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.
Matchbox
Jerry Lee Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, I'm sitting here wondering, would a matchbox hold my clothes?
Sitting here wondering, would a matchbox hold my clothes?
I ain't got no matches, but I got a long way to go.
I'm an old, poor boy and I'm a long way from home
I'm an old, poor boy and I'm a long way from home
I won't ever be happy; everything I do is wrong.
[Chorus]
Let me be your little dog 'til your big dog come.
Let me be your little dog 'til your big dog come.
When your big dog gets here, show him what this little puppy's done.
[Chorus]
"Matchbox" is a classic rock and roll song by Jerry Lee Lewis, first released in 1957. The lyrics describe the singer's lament over his current situation: he's a poor boy, far from home, and doesn't even have matches to light a fire to keep warm. He wonders if a matchbox would be big enough to hold his clothes, symbolizing the desperate state he's in. He expresses his frustration with life, saying that he won't ever be happy and everything he does is wrong.
The chorus is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the singer's sense of desperation and the overarching theme that he is in a dire situation. However, towards the end of the song, the lyrics take an interesting turn, as the singer offers to be someone's "little dog" until their "big dog" comes. This suggests that he is willing to do whatever it takes to make a way for himself and that he sees an opportunity for his current struggles to lead to a better future.
Overall, "Matchbox" is a song that speaks to the human longing for connection and belonging, as well as the resilience that we can bring to bear even in the toughest of circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I'm sitting here wondering, would a matchbox hold my clothes?
As I sit here pondering my situation, I question whether a small matchbox can accommodate my clothing needs
Sitting here wondering, would a matchbox hold my clothes?
Continuing to ponder, I consider once again whether a matchbox is practical for carrying my clothes
I ain't got no matches, but I got a long way to go.
Although I don't have any matches, I have a far distance to travel ahead of me
I'm an old, poor boy and I'm a long way from home
I am an impoverished, older individual who finds themselves far away from their place of origin
I won't ever be happy; everything I do is wrong.
Due to my circumstances, I have become unfulfilled and believe that all my actions result in failure
Let me be your little dog 'til your big dog come.
I ask to serve you as your faithful companion until someone even greater comes along
When your big dog gets here, show him what this little puppy's done.
Once your superior arrives, allow me to illustrate my loyalty and contributions as a faithful follower
I'm sitting here wondering, would a matchbox hold my clothes?
Reflecting on my circumstances once more, I again question the feasibility of a small matchbox encompassing all my belongings
Sitting here wondering, would a matchbox hold my clothes?
Reiterating my speculation, I continue to ponder whether this diminutive container can meet my needs
I ain't got no matches, but I got a long way to go.
I lack matches, but despite this, I anticipate a lengthy journey ahead of me
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CARL PERKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hwhitlock
Absolutely Brilliant!
@tommckenzie4493
Brilliant
@gator4458
Found this song on an old 45 I bought from a thrift store