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.
Jackson
Jerry Lee Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We've been talkin' 'bout Jackson, ever since the fire went out.
I'm goin' to Jackson, I'm gonna mess around,
Yeah, I'm goin' to Jackson,
Look out Jackson town.
Well, go on down to Jackson; go ahead and wreck your health.
Go play your hand you big-talkin' man, make a big fool of yourself,
Honey, I'm gonna snowball Jackson.
See if I care.
When I breeze into that city, people gonna stoop and bow. (Hah!)
All them women gonna make me, teach 'em what they don't know how,
I'm goin' to Jackson, you turn-a loose-a my coat.
'Cause I'm goin' to Jackson.
"Goodbye," that's all she wrote.
But they'll laugh at you in Jackson, and I'll be dancin' on a Pony Keg.
They'll lead you 'round town like a scalded hound,
With your tail tucked between your legs,
You're goin' to Jackson, you big-talkin' man.
And I'll be waitin' in Jackson, behind my Jaypan Fan,
Well now, we got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout,
We've been talkin' 'bout Jackson, ever since the fire went out.
I'm goin' to Jackson, and that's a fact.
Yeah, we're goin' to Jackson, ain't never comin' back.
Well, we got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout'
And we've been talkin' 'bout Jackson, ever since the fire went
out."
The song "Jackson" by Jerry Lee Lewis and Linda Gail Lewis is an upbeat country duet that tells the story of a married couple who are planning to travel to Jackson, Mississippi for some fun and mischief. The song opens with the couple recalling how they got married in a fever, indicating that their relationship may have been born out of a passionate and impulsive moment. Their marriage didn't necessarily solve any of their problems or extinguish any underlying issues, as evidenced by the line "We've been talkin' 'bout Jackson, ever since the fire went out."
As the song progresses, Linda Gail takes on the persona of a wife who is clearly fed up with her husband's grandiose personality and false bravado. She encourages him to go to Jackson and make a fool of himself, seemingly hoping that he'll learn a lesson or at least give her a break from his antics. She predicts that he'll be laughed at in Jackson and that she'll be "dancin' on a Pony Keg" while he's being humiliated. Overall, "Jackson" is a tongue-in-cheek song that pokes fun at the follies of a dysfunctional marriage.
Line by Line Meaning
We got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout,
Our union began with intense passion, likened to the burning heat of a fiery pepper plant.
We've been talkin' 'bout Jackson, ever since the fire went out.
Since that initial excitement has faded, Jackson has become our focal point of conversation and longing.
I'm goin' to Jackson, I'm gonna mess around,
I am determined to travel to Jackson and indulge in carefree fun and possibly reckless behavior.
Yeah, I'm goin' to Jackson,
Indeed, my plans to visit Jackson are set.
Look out Jackson town.
This is a warning to the town of Jackson; my arrival will certainly stir things up.
Well, go on down to Jackson; go ahead and wreck your health.
Feel free to venture to Jackson, even if it leads to your own detriment or reckless choices.
Go play your hand you big-talkin' man, make a big fool of yourself,
Display your bravado and take risks, even if it results in embarrassment.
You're goin' to Jackson; go comb your hair!
Prepare yourself for Jackson; tidy up your appearance as it seems you’re heading into a significant situation.
Honey, I'm gonna snowball Jackson.
I plan to overwhelm or take over Jackson in an unexpected manner.
See if I care.
I am indifferent to the potential consequences of my actions in Jackson.
When I breeze into that city, people gonna stoop and bow. (Hah!)
When I arrive in Jackson, I expect to be treated with great respect and admiration.
All them women gonna make me, teach 'em what they don't know how,
The women in Jackson will be eager to learn from me, as I possess knowledge or skills they lack.
I'm goin' to Jackson, you turn-a loose-a my coat.
It's time for me to head to Jackson, so let go of my coat; I am ready to go.
Cause I'm goin' to Jackson. 'Goodbye,' that's all she wrote.
I am certainly going to Jackson, and this is my final farewell; there's nothing left to say.
But they'll laugh at you in Jackson, and I'll be dancin' on a Pony Keg.
In Jackson, people will mock you, while I joyfully celebrate my freedom and success.
They'll lead you 'round town like a scalded hound,
You will be paraded around town shamefully, much like a beaten dog.
With your tail tucked between your legs,
You will appear defeated, ashamed, and submissive.
You're goin' to Jackson, you big-talkin' man.
You, who boast loudly, are heading to Jackson, facing what you've claimed.
And I'll be waitin' in Jackson, behind my Jaypan Fan,
I will be eagerly anticipating your arrival in Jackson, casually fanning myself.
Well now, we got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout,
Recall how our passionate marriage began with fiery intensity.
We've been talkin' 'bout Jackson, ever since the fire went out.
Even as our initial excitement diminished, our thoughts have been consumed with Jackson.
I'm goin' to Jackson, and that's a fact.
I am definitely and unreservedly going to Jackson; there’s no debate about it.
Yeah, we're goin' to Jackson, ain't never comin' back.
Indeed, we are headed to Jackson and have no intention of returning.
Well, we got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout
Reflect on how our love ignited with an overwhelming passion, like the heat of a young pepper plant.
And we've been talkin' 'bout Jackson, ever since the fire went out.
Since our initial spark has died down, our conversations have revolved around dreams of Jackson.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN BARRY, LESLIE BRICUSSE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind