Howard Gerald "Jerry" Clower (b. September 28, 1926, Liberty, Mississippi -… Read Full Bio ↴Howard Gerald "Jerry" Clower (b. September 28, 1926, Liberty, Mississippi - d. August 24, 1998) was a popular country comedian best known for his stories of the rural South.

Clower began a stint in the Navy immediately after graduating high school, then studied agriculture at Mississippi State University, where he played college football and was a member of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity. After finishing school, Clower worked as a county agent and later as a seed salesman. He became a fertilizer salesman for Mississippi Chemical in 1954. By this time, he had developed a reputation for telling funny stories to boost his sales.

It was while speaking to the Alabama Dairy Convention in Point Clear, Alabama in 1970 that an attendee enthusiastically told Clower he might have a future in comedy. Thinking there might be some potential in that area, Clower taped his next few speaking engagements. The "Coon Huntin' Story" that would launch his career was first taped in Corpus Christi at the state Farmer's Cooperative Convention. Eventually, Clower's tapes wound up in the hands of "Big Ed" Wilkes in Lubbock, Texas, who had Clower make a better quality recording and began promoting it.

At first, Clower was just taking orders at his speaking engagements. He sold 8000 copies this way on the Lemon record label. In time, Wilkes sent a copy to Grant Turner at WSM radio in Nashville, and when Turner played it on the air, Clower said "that thing busted loose". MCA was soon knocking on Clower's door offering him a contract. Once MCA began distribution in 1971, Jerry Clower from Yazoo City, Mississippi Talkin’ retailed more than a million dollars over ten months and stayed in the Top 20 on the country charts for 30 weeks.

Clower was 45 when MCA came calling and he began his professional career as a comedian. He often said, "I backed into show business." Many of his comedic stories revolved around the non-fictional Ledbetter family, especially his "best friend" Marcel Ledbetter who currently lives in the area of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. These stories are true but embellished for story telling. Marcel and Jerry were best friends throughout Jerry's life. Those stories are considered to be informal chronicles of early 20th century rural Southern life and according to Clower, were usually based on actual events.

Clower made 27 full length recordings in his 27 year career as a professional entertainer (not counting "best of" compilations, the most popular of these being 1979's Jerry Clower's Greatest Hits). With one exception, all the recordings were released by MCA. The exception was Ain't God GOOD! which Clower recorded with MCA's blessing at a worship service. Word Records promoted and distributed this title in 1977. Always a staunch Christian, this recording gave Clower an opportunity to present his personal testimony in a comfortable church setting. The title of the recording was taken from a book Clower had written two years earlier (see below).

In 1973, Clower became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, and remained with that organization until his death. He also co-hosted a radio show called Country Crossroads with Bill Mack and Leroy Van Dyke for a number of years. This show was produced and distributed by the Southern Baptist Convention. Clower's last album was Peaches & Possums, released posthumously in October 1998.

He was the author of 4 books. The book Ain't God GOOD! became the basis for an inspirational documentary film of the same title that won an award from the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival.

Clower died following heart bypass surgery, aged 71. He had been married to Homerline Wells Clower since August 1947. He is also survived by a son, Ray, three daughters, Amy, Sue, and Katy, and seven grandchildren.

Real Love
Jerry Clower Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I said I would get over you
Now I'm here out on my own
Trying to live my life
And now you wanna come back
But I don't need no brand new lies, listen up

I want a love that's serious
No time to play love games

I don't wanna be nobody's fool
So if you wanna be with me
You gotta give it up

Real love
I know I wanna have one
Real love
Gonna try and get some

Real love
Everybody needs one
Real love
Got to have real love

All my friends are telling me
I should give you another try
But I don't need opinions
To deal with what I have on my mind, listen up

I want a love that's serious
No time to play love games
I don't wanna be nobody's fool
So if you wanna be with me
You gotta give it up

Real love
I know I wanna have one
Real love
Gonna try and get some

Real love
Everybody needs one
Real love
Got to have real love

Real love

Oh, oh, ah
Oh, oh, ah
Oh, oh, ah (Oh, yeah)
Oh, oh, ah

Oh, oh, ah
Oh, oh, ah
Oh, oh, ah (Give it up)
Oh, oh, ah

Real love
I know I wanna have one
Real love
Gonna try and get some

Real love
Everybody needs one
Real love
Got to have real love

Real love
I know I wanna have one
Real love
Gonna try and get some

Real love
Everybody needs one
Real love
Got to have real love

Real love

Ow, ow, ow

Real love
I know I wanna have one
Real love
Gonna try and get some

Real love
Everybody needs one
Real love
Got to have real love

Real love
Real love (Huh...uh...uh...)
Real love (I don't need opinions)
(Don't need your advice)

(Real love)

(Got to give real love)
Real love

Overall Meaning

In Jerry Clower's song "Real Love," the singer asserts their independence and determination to find true love. The beginning of the song focuses on the singer's reluctance to get back with their ex-partner. The singer previously claimed to have moved on but now their ex wants to come back into their life. However, the singer doesn't want to hear any new lies and wants a love that's serious without any games. They assert that they don't want to be anybody's fool and if their ex wants to be with them, they have to give it up.

Throughout the song, the singer emphasizes the need for 'real love.' They state that they are trying to live their life and do not need the opinions of others, especially concerning their relationships. The singer is determined to find a love that is serious and is not just a game. They believe that everyone needs love but not just any love, it has to be real love. The repetition of "real love" emphasizes the singer's desire for genuine and true romantic connections.

Overall, Clower's "Real Love" is a timeless song that emphasizes the importance of being independent and the pursuit of true romantic relationships. It encourages listeners to avoid love games and look for real and serious connections with others.

Line by Line Meaning

I said I would get over you
I promised myself I would move on from you

Now I'm here out on my own
I am now on my own in this journey

Trying to live my life
Attempting to live my life despite my heartache

And now you wanna come back
Now you want to come back into my life

But I don't need no brand new lies, listen up
But I don't want to hear any new lies, pay attention

I want a love that's serious
I am looking for a committed love

No time to play love games
I am not interested in playing games in love

I don't wanna be nobody's fool
I don't want to be someone who is taken advantage of in love

So if you wanna be with me
If you want to be with me

You gotta give it up
you have to give me real love

Real love
I am searching for true love