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.
Love Letters In The Sand
Jerry Lee Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We pass the time away
Writing love letters in the sand.
Oh, you laughed when I cried
Each time I saw the tide
Take our love letters in the sand.
But somehow, that vow meant nothing to you
Now my poor heart just aches
With every wave that breaks
Over love letters in the sand.
The song "Love Letters in the Sand" by Jerry Lee Lewis speaks about the bittersweet memories of a love that has drifted away. The song reminisces about how the couple would spend their days writing love letters to each other in the sand. However, the love that once seemed eternal had vanished, and the once-promised loyalty and sincerity were forgotten. The singer cannot help but feel heartbroken as they see love letters written on the sand washed away by the waves consistently, just like their love had been.
Jerry Lee Lewis's song can be interpreted as a cautionary tale of how love can be fickle and how once promises are made in the midst of passion, they can be forgotten. Love letters written in the sand are fragile representations of love, and as they are erased by the tide, so can love suffer the same fate. The chorus of the song is particularly heart-wrenching, as the singer's poor heart aches with every wave that breaks over love letters in the sand.
Line by Line Meaning
On a day like today,
Today is just like any other day, and we're spending our time writing love letters in the sand.
We pass the time away
We're trying to fill our time with something sweet, like writing love letters to each other.
Writing love letters in the sand.
We're writing about our love in the sand because it's a beautiful and fleeting way to express ourselves to each other.
Oh, you laughed when I cried
You used to think it was funny when I got emotional, but now it hurts me deeply.
Each time I saw the tide
Every time the waves came in and washed away our love letters, it filled me with sadness.
Take our love letters in the sand.
Watching the tide wash away what we wrote symbolizes our love being washed away and forgotten.
You made a vow that you would always be true
You promised me that you would always be faithful and devoted to our relationship.
But somehow, that vow meant nothing to you
Despite your promise, you betrayed me and didn't stay true to our relationship.
Now my poor heart just aches
My heart is broken and I'm in pain because of the betrayal and loss of our love.
With every wave that breaks
As every wave crashes onto the shore and erases our memories, I feel even more heartbroken.
Over love letters in the sand.
All our love letters in the sand are now gone, and so is our love.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Nick Kenny, J. Fred Coots, Charles Kenny
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@country8543
I didn't know the Killer did this one. He knocked it out of the ball park !!! Mercy, his piano playing 🎹🎹🎹 is on fire 🔥🔥 as always !!! Love it and Jerry Lee too !!!
😀😘❤️🎹🎹🔥🔥
@PaulGaston88
It was on what is known as Sun 102... A 12 LP box set called, "The Sun Years" that contained everything he recorded at Sun Records. It was released in 1983 and I remember paying about $65. Now, you can find it on eBay and other places. It doesn't cost too much in the places I see. But in 2015, a new Jerry Lee Lewis box set came out that is supposed to REALLY have all he recorded at Sun and costs lots more lol
@country8543
@@PaulGaston88 Thanks for the information and how to get this Jerry Lee song and the entire box set. I truly appreciate it Paul. Thanks for sharing all of the Killer's songs, live recordings, and live concerts. Have a wonderful evening and night.
😀💕🎹
@stephenpotts2820
Just gotta love JLL. Puts his own stamp on every song and never a bad version
@larrygoddard4575
The piano style and voice echoe ounds like Jerry's early period. Glad to hear it.
@bobkern2
Just discovered this. My grandfather, Nick Kenny and his brother, Charles, wrote and published this song in the 1930s. Pat Boone had a major hit with it in 1956. .
@PatrickWall12
Great version by Jerry Lee of this Mac Wiseman classic.
@LawyerCalhoun1
Jerry made every song sound better.
@kathyhenderson1950
Beautiful KILLER ♥️ think you were very young when you sang this oldie.
@kathyhenderson1950
Just him and Piana ♥️