The second verse, while referring to Jackie Wilson, also refers to Jack Kennedy and his assault on racism in US Universitys - http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/jfk-faces-down-defiant-governor - hence the 'You lifted us higher and higher' lyric.
A very clever song that - like many of the greats it refers to - works on many levels.
As an aside... both Marvin Gaye and Jack Kennedy died in tragic circumstances.
The second verse, while referring to Jackie Wilson, also refers to Jack Kennedy and his assault on racism in US Universitys - http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/jfk-faces-down-defiant-governor - hence the 'You lifted us higher and higher' lyric. A very clever song that - like many of the greats it refers to - works on many levels.
As an aside... both Marvin Gaye and Jack Kennedy died in tragic circumstances.