Deon Jackson, Love Makes the World Go Round | 1 Hit WONDERful

In the 26th edition of 1 Hit WONDERful (2024), we highlight “Love Makes the World Go Round” performed by Deon Jackson. 

It only takes ONE hit to solidify a musical legacy 💯! On 1 Hit WONDERful, we highlight songs that were the SOLE hit by a given musician.  It is possible that the artists appearing on this list earned a minor hit or two, BUT for the most part, that ONE hit earned them recognition. So, in the 26^th edition of 1 Hit WONDERful (2024), we dive into “Love Makes the World Go Round” the one-hit wonder by Deon Jackson.

“You know love makes the world go round.” R&B singer/songwriter Deon Jackson had a legitimate point.  He adds in “Love Makes the World Go Round” (released in December 1965), “And love makes the seesaws go up and down / And it makes trees grow tall / And the most important thing of all / It makes a boy and a girl, oh / Say they feel so fine, now.” He wrote and originally performed the opening track from his album,  Love Makes the World Go Round, released in July 1966. “Love” debuted at no. 99 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1966. It missed the top 10, peaking at no. 11 in March ‘66. Although he’d chart on the pop charts thrice, “Love Makes the World Go Round” was his sole top 40 entry.

The one hit from Deon Jackson is an elite and sweet one.  His lead vocals are smooth and soulful. Did he ever break a sweat while recording “Love Makes the World Go Round?” It doesn’t sound like it. He sings expressively without forcing things.  This is a playful cut, a common sound of songs from the 60s. “Love” is groovy from the beginning, where the beloved riff first appears in all its glory. Janet Jackson sampled the classic on her naughty song, “Strawberry Bounce” from 2004.  There is nothing naughty about  “Love Makes the World Go Round” with its innocent, dreamy, pro-love lyrics. “Without love, flowers wouldn’t grow in the spring,” Jackson asserts, adding, “And without spring, yeah, the birdies just couldn’t sing / Everybody needs love.”  Maybe “These facts of love” aren’t scientifically accurate, but Jackson’s heart and pen were in the right place.  From the vintage, joyful instrumental (piano, biting horns) and Jackson’s awesome singing and writing, the brief but potent “Love Makes the World Go Round” is special – unforgettable, baby!

Deon Jackson // Love Makes the World Go Round // Warner Music Group – X5 Music Group // 1966

Deon Jackson, Love Makes the World Go Round: 1 Hit WONDERful No. 26 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Warner Music Group – X5 Music Group; Elias Souza from Pexels; OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]