Jackie Wilson – (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher

There are so many versions of this song out there and I like many of them… its that good of song. I couldn’t decide on which version so I said what the hell… let’s do another version also. Rita Coolidge’s version is the other song I covered today.

This was originally recorded by the vocal group The Dells. It was written by the blind songwriter and producer from Chicago, Raynard Miner, who worked on the original version with Billy Davis of Chess Records and producer Carl Smith.

Davis allowed another songwriter in the Chess stable, Gary Jackson, to make some changes and pitch the song, with Davis removed from the credits. Jackson got the song to Brunswick Records, and they recorded it with their artist Jackie Wilson before The Dells could release their version.

A publishing deal for the song was reached with Brunswick after Chess producer/A&R head, Billy Davis intervened. Writing credits were agreed with Smith, Miner, Jackson and Billy Davis all named. Later, Davis removed his credit and BMI now lists the song as by the three other writers.

The song peaked at #6 on the Billboard 100 in 1967.

From Songfacts

The Dells version is titled “Higher And Higher” and has the refrain, “My love keeps on growing higher and higher.”

Wilson recorded this in Chicago with members of The Funk Brothers, who were Motown’s house band. As detailed in the documentary Standing In The Shadows Of Motown, these musicians were responsible for the distinctive Motown sound, but they didn’t make much money and moonlighted by playing sessions for artists like Wilson. Playing on this track were bassist James Jamerson, drummer Richard “Pistol” Allen, guitarist Robert White, and keyboardist Johnny Griffith.

This song first charted in the UK in 1969, peaking at #11, and then again when it was re-issued in 1975 and 1987.

A cover version by Rita Coolidge in 1977 reached US #2. It was a much slower version and the title was amended slightly to “(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher And Higher.”

From Songfacts

The Dells version is titled “Higher And Higher” and has the refrain, “My love keeps on growing higher and higher.”

Wilson recorded this in Chicago with members of The Funk Brothers, who were Motown’s house band. As detailed in the documentary Standing In The Shadows Of Motown, these musicians were responsible for the distinctive Motown sound, but they didn’t make much money and moonlighted by playing sessions for artists like Wilson. Playing on this track were bassist James Jamerson, drummer Richard “Pistol” Allen, guitarist Robert White, and keyboardist Johnny Griffith.

This song first charted in the UK in 1969, peaking at #11, and then again when it was re-issued in 1975 and 1987.

A cover version by Rita Coolidge in 1977 reached US #2. It was a much slower version and the title was amended slightly to “(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher And Higher.”

(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher

Your love, lifting me higher
Than I’ve ever been lifted before
So keep it it up
Quench my desire
And I’ll be at your side, forever more

You know your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on lifting (love keeps lifting me)
Higher (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
I said your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on (love keeps lifting me)
Lifting me (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
Now listen

Now once, I was down-hearted
Disappointment, was my closest friend
But then you, came and it soon departed
And you know he never
Showed his face again

That’s why your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on lifting (love keeps lifting me)
Higher (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
I said your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on (love keeps lifting me)
Lifting me (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)

I’m so glad, I’ve finally found you
Yes that one, in a million girls
And I whip, my loving arms around you
I can stand up, and face the world

Let me tell ya, your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on lifting (love keeps lifting me)
Higher (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
I said your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on (love keeps lifting me)
Lifting me (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)

Now sock it to me
Hold me, the other woman
Keep my love going
Higher and higher
I said keep on lifting
Lift me up mama
Keep on lifting me
Higher and higher

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/(Your_Love_Keeps_Lifting_Me)_Higher_and_Higher