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.
For The Good Times
Jerry Lee Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But, honey, life goes on, and this old world will keep on turning
Let's just be glad we had some time to spend together
There's no need to watch the bridges that we're burning
Lay your head upon my pillow, hold your warm and tender body close to mine
Hear the whisper of the raindrops blowing soft against the window
And make believe you love me one more time for the good times
I'll get along (yes, I will, darlin'), you'll find another
And I'll be here if you should find you ever need me
Don't say a word about tomorrow or forever
Honey, there'll be plenty time enough for sadness when you leave me
Just lay your head upon my pillow, hold your warm and tender body close to mine
Hear the whisper of the raindrops blowing soft, Lord, against ol' Jerry's window
And I make believe, darlin', you love me just one more time for the good times
(Think about that, baby, for them old good times just one more time)
The lyrics to Jerry Lee Lewis's song "For the Good Times" speak to the end of a relationship, but instead of dwelling on the sadness and loss, the singer chooses to focus on the good times they had together. He encourages his partner not to be so sad and to remember that life goes on and the world keeps turning. He acknowledges that they are burning bridges, but suggests that there is no need to watch them burn.
As the song continues, he asks his partner to lay her head on his pillow and hold her close, listening to the raindrops outside the window. He asks her to make believe she loves him one more time for the good times they shared. He then assures her that he will get along and that she will find another, but he will be there for her if she ever needs him. He cautions her not to talk about tomorrow or forever, because there will be plenty of time for sadness when she leaves him.
Overall, the song is a bittersweet reflection on a relationship that has ended. The singer acknowledges the pain of loss, but chooses to focus on the good times they shared together.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't look so sad; Lord, I know it's over
Don't despair and feel gloomy, I acknowledge that our relationship has come to an end
But, honey, life goes on, and this old world will keep on turning
However, life moves on and this world continues to rotate and function
Let's just be glad we had some time to spend together
Let's be content that we spent some time together and cherish the moments we shared
There's no need to watch the bridges that we're burning
There's no point dwelling on the past and regretting the choices we made
Lay your head upon my pillow, hold your warm and tender body close to mine
Rest your head on my pillow, embrace me and keep yourself close to me
Hear the whisper of the raindrops blowing soft against the window
Pay attention to the gentle sound of raindrops tapping against the windowpane
And make believe you love me one more time for the good times
Let's pretend for a moment that you still love me, like we did in the good old days
I'll get along (yes, I will, darlin'), you'll find another
I'll manage to move on, and I'm sure you'll find someone else
And I'll be here if you should find you ever need me
However, if you ever need me, I'll always be here for you
Don't say a word about tomorrow or forever
Let's avoid discussing the future and eternity for now
Honey, there'll be plenty time enough for sadness when you leave me
My dear, when you eventually leave, there'll be enough time to grieve and be unhappy
Just lay your head upon my pillow, hold your warm and tender body close to mine
So, rest your head on my pillow, wrap your gentle body around me
Hear the whisper of the raindrops blowing soft, Lord, against ol' Jerry's window
Listen to the gentle sound of raindrops tapping against the window, as if the Lord is part of this moment
And I make believe, darlin', you love me just one more time for the good times
And let's pretend, my love, that you still have feelings for me, just one last time, thinking about the happy times we had
(Think about that, baby, for them old good times just one more time)
(Let's reflect on that, sweetheart, for all those wonderful moments we had, just one last time)
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kristoffer Kristofferson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
T Dunph
Many great artists have covered this fine song. But the Killer's is the definitive version. Long live a True Legend!!
Luther Moore
When he does one it cant be topped.
bill taylor
One of the greatest records ever made!!!!!!!!
Debra Bass
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bill taylor
+bill taylor Arranged by Cam Mullins. Cam did the arrangement on the Ray Price version..
LadyWriter 1968
Also used to have this song by "Jim Reeves" the way Jerry sings it is so deep. The music is lovely as well. I do believe that when you sing you can put your life into a song. The voice speaks out the truth..
coachrv30
This was a big Ray Price song - - one of his signature hits.
wilkevwilkev
No one puts it over like the ole killer
Kenny Dobbins
Jim was long gone when this song was written. It was written by Kris Kristofferson in 1970.
Kenny Dobbins
Jim Reeves never had a chance to sing this beautiful song, because Kris Kristofferson wrote this song and he was not even out of the Army until 1966, 2 years after he died.