Greene was interested in music from an early age. As a child, he taught himself to play the piano and subsequently the guitar. At 16 he started sitting in for local bands. As he got older he started composing his own songs and ended up playing in coffee-houses. He recorded a demo in his garage called “Rusty Nails”.
When he was 17 he moved to Sacramento and started getting local notice. Marty DeAnda owner of local label DIG Records, noticed him and Greene became the label's first artist. Jackie released his second CD “Gone Wandering” in 2002; winning him a California music award as Best Blues Roots album. In 2004 he released “Sweet Somewhere Bound” and received radio play with singles“Honey I Been Thinking About You” and “Seven Jealous Sisters”. In early 2005 Greene got signed with blues label Verve Forecast and the label released “Sweet Somewhere Bound". In 2006 he released “American Myth” his first major label release.
Subsequent albums include Giving Up the Ghost (2008), Small Tempest (2009), Till the Light Comes (2010).
In March 2013 Greene began performing as a member of The Black Crowes.
www.jackiegreene.com
Judgement Day
Jackie Greene Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He’s trying every day to survive
He makes his way, through the night and through the day
Sayin: “don’t it feel so good to be alive?”
Ah but I don’t want to end up like him
For he’s down on his knees every hour to pray
Sayin: “Lord, I been so good, just like I knew I should
She speaks good French sitting pretty on the bench
But I know she’s only after his Gold
She looks so fine, it’s naturally a crime
But she complains that she’s getting too old
So she tells her mama, that she’s falling in love
With a rich man who can take her far away
But the Wheel of Time, make her change her mind
The hour on her judgement day
Now that girl of mine, she ain’t the gentle kind
All she do is fuss, cuss and moan
Well I tried so hard, but it ain’t in the cards
So I’ll be leaving her alone
And if I’m right mama, you’ll have to sing to me
But if I’m wrong then I won’t be in your way
And if I find myself at the mercy of the law
Won’t you free me on my judgement day?
The song "Judgement Day" by Jackie Greene is a sorrowful reflection on the complexities and difficulties of life. The first verse describes a poor man who is trying to survive and make his way through life. Despite his struggles, he maintains a positive outlook and appreciation for his own existence. The second verse introduces a woman who is using her looks to manipulate a wealthy man for his money. However, the woman's plans are ultimately derailed by the "Wheel of Time" and she is forced to face her own judgement day. The final verse is sung from the perspective of the singer, who is leaving his contentious partner. He hopes that if he is ever in trouble with the law, his mother will "free him on his judgement day."
The song offers a glimpse into the struggles faced by people from different walks of life. Whether it be poverty, manipulation, or toxic relationships, the characters in the song are all trying to navigate life's difficulties in their own way. The theme of judgement day is also present throughout the song, as each character is faced with the consequences of their actions. Ultimately, the song asks the listener to consider their own actions and how they will face their own judgement day.
Line by Line Meaning
The poor man’s soul is a diamond made of coal
The soul of a poor man is valuable and precious, despite his difficult circumstances.
He’s trying every day to survive
The poor man is struggling to make ends meet and stay alive.
He makes his way, through the night and through the day
He perseveres even in the face of hardship, and works tirelessly to improve his situation.
Sayin: “don’t it feel so good to be alive?”
Despite his struggles, the poor man finds joy in life and appreciates the small things.
Ah but I don’t want to end up like him
The artist does not want to face the same hardships and struggles as the poor man.
For he’s down on his knees every hour to pray
The poor man is religious and relies on faith to get him through tough times.
Sayin: “Lord, I been so good, just like I knew I should
So won’t you free me on my judgement day?”
The poor man has faith that his good deeds will be rewarded and he will be granted salvation on judgement day.
She speaks good French sitting pretty on the bench
But I know she’s only after his Gold
The woman may seem sophisticated and charming, but the artist believes that she is only interested in the rich man's money.
She looks so fine, it’s naturally a crime
But she complains that she’s getting too old
The woman is attractive and desirable, but she worries that she is losing her youth and beauty.
So she tells her mama, that she’s falling in love
With a rich man who can take her far away
The woman tells her mother that she loves the rich man and hopes he will take her away from her current situation.
But the Wheel of Time, make her change her mind
The hour on her judgement day
Over time, the woman realizes that her priorities have shifted and she may not care as much about wealth and status. She must face the consequences of her choices on judgement day.
Now that girl of mine, she ain’t the gentle kind
All she do is fuss, cuss and moan
The artist's girlfriend is not kind or easy to deal with. She is argumentative and complains frequently.
Well I tried so hard, but it ain’t in the cards
So I’ll be leaving her alone
Despite the singer's efforts, he cannot make the relationship work. He decides to break things off and move on.
And if I’m right mama, you’ll have to sing to me
But if I’m wrong then I won’t be in your way
The singer's mother will celebrate his success if he proves to be correct in his decisions. If he is wrong, he will not cause any issues or problems.
And if I find myself at the mercy of the law
Won’t you free me on my judgement day?
The singer hopes that his mother will bail him out or help him in some way if he ever gets into legal trouble. He fears facing the consequences alone.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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