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.
Mother the Queen of My Heart
Jerry Lee Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I had the kindest mother how happy we were just we two
Till one day the angels called her it's the debt that we all have to pay
She'd call me close to her bedside these last few words she did say
Now son don't start drinking or gambling promise you'll always go straight
Ten years have passed since that parting that promise I've broke I must say
I started drinking for past time at last Lord I was just like them all
I bet my clothes and my money never dreaming that I'd ever fall
All that I needed to break them was one card and that was a Queen
Cards were delt all round the table each man took a card from the draw
But I drew the one that would beat them I turned it here's what I saw
I saw mama's picture somehow she seemed to say
Son you have broken your promise I tossed those cards away
My winnings I gave to a newsboy cause I knew I was wrong from the start
And I'll never forget that promise to mother the Queen of my heart
The song "Mother The Queen Of My Heart" by Jerry Lee Lewis is a touching story about a son who lost his mother and regrets breaking the promise he made to her before she passed away. He had a happy life with his mother in Texas until she passed away, leaving him with her last words of advice to not start drinking or gambling and to always stay straight. Unfortunately, he did not keep that promise and started drinking and gambling, losing everything he had until one day he found himself with nothing left and was about to lose it all. Then, he saw his mother's picture in his mind, and she appeared to be speaking to him, reminding him of the promise he made to her. He was filled with regret and tossed the cards away then gave his winnings to a newsboy.
The song is a poignant reminder of the importance of keeping our promises to loved ones, especially those who have passed away. It teaches us that sometimes we need a reminder of the promises we made to them, and sometimes even those we made to ourselves. It also highlights the power of memories and how they can influence and guide us towards making better decisions.
Line by Line Meaning
I had a home out in Texas out where the Bluebonnet grew
I used to live in Texas where the Bluebonnet flower bloomed.
I had the kindest mother how happy we were just we two
My mother was a very kind woman and we were very happy together.
Till one day the angels called her it's the debt that we all have to pay
One day my mother passed away and I know we all have to face death at some point.
She'd call me close to her bedside these last few words she did say
Before she died, my mother called me to her bedside and said a few last words.
Now son don't start drinking or gambling promise you'll always go straight
My mother told me to avoid drinking and gambling and promised to always take the right path.
Ten years have passed since that parting that promise I've broke I must say
It's been ten years since my mother passed away and I must admit that I broke my promise.
I started drinking for past time at last Lord I was just like them all
I started drinking as a pastime and eventually became like everyone else who drank.
I bet my clothes and my money never dreaming that I'd ever fall
I gambled away my clothes and money, never realizing that I would become addicted.
One night I've bet all my money nothing was left to be seen
One night, I bet all my money and lost everything.
All that I needed to break them was one card and that was a Queen
I only needed one card, the Queen, to win the game.
Cards were delt all round the table each man took a card from the draw
Cards were dealt to everyone around the table and each person drew one card.
But I drew the one that would beat them I turned it here's what I saw
I drew the card that would beat everyone and turned it over to reveal what it was.
I saw mama's picture somehow she seemed to say
To my surprise, I saw my mother's picture on the card and it seemed to be speaking to me.
Son you have broken your promise I tossed those cards away
My mother's voice spoke to me through the card and told me that I had broken my promise to her. I immediately threw the cards away.
My winnings I gave to a newsboy cause I knew I was wrong from the start
I gave my winnings to a newspaper boy because I knew that I was wrong from the beginning and needed to correct my behavior.
And I'll never forget that promise to mother the Queen of my heart
I will always remember my promise to my mother, who will forever hold a special place in my heart.
Contributed by Landon R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.