To Be Loved – Jackie Wilson

About the Song

Step back to 1957, the dawn of the rock and roll era. A time of youthful rebellion and electrifying rhythms. Yet, amidst the greaser jackets and ducktail haircuts, a different kind of voice emerged: Jackie Wilson, with his smooth tenor and soulful delivery. His debut single, “To Be Loved,” wasn’t just a song; it was a plea for connection, a yearning for love that resonated with a generation.

“To Be Loved” is a masterclass in early R&B. The arrangement is simple yet effective, featuring a driving bassline, a steady backbeat, and shimmering chords from the piano and guitar. The secret weapon, however, is Wilson’s voice. He doesn’t roar; he coos, his vocals filled with both desperation and hope as he sings of his longing to be loved.

The lyrics are straightforward yet potent. Lines like “I don’t want much, just a little love from you” capture the universal desire for connection and acceptance. The song isn’t a boastful declaration of machismo; it’s a vulnerable plea, a young man laying bare his emotions and yearning for a love to reciprocate his feelings.

“To Be Loved” wasn’t just a hit song; it was a cultural touchstone. It reached number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 7 on the R&B chart, launching Jackie Wilson’s incredible career. More importantly, the song resonated with listeners across generations. Its timeless message of yearning and vulnerability continues to connect with anyone who has ever felt the ache of loneliness or the hope for a love to call their own.

Even today, “To Be Loved” retains its charm. It serves as a reminder of the simplicity and power of genuine connection, a sentiment that transcends age and musical trends. It’s a song that makes you want to sway to the rhythm, close your eyes, and sing along, yearning for that feeling of being truly loved.

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Lyrics: “To Be Loved”

Someone to care
Someone to share
Lonely hours and moments of despair
To be loved, to be loved
Oh what a feeling to be loved

Someone to kiss
Someone to miss
When you’re away
To here for me today
To be love, to be loved
Oh what a feeling to be loved

Some wish to be a king or a queen
Some wish for fortune and fame
But to be, truly, truly, truly loved is
More than all of these things

Someone to kiss
Someone to miss
When you’re away to here for me today
To be loved, to be love, to be love
Oh what a feeling to be loved
To be loved, to be loved, oh what a feeling
To be loved