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.
Promised Land
Jerry Lee Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
California on my mind.
Straddled that Greyhound, rode him past Raleigh,
On across Caroline.
Stopped in Charlotte and bypassed Rock Hill,
And we never was a minute late.
We was ninety miles out of Atlanta by sundown,
We had motor trouble it turned into a struggle,
Half way 'cross Alabam,
And that 'hound broke down and left us all stranded
In downtown Birmingham.
Straight off, I bought me a through train ticket,
Ridin' cross Mississippi clean
And I was on that midnight flier out of Birmingham
Smoking into New Orleans.
Somebody help me get out of Louisiana
Just help me get to Houston town.
There's people there who care a little 'bout me
And they won't let the poor boy down.
Sure as you're born, they bought me a silk suit,
Put luggage in my hands,
And I woke up high over Albuquerque
On a jet to the promised land.
Workin' on a T-bone steak a la carte
Flying over to the Golden State,
The pilot told me in thirteen minutes
We'd be headin' in the terminal gate.
Swing low sweet chariot, come down easy
Taxi to the terminal zone,
Cut your engines, cool your wings,
And let me make it to the telephone.
Los Angeles give me Norfolk Virginia,
Tidewater four ten O nine
Tell the folks back home this is the promised land callin'
And the poor boy's on the line.
The lyrics to Jerry Lee Lewis's song "Promised Land" paint a vivid picture of a journey from Norfolk, Virginia, all the way to the "promised land" of California. The singer begins the song by expressing his desire to leave his home in Norfolk and head to California, symbolizing a longing for a new beginning and a better life. Boarding a Greyhound bus, the singer travels through various cities like Raleigh, Charlotte, Rock Hill, Atlanta, and Birmingham, showcasing the vast distance and diverse landscapes of the journey.
Trouble arises halfway through Alabama when the Greyhound bus breaks down in downtown Birmingham, leaving the singer stranded. Determined to continue his journey, he buys a train ticket and crosses Mississippi, eventually reaching the midnight flier out of Birmingham bound for New Orleans. The mention of Louisiana and Houston represents the singer's hope for a fresh start and the support he seeks from the people in those places who care about him.
The singer's fortunes take a positive turn when he is helped by kind strangers who buy him a silk suit, put luggage in his hands, and even book him a flight over Albuquerque to Los Angeles. This sudden change in circumstances represents the idea of unexpected opportunities and a new beginning in the "promised land" of California. The mention of a T-bone steak and flying to the Golden State adds a sense of luxury and prosperity to the journey, symbolizing the singer's newfound success and status.
As the singer nears his destination, he reflects on the journey and the distance covered, invoking the imagery of a plane coming in to land at a terminal gate in Los Angeles. The reference to Norfolk, Virginia, and Tidewater signifies the singer's roots and his connection to his hometown, highlighting the theme of nostalgia and belonging. Ultimately, the lyrics convey a sense of fulfillment and triumph as the singer proclaims that he has reached the "promised land" and is reaching out to his loved ones back home, signifying a sense of achievement and victory in his journey.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MALIK YUSEF EL SHABBAZ JONES, STEVE MCKEEVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
psychkoala
Well, Jerry Lee Lewis STILL has it. Jerry Lee has become an almost heroic figure as he struggles on, producing great music time after time, stunning his critics and detractors and amazing hardcore fans like me. I just can't believe how good this sounds. God Bless Jerry Lee, the Rolling Stones and every one of the great musicians playing on this album. And THANKS!
pianoglider R
This new album rivals "Last man standing" and beats out "Mean Old Man". Jerry is absolutely amazing. He just keeps coming back over and over and over. Rock on Killer. You are the best!!!!! Thanks for posting.
Elliot
rodrigo suarez
I agree with you! The Killer "He just keeps coming back over and over". It's his trademark. You have to admire the guy.
Edward Haglund
That man's music takes back to the 1950s!
Rock on JERRY LEE LEWIS The King
Edward Haglund
1956-forever, He's a real rockin man!
Bernd Kircher
79 year and still rockin! I wish I'd could do that when I'm 79 - to be honest I can't do it now ;-)
LOVE SIXTIES ROCK MUSIC
Im 69 brother and hope to see 70 :)
rodrigo suarez
There's only one Killer, pal!
Mary Plaidy
Outstanding! He's just as outstanding now as he was the first time I heard him 55 years ago.
Dennis Partridge
Great rendition of this ball buster...go Jerry baby..