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Biography

FREDDIE JACKSON

Love Signals

Since the mid 1980s, Freddie Jackson has been a mainstay on Quiet Storm radio. When the sun went down, the moon rose, the candles were lit, and the wine poured, Freddie Jackson’s classics like “Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)”, “Have You Ever Loved Somebody,” “Jam Tonight,” “Do Me Again,” “Tasty Love,” “You Are My Lady” and “Nice & Slow,”have been a part of our soundtrack for romance.

Known for his sensual slow jams and songs that serenade, the sensual and introspective sides of Freddie Jackson are on full on display on Love Signals(2018), his most recent album. While Love Signalsis classic Freddie including signature romantic ballads and mid-tempo love songs, in many ways, it’s the most personal and introspective release of his distinguished 33-year career. “I’m at a place in my life of quiet, peace and tranquility,”states the legendary crooner. “I’ve taken control of my artistry, songwriting, and made lifestyle changes that have transformed me physically, emotionally, personally, and even spiritually.All those transformations which I’ve embraced are part of what you hear coming through on Love Signals. Each song was carefully curated to send “love signals” of passion, love, and light all over the world,”

A highlight on the album is the self-reflective,“Find My Way,”written by Freddie’s band, JuTaun(Samoeun Cheng, James Evans, Jacob Evans) and produced by James Evans. Not one to rest on his laurels or focused on past glories, “Find My Way” is Jackson’s musical response to the image crafters and consultants who almost turned him into someone he did not recognize. It’s a ballad of self-discovery and the journey he made to rediscover himself that Jackson nearly passed on recording. “I kept overlooking ‘Find My Way,’ for years, thinking that song is not the Freddie that my fans want to hear from, but then something happened in my life that allowed me to hear that song as if for the first time and I said, ‘you know that song that you gave me a few years ago I think I need to record that song.” 

 Ironically,“Find My Way” comes at a significant time in Jackson’s life! “It’s a self-discovery song about reclaiming your identity, reinventing yourself, and living an authentic life.Find My Way is a song that so many of us would relate to as we evolve into becoming who we’re really meant to be,” shares Freddie.“It comes at a time when I feel renewed! I’ve struggled with serious health problems which I’ve overcome and in the midst of those moments I also was trying to re-discover who I am.  As part of my personal journey, I changed my eating habits and started exercising. Almost every day I’m on the treadmill and on Instagram sharing my journey. I’m allowing myself to rest and sleep more. I used to go, go, go but I’m actually taking more time for self-care.  My entire lifestyle changed since I moved out of New York City. I’m hoping that people find their own way when listening and begin making decisions and choices that bring them closer to the vision, they have for themselves.”

 Disturbing images in the news cycle and the current political climate inspired the title track and many of the songs on Love Signals.  Another introspective song is “Save the Child.”While on tour in Texas, Jackson watched a tragic news story on a little girl whose mother drowned in flooding caused by a hurricane. The little girl was still holding her mother’s hand and begging her to wake up when rescuers found her. “They found this little girl holding her dead mother’s hand and that hurt me to my soul. A few days later, another story forced me to wake up early in the morning to write “Save the Child.” He shares.“Every time I cut on the TV, I see tragic news stories connected to children – child abuse, abandonment, sex trafficking – and my spirit was moved to write and record a lyrical appeal “who is going to save the babies?  who is going to protect the child?” imploring people to protect our most vulnerable, the children!”

 Much of Jackson’s success and longevity has come from singing songs that the heart recognizes. From its orchestral opening on “Without You,”the first single released, to “Just For You,”written as a tribute to his now departed mother, one thing that hasn’t changed is Freddie’s recipe for a great love song which he says are “lyrics and melodies sung from the heart.”He explains,“For me, a great R&B ballad is one that comes from the heart and soul.“It has to have a great melody, a beginning, middle and compelling end. And it needs to tell the story of love.”He illustrates by critiquing two of his classics. “Love Is Just A Touch Away’ has a beautiful melody that touches you from the very first note, every time you hear it,”Jackson said. “You hear that opening, and you are like, ‘Yeah that’s my song.” He adds, “Men who don’t know how to say I am sorry will just put on “You are My Lady,” and the next thing they knew they were getting dinner and a little more!You Are My Lady” has gotten a lot of guys out of a lot of trouble.”

Steppers cuts like “Without You,”pick up where “Jam Tonight” left off inviting couples to dance together again.  If you’re seeking another chance for romance or celebrating your anniversary, the mid-tempo ballad “All I Wanna Do,”may be the sentiment you’re looking to express as you renew your vows.  “Hold You Tonight”featuringmaster musician Gerald Albrightspeaks to the heart of a long-suffering lady suggesting that she choose a new love over an absent one.

While the years have added edges to Jackson’s legendary smoothness, the passion and honesty that Jackson brings lyrically can be heard throughout Love Signals.  He became a legend singing about eros – that sensual love shared in places where the lights are dimmed, the wine chilled and the music is slow and low and he hopes that Love Signalswill usher listeners to a more expansive definition of love – a love that sends out signals of peace, love, compassion, and healing to all who listen.“You hear that R&B is dead, but love songs are what the world needs now,”Jackson states. “I am never going to give up on love or the belief everybody needs someone to make or keep them happy, somebody that you can trust and give your all to. I’ve been blessed to create songs that have become the soundtrack for love, but Love Signals is about expanding the  conversation from romantic love to universal love and sending those love signals across the world.”

 Chart History

Billboard Singles

Year Single Chart Peak
2010 I Don’t Wanna Go Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs 69
2007 More Than Friends Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 65
2006 Until The End Of Time Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 44
1999 Do You Wanna Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 77
1995 (I Want To) Thank You Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 63
1995 Rub Up Against You Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 25
1994 Come Home II U Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 94
1994 Was It Something Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 60
1993 Make Love Easy Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 22
1993 Me Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 32
1992 Can I Touch You Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 39
1992 I Could Use A Little Love (Right Now) Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 2
1991 Do Me Again Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 1
1991 Main Course Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 2
1991 Second Time For Love Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 81
1990 All Over You (From “Def By Temptation”) Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 4
1990 Love Me Down Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 1
1989 Crazy (For Me) Dance Music/Club Play Singles 38
1989 Crazy (For Me) Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 17
1989 You And I Got A Thang Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 5
1988 Hey Lover Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 1
1988 Nice N Slow Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales 23
1988 Nice N Slow Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 1
1988 Nice N Slow The Billboard Hot 100 61
1987 Have You Ever Loved Somebody The Billboard Hot 100 69
1987 I Don t Want To Lose Your Love Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 2
1987 Jam Tonight Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 1
1987 Jam Tonight The Billboard Hot 100 32
1987 Look Around Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 69
1986 Have You Ever Loved Somebody Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 1
1986 He ll Never Love You (Like I Do) Adult Contemporary 28
1986 He ll Never Love You (Like I Do) Dance Music/Club Play Singles 19
1986 Love Is Just A Touch Away Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 9
1986 Tasty Love Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales 41
1986 Tasty Love Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 1
1986 Tasty Love The Billboard Hot 100 41
1985 He ll Never Love You (Like I Do) Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 8
1985 He ll Never Love You (Like I Do) The Billboard Hot 100 25
1985 Rock Me Tonight Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales 14
1985 Rock Me Tonight Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 1
1985 Rock Me Tonight The Billboard Hot 100 18
1985 You Are My Lady Adult Contemporary 3
1985 You Are My Lady Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales 47
1985 You Are My Lady Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 1
1985 You Are My Lady The Billboard Hot 100 12

Billboard Albums

Year Album Chart Peak
2012 10 Great Songs R&B Albums 40
2011 10 Great Songs R&B Albums 63
2011 10 Great Songs R&B Albums 66
2007 Greatest Hits R&B Albums 86
2006 Transitions R&B Albums 26
2006 Transitions Top Independent Albums 17
2004 It’s Your Move R&B Albums 45
1999 Life After 30 R&B Albums 81
1995 Private Party R&B Albums 28
1995 Private Party The Billboard 200 188
1994 At Christmas R&B Albums 65
1994 Greatest Hits Of Freddie Jackson R&B Albums 45
1994 Here It Is R&B Albums 11
1994 Here It Is The Billboard 200 66
1992 Time For Love R&B Albums 7
1992 Time For Love The Billboard 200 83
1990 Do Me Again R&B Albums 1
1990 Do Me Again The Billboard 200 59
1988 Don t Let Love Slip Away R&B Albums 1
1988 Don t Let Love Slip Away The Billboard 200 48
1988 Don’t Let Love Slip Away R&B Albums 1
1987 Just Like The First Time The Billboard 200 23
1986 Just Like The First Time R&B Albums 1
1985 Rock Me Tonight R&B Albums 1
1985 Rock Me Tonight The Billboard 200 11