You know that feeling when a song starts and the room just shifts? That’s higher higher jackie wilson. It’s the kind of track that doesn’t just play; it explodes. Technically titled "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher," it is the quintessential soul anthem, but the story behind its creation is way messier and more interesting than the polished final product suggests.
Most people assume it was a Motown hit. It sounds like Motown. It has the bounce of Motown. It even features the legendary Funk Brothers—Motown’s secret weapon house band. But it wasn’t. It was recorded for Brunswick Records in Chicago, and if it weren't for a bit of "moonlighting" and a last-minute change in tempo, we might have ended up with a boring ballad that disappeared into the 1960s ether.
The Secret Motown Connection
Here’s a fun piece of trivia: the guys playing on this record were technically "cheating" on their main employer. Producer Carl Davis knew he needed that specific Detroit magic, so he basically bribed the Funk Brothers. He paid them double scale, in cold hard cash, to drive from Detroit to Chicago to record the backing track.
Bassist James Jamerson, the man who basically invented modern bass playing, is the one providing that iconic, driving line. Along with drummer Richard "Pistol" Allen, they created a groove so tight it’s almost impossible to sit still while listening to it. Even Maurice White, who later founded Earth, Wind & Fire, was in the room on drums for some of these sessions.
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But when Jackie Wilson first walked into the studio to record the vocals, things were... awkward.
The Single-Take Miracle
Jackie initially tried to sing the song like a slow, syrupy soul ballad. Honestly? It was a disaster. Carl Davis had to step in and tell him to "jump and go with the percussion."
Once Jackie caught the vibe, he nailed it. The vocal you hear on the record—the soaring ad-libs, the raw joy, the effortless power—was reportedly captured in just one take. Imagine that. No Auto-Tune, no digital splicing, just a man in a booth in New York City (where he layered his vocals over the Chicago-recorded track) hitting those notes because he felt them.
Breaking Down the Higher and Higher Jackie Wilson Impact
It’s easy to forget how much was at stake for Jackie Wilson in 1967. His career was actually stalling. He’d had hits like "Lonely Teardrops" and "Reet Petite," but he was being seen as a "legacy" act in a rapidly changing musical landscape. Higher higher jackie wilson wasn't just another single; it was his comeback.
The song hit number one on the R&B charts and climbed to number six on the Billboard Hot 100. It proved that "Mr. Excitement" still had the juice to compete with the younger acts coming out of Hitsville U.S.A.
What most people get wrong
A common misconception is that the song was written for Jackie. It wasn't. It was originally cut by The Dells, but it just didn't work for them. Songwriters Gary Jackson, Raynard Miner, and Carl Smith knew the song had potential, but it took Carl Davis’s vision to pair it with Wilson’s high-octane energy.
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Another weird detail? The background singers. Those are The Andantes, Motown’s go-to female backing group. Again, they were moonlighting. The industry was small, the talent was immense, and the rules were... well, flexible if you had enough cash on hand.
Why We Are Still Talking About It in 2026
You’ve probably heard this song at every wedding you’ve ever been to. It’s been in Ghostbusters II, it’s been covered by everyone from Rita Coolidge to Bruce Springsteen, and it’s a staple of political rallies. Why?
Because it’s bulletproof.
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The song captures a very specific type of optimism. It’s not just a love song; it’s an elevation. When Jackie sings about being "lifted," you believe him. His three-octave range allows him to start in a gritty baritone and end up in a crystalline falsetto that feels like it’s actually rising.
A Legacy of Influence
- Michael Jackson was obsessed with Jackie Wilson. He famously dedicated his Thriller Grammy to him.
- Hozier literally named a song "Jackie and Wilson" because the music is so synonymous with a feeling of home and soul.
- The song has been used to introduce presidents and celebrate championship wins, proving its universal appeal.
Actionable Takeaways for Soul Fans
If you want to truly appreciate the genius of higher higher jackie wilson, you shouldn't just stream the radio edit. There are layers to this stuff.
- Listen for the Bass: Next time you play the track, ignore Jackie for a second. Listen to James Jamerson’s bass. It’s doing a melodic dance that shouldn’t work with the percussion, yet it’s the heartbeat of the whole thing.
- Check out the 1980s Renaissance: In the late 80s, Jackie Wilson’s music had a massive comeback in the UK. "Reet Petite" hit number one posthumously, and "Higher and Higher" climbed back into the top 15. The music is timeless.
- Watch the live footage: Find a clip of Jackie performing this live. His "boxing steps," the knee drops, the splits—he was doing everything Michael Jackson and Prince later became famous for, but he was doing it in a suit and tie in 1967.
- Compare the Covers: Listen to the Rita Coolidge version. It’s a slow-burn disco-pop take. It’s good, but it highlights exactly how much "fire" Jackie brought to the original.
Jackie Wilson tragically suffered a stroke on stage in 1975 and never fully recovered, passing away in 1984. But every time that snare hit starts the intro to "Higher and Higher," he’s back. He’s vibrant. And he’s still lifting us up.