pickett's "Toe Hold" is a song about struggle and resilience. The lyrics describe the hardships that the singer has faced throughout his life, but despite his struggles, he finds comfort in having a "toe hold" - a small, but vital connection - with someone he loves. He explains that, as long as he has this connection, he can make it through any obstacle.
The first stanza paints a picture of a hard life; the singer has always been poor, and has had to work hard to earn even small amounts of money. However, he is not discouraged, as long as he has a "toe hold" - as long as he has someone to love and hold onto - he knows he can make it through.
In the second stanza, he talks about a visit to the doctor due to malnutrition. He realizes that he needs to take care of himself and be ambitious, but again, as long as he has someone to hold onto, he knows he can persevere.
In the final stanza, he says that he does not expect to ever get rich, but as long as he has his "toe hold," he is content with his life. He is willing to face whatever challenges come his way, as long as he has the love and support of this special person.
Line by Line Meaning
All my life I've been a poor boy; it's been hard to get a dime
I have lived a life of poverty and have struggled to make ends meet.
Everything I got I had to pay for it on time, but that's all right
I have had to pay for everything I own on credit, but I am okay with it.
Long as I got a toe hold, long as I got a piece of you
As long as I have a small portion of your love or attention, I can persevere.
Look here, I said I went to see a doctor, baby talk about his malnutrition
I recently visited a doctor who warned me about my poor health.
Now I don't try to be a fat man; I gotta look about my ambition, look here
I am not striving to be overweight and am instead focusing on achieving my goals.
A li-li-li-li-li-li-li-li toe hold, a li-li-li-li-li-li-li-li toe hold, hey!
The chorus repeats the importance of having a small portion of love or attention to persevere.
So baby, if you're with me, let the whole world be against me
As long as you support me, I can withstand any obstacle that comes my way.
I don't expect to ever get rich, I'm doin' fine, me diggin' a ditch; that's all right
I am content with my work and do not need to become wealthy to be happy.
Ah, ooo baby, ow, good God!
An exclamation of ecstasy and joy.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID PORTER, ISAAC HAYES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind