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.
When you wore a tulip and I wore a big red rose
Jerry Lee Lewis Lyrics
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The sun was shining down
You wore a gingham gown
I kissed you as I placed a yellow tulip in your hair
Upon my coat you pinned a rose so rare
Time has not changed your loveliness
You're just as sweet to me
I love you yet, I can't forget the days that used to be
When you wore a tulip, a sweet yellow tulip
And I wore a big red rose
When you caressed me, 'twas then Heaven blessed me
What a blessing, no one knows
You made life cheery when you called me dearie
'Twas down where the blue grass grows
Your lips were sweeter then julep when you wore that tulip
And I wore a big red rose
When you wore a tulip, a sweet yellow tulip
And I wore a big red rose
When you caressed me, 'twas then Heaven blessed me
What a blessing, no one knows
You made life cheery when you called me dearie
'Twas down where the blue grass grows
Your lips were sweeter then julep when you wore that tulip
And I wore a big red rose
The lyrics to Jerry Lee Lewis's song "When You Wore A Tulip I Wore A Big Red Rose" depict a romantic encounter between the singer and their partner in a garden in an old Kentucky town. The setting is portrayed as idyllic, with the sun shining down and the singer being enchanted by their partner, who is dressed in a gingham gown. The singer expresses their affection by kissing their partner and adorning their hair with a yellow tulip, while the partner reciprocates by pinning a rare rose onto the singer's coat.
Throughout the song, the singer reminisces about the past, emphasizing that time has not diminished their partner's loveliness and the sweet memories they shared. The nostalgic tone reflects the singer's enduring love for their partner and their inability to forget the happiness they experienced together.
Overall, the lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia, love, and the beauty found in simple gestures. The mention of the bluegrass, a symbol of Kentucky, adds a touch of regional and cultural significance to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I met you in a garden in an old Kentucky town
I first encountered you in a serene outdoor setting in a rustic town in Kentucky
The sun was shining down
The bright sunlight was illuminating the surroundings
You wore a gingham gown
You were dressed in a charming attire made of checkered fabric
I kissed you as I placed a yellow tulip in your hair
I expressed my affection for you by placing a vibrant yellow tulip delicately on your hair
Upon my coat you pinned a rose so rare
In return, you adorned my coat with an exceptionally uncommon rose
Time has not changed your loveliness
The passage of time has not diminished your beauty and attractiveness
You're just as sweet to me
You still hold the same endearing charm in my eyes
I love you yet, I can't forget the days that used to be
I still love you deeply, but I also cannot forget the memories of the past
When you wore a tulip, a sweet yellow tulip
During the time when you adorned yourself with a delightful yellow tulip
And I wore a big red rose
And I suited up with an impressive, eye-catching big red rose
When you caressed me, 'twas then Heaven blessed me
When you lovingly touched me, it felt like a divine blessing
What a blessing, no one knows
The extent of this blessing is unknown to anyone else
You made life cheery when you called me dearie
Your endearment of calling me 'dearie' brought joy and happiness into my existence
'Twas down where the blue grass grows
It occurred in a place where the blue grass thrives
Your lips were sweeter then julep when you wore that tulip
The taste of your lips was even more delightful than a refreshing julep when you had that tulip
And I wore a big red rose
And I displayed my affection by wearing a striking big red rose
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS BARBER, JACK MAHONEY (DP)_, PERCY WENRICH (DP)
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind