Messina debuted in 1996 with the single "Heads Carolina, Tails California". Her album was certifified Gold by the RIAA. Her second album, I'm Alright produced five Top 10 Country hits between 1998 in 1999 and sold over a million copies in America. Since her debut, six of her singles have peaked at #1 on the Billboard Country singles chart and five of her albums have received a certification by the RIAA or the CRIA.
She was raised in Holliston, Massachusetts, by Vincent and Mary Messina, and had two sisters, Terese and Marianne, as well as a brother named Vincent. Messina had a variety of Country music influences, which included Patsy Cline, Reba McEntire, and The Judds. She soon started performing live, and by age 16 she was playing local clubs with a rhythm section made up of her brother and sister. The family band played up until Messina was in her late teens.
Realizing that living in the Northeast would limit her chances of achieving Country music stardom, Messina moved to Nashville at age 19. To support herself, Messina worked various temp jobs, including computer programming and accounting. In her spare time, she entered talent contests around Nashville.
One win led to a regular gig on the radio show Live at Libby's, which in turn caught the interest of producer Byron Gallimore, who helped her assemble a demo tape. Gallimore was also working with the young Tim McGraw around the same time, and Messina befriended him. Backstage at one of his concerts, Messina met an executive from his label, Curb, and jokingly suggested that they needed a redhead. With the help of fellow Curb producer James Stroud, Messina was then signed to the record label. Gallimore and McGraw would later become co-producers of Messina's studio albums under Curb.
In 2022, Cole Swindell had a major hit with a remake of "Heads Carolina, Tails California" entitled "She Had Me At Heads Carolina." In the music video, Jo Dee plays a small part as the bartender in a Karaoke bar.
Saturday Night
Jo Dee Messina Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a feel like new years eve
Short dress, de-stress, tonight I couldn't care less
Take a look at me
So I put myself together
Paint my lips and lashes on
?cause I know there's someone out there
It's the night of the week
When my dreams hit the street
With boots and blue jeans on
Take a shot at romance, do I stand a chance
Will destiny be good to me
It's the thrill of the kiss that on Monday I'll miss
When I look back and say
Oh my lord you should have seen me Saturday
Saturday night
Mary's gotta mustang
We all pile in
Downtown, top down, rockin' while we ride around
Let the night begin
I'm just searchin' for a dreamer
Who'll steal my heart away
Strong and shy with I dare you eyes
And a smile that lights the way
It's the night of the week
When my dreams hit the street
With boots and blue jeans on
Take a shot at romance, do I stand a chance
Will destiny be good to me
It's the thrill of the kiss that on Monday I'll miss
When I look back and say
Oh my lord you should have seen me Saturday
Saturday night
Five days out of seven slavin'
I need one that's just for me
It's the thrill of the kiss that on Monday I'll miss
When I look back and say
Oh my lord you should have seen me Saturday
Saturday, oh Saturday, Saturday
Oh Saturday, Saturday night
The song is a tribute to the off-work, weekend life where people let themselves go and have fun, without worrying about their work or responsibilities. The singer is excited to dress up and go out on a Saturday night. She puts on her best dress, applies some makeup, and sets out to find somebody to spend the night with. She is looking for a man with a heart of gold, somebody who will love her for who she is. She is hoping that destiny will bring this person to her on this special night. Saturday night is when her dreams come alive, and she is hoping that she will have a night to remember.
The singer sets out with her friends in Mary's Mustang, ready to hit the town. They drive around, enjoying the sights and sounds of the city, and hoping to meet someone special. The song portrays the excitement and anticipation of a typical weekend night out with friends. The singer is searching for a connection and is eager to find someone to share the night with. At the heart of the song is a message about living life to the fullest, having fun with friends, and seizing the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Every week it comes ?round
The feeling of excitement builds up as the night of the week approaches.
With a feel like new years eve
The intense excitement of the night feels like the New Year's Eve celebrations.
Short dress, de-stress, tonight I couldn't care less
Not caring about anything except enjoying the night, the singer wears a short dress without worrying about anything else.
Take a look at me
The artist encourages everyone to look at them, as they are ready to have fun.
So I put myself together
The artist gets ready by fixing themselves up.
Paint my lips and lashes on
The singer applies makeup, emphasizing their eyes and lips.
?cause I know there's someone out there
The singer is confident that someone is waiting for them.
Wantin' me to come along
The person is excited to spend time with the artist.
It's the night of the week
Saturday night holds a special place in the artist's heart.
When my dreams hit the street
The artist's desires come to the forefront on this special night.
With boots and blue jeans on
Comfortable clothing, such as boots and blue jeans, is worn by the singer.
Take a shot at romance, do I stand a chance
The artist is searching for a romantic encounter and wonders whether they will be successful.
Will destiny be good to me
The singer is unsure whether fate will be kind to them.
It's the thrill of the kiss that on Monday I'll miss
The singer is excited about the possibility of a romantic encounter and is already anticipating feeling wistful about it on Monday.
When I look back and say
Recalling the night, the singer will feel a sense of longing for the experience.
Oh my lord you should have seen me Saturday
The artist wishes that others had witnessed their experience on Saturday night.
Mary's gotta mustang
One of the artist's friends, Mary, owns a car that they will use for the night's adventure.
We all pile in
The singer and their group of friends get in Mary's car.
Downtown, top down, rockin' while we ride around
Cruising through the city with the top down and music on, the group gets pumped up for the night ahead.
Let the night begin
The artist is ready to start the night's festivities.
I'm just searchin' for a dreamer
The artist is looking for a romantic partner who is a dreamer.
Who'll steal my heart away
The artist wants to meet someone who will take their heart by storm.
Strong and shy with I dare you eyes
The imagined romantic partner is strong and reserved yet has an intense gaze.
And a smile that lights the way
The person that the artist is hoping to meet has a smile that warms the artist's heart.
Five days out of seven slavin'
The singer works for five days in a row and needs a night off to finally unwind.
I need one that's just for me
The singer needs this night to be solely dedicated to themselves.
Saturday, oh Saturday, Saturday
The singer repeats the name of the night, emphasizing how important it is to them.
Oh Saturday, Saturday night
The artist focuses on the excitement and anticipation that they feel for the night ahead.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TIM NICHOLS, ANNIE ROBOFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind