Wilson released the track on single in August 1967, backed with “I’m the One to Do It” and it became one of his best loved hits.

“(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” has one of the great intros in 60s pop, with a catchy bassline, intricate percussion and infectious guitar chords. From the start, the song has a feel good mood, which Jackie only adds to with his enthusiastic and energetic vocals.

Here’s a live version, which is slightly faster than the original and features Jackie in good vocal form, although a little less polished than in the studio due to the lively dance moves.

Jackie Wilson – “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher”

Authorship

“(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” was written by Gary Jackson, Carl Smith, Billy Davis and Raynard Miner. The song was originally credited to Jackson and Smith only, but Davis and Miner successfully sued on the grounds that it was their composition which Jackson and Smith had simply amended.

Recording date/location

The backing track for “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” was recorded on July 6, 1967 at Columbia Studios, Chicago, Illinois. Wilson’s vocal was added shortly afterwards in New York.

Musicians

Jackie Wilson was expertly backed by the following musicians on “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher”:

• James Jamerson – bass
• Richard “Pistol” Allen – drums
• Robert White – guitar
• Johnny Griffith – keyboards.

The musicians were members of Motown’s legendary Funk Brothers house band and were moonlighting for Columbia producer Carl Davis.

Backing vocals were provided by Pat Lewis, as well as two members of the Motown house session singers, the Adantes, namely Jackie Hicks and Marlene Barrow.

Chart performance

“(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 on October 1, 1967. This was Wilson’s sixth and final top ten hit on the Hot 100. The song also reached number one on Billboard’s R&B chart.

The track reached number 11 when released on single in the UK in 1969 and number 15 when re-released in 1987. The latter appearance was during a popular period for the late star on the UK charts, with “Reet Petite” and “Get The Sweetest Feeling” reaching number one and three, respectively.

Covers

Rita Coolidge – “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher”

Rita Coolidge had her first hit for years with a cover of “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” in 1977. Her version was a bigger hit than Wilson’s, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The production is typical of the disco era, but remains appealing with the slower tempo and heartfelt vocals.

Rita’s cover was also the opening track on her 1977 album “Anytime…Anywhere.”

Bruce Springsteen – “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher”

Springsteen has been performing “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” on and off for decades. Bruce really embraced the spirit of the song and delivered a fun, singalong version during his appearance at the Spectrum on the “Working on a Dream” tour in 2009.

There will be a new Song of the Week on May 2.

Jackie Wilson’s “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” is available on many compilation albums, including the two-CD collection “Best of the Original Soul Brother.”

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Jackie Wilson – Best of the Original Soul Brother (2 CDs)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now

“To Be Loved” – Jackie Wilson

Jackie Wilson was an outstanding performer with a brilliant voice and impressive stage presence. Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson were among his fans. “To Be Loved” was one of nine hit singles composed for Jackie Wilson by Berry Gordy, Jr., Gordy’s sister Gwen and Roquel Davis. Others included the fabulous “Reet Petite” and “Lonely Teardrops.” “To Be Loved” was a top 20 hit in the US and UK.

“True Love Ways” – Buddy Holly

Buddy Holly’s finest ballad was co-written with Norman Petty and recorded with the Ray Ellis orchestra in October 1958. “True Love Ways” was released posthumously on the album “The Buddy Holly Story, Vol. 2″ and was also a hit single in the UK (b/w “Moonbeams” and US (b/w “That Makes it Tough”.)

“Can’t Help Falling In Love” – Elvis Presley

This is one of Elvis Presley’s best loved ballads. “Can’t Help Falling In Love” was recorded for the Blue Hawaii soundtrack in 1961 and has since featured on countless compilations. Many artists have covered this song, including U2 and UB40, but Elvis’ remains the definitive performance. It was later used to close Elvis’ shows throughout the ’70s.

“Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” – The Shirelles

The Shirelles’ “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” was one of the truly great pop songs of the early 1960s. It was recorded in 1960 and in 1961 became the first song by an all-girl group to hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The Shirelles were Shirley Owens, Doris Coley, Beverly Lee and Addie ‘Micki’ Harris.

“Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” was one of many classic songs written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, including “Up On the Roof” (the Drifters), “One Fine Day” (the Chiffons), and “I’m Into Something Good” (Herman’s Hermits).

“And I Love Her” – The Beatles

We conclude with a 1964 classic from The Beatles. “And I Love Her” featured in the movie “A Hard Day’s Night” and the soundtrack album for that movie, and was also released as a single (b/w “If I Fell”). The song was written mainly by Paul McCartney, but John Lennon possibly had input on the middle eight. This is a stand out ballad from The Beatles in a period where they were churning out one classic song after another.