Like Elvis Presley, he was raised singing the Christian gospel music of integrated southern Pentecostal churches. In 1950 he attended Southwestern Bible Institute in Texas but was expelled for misconduct, including playing rock and roll versions of hymns in church. Pearry Green (then president of the student body) related how during a talent show Jerry played some worldly music. The next morning the Dean of the school called both Jerry and Pearry into his office to expel them both. Jerry then said that Pearry shouldn't be expelled because "he didn't know what I was going to do." Years later Pearry asked Jerry: "Are you still playing the devil's music?" Jerry replied, "Yes, I am. But you know it's strange, the same music that they kicked me out of school for is the same kind of music they play in their churches today. The difference is, I know I am playing for the devil and they don't."
Leaving religious music behind, he became a part of the burgeoning new rock and roll sound, cutting his first record in 1954. Two years later, at Sun Records studio in Memphis, Tennessee, producer and engineer Jack Clement discovered and recorded Lewis for the Sun label, while owner Sam Phillips was away on a trip to Florida. As a result, Lewis joined Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash as stars who began their recording careers at Sun Studios around this same time.
Lewis' first recording at Sun studios was his own distinct version of the country ballad Crazy Arms. In 1957, his piano and the pure rock and roll sound of Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On propelled him to international fame. Great Balls of Fire soon followed, and would become his biggest hit. Watching and listening to Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis said if he could play the piano like that, he'd quit singing. Lewis' early billing was Jerry Lee Lewis and his Pumping Piano.
Lewis was a pioneer of piano rock, not only through his sound by also through his dynamic performance. He would often kick the piano bench out of the way to play standing, rake his hands up and down the keyboard for dramatic accent, and even sit down on it. His frenetic performance style can be seen in films such as High School Confidential (he sang the title song from the back of a flatbed truck), and Jamboree. These performance techniques have been adopted by recent piano rock artists, notably admirer Elton John.
Early Mornin' Rain
Jerry Lee Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With an aching in my heart and my pockets full of sand
I'm a long way from home and I miss my loved ones so
In the early morning rain with no place to go
Out on runway number nine, big seven-o-seven set to go
But I'm stuck here in the grass with a pain that ever grows
Now the liquor tasted good and the women all were fast
Hear the mighty engines roar, see the silver wing on high
She's away and westward bound, far above the clouds she'll fly
Where the morning rain don't fall and the sun always shines
She'll be flying over my home in about three hours time
This old airport's got me down, it's no earthly good to me
'Cause I'm stuck here on the ground, as cold and drunk as I can be
You can't jump a jet plane like you can a freight train
So I'd best be on my way in the early morning rain
The song "Early Mornin' Rain" by Jerry Lee Lewis is a melancholic ballad that tells the story of a man who finds himself stranded and unable to fly to his loved ones. In the first verse, the singer is penniless and heartbroken with nowhere to go. He longs for his family and is stuck in a difficult situation where it seems like there is no way out. The second verse takes place on the runway, where he watches the plane he was supposed to board take off without him. He turns to alcohol and lust in an attempt to numb his pain but ultimately finds no solace. As he watches the airplane disappear into the sky, he realizes that it will be hours before he can be reunited with his loved ones. The third verse has him reflecting on his situation and expressing his frustration with the airport. He is cold, alone, and drunk, longing to be anywhere else. He then acknowledges that he can't just hop on the next plane and escape his problems. He resigns himself to his fate, recognizing that he must wait for the early morning rain that he hopes will clear the way to his destination.
The song's lyrics evoke a sense of loneliness, desperation, and longing. The use of imagery such as "dollar in my hand," "pockets full of sand," "cold and drunk," and "the morning rain" all contribute to this sense of melancholy. The singer is clearly in a difficult situation, but he ultimately resigns himself to the fact that he must wait for his chance to escape. The song resonates with people who have ever found themselves in a similar situation where they are powerless to change their circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
In the early morning rain with a dollar in my hand
I am standing in the rain with only a single dollar in my possession.
With an aching in my heart and my pockets full of sand
I am feeling sad and my pockets are filled with sand from the rainy weather.
I'm a long way from home and I miss my loved ones so
I am far away from my home and I feel a strong desire to see my loved ones.
In the early morning rain with no place to go
I am standing alone in the rain, without a destination or purpose for my travels.
Out on runway number nine, big seven-o-seven set to go
I am standing near a runway where a 707 aircraft is preparing for takeoff.
But I'm stuck here in the grass with a pain that ever grows
However, I am unable to board the plane and I feel increasingly upset.
Now the liquor tasted good and the women all were fast
Despite my troubles, drinking alcohol and engaging with fast women helped me feel better for a brief moment.
Well now there she goes my friend, she's a-rolling down at last
However, the plane is now flying away without me.
Hear the mighty engines roar, see the silver wing on high
I am now listening to the sound of the plane's loud engines and watching it ascend into the sky.
She's away and westward bound, far above the clouds she'll fly
The plane is headed towards the west and will soon be flying above the clouds.
Where the morning rain don't fall and the sun always shines
The plane will soon reach a place where it doesn't rain in the morning and the sun always shines.
She'll be flying over my home in about three hours time
In a few hours, the plane will be flying over my home.
This old airport's got me down, it's no earthly good to me
The airport is making me feel sad and it seems unhelpful to my situation.
'Cause I'm stuck here on the ground, as cold and drunk as I can be
I am still unable to board a plane and am feeling both cold and drunk.
You can't jump a jet plane like you can a freight train
It's impossible to jump onto a passenger plane like you can with a freight train.
So I'd best be on my way in the early morning rain
Therefore, I should find another way to continue my journey, possibly through the early morning rain.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gordon Lightfoot
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Don Upton
I remember when my brother brought this album home. I listened to it over and over again. This song, Big Boss Man and No Headstone on My Grave are some of my favorites.
Country
The one and only Killer..... Jerry Lee Lewis..... master piano 🎹 🎹 🎹 player and great singer...nuff said !!
😀❤️🎹🔥
Daniel Dore
bought this lp when it came out...still listen to it , it's timeless...
Kathy Henderson
Who else can turn a folk song into this except killer ,??????🌹
D Doeser
Goodmorning 🌹Fijne dag Toegewenst "Respect " JAAR 2022.TIJDSTIP 09:32 UUR MAANDAG 10 OKTOBER..❤🇳🇱🌏👋🎹
Landlines and Percolators
Jerry Lee at his finest.
Marian Bakker
Jerry Lee Lewis geweldig
Jojo McCarthy
Thank-you, my brother Larry, for turning me on to this. Just as wonderful as you said!
Tim Wenburg
and yet you still can hear that Gordon Lightfoot sound in this version.
Kathy Henderson
Listen to that 🎹🎹🎹 ❤️