Anderson charted 12 No. 1, 18 Top 10, and more than 50 Top 40 hits. In addition to being named "Top Female Vocalist" by the Academy of Country Music (ACM) twice and "Female Vocalist of the Year" by the Country Music Association (CMA), Anderson won a Grammy Award (earning seven nominations), People's Choice Award and an American Music Award (AMA). She was named Billboard's Female Artist of the Decade (1970–1980).
Anderson was the first female country artist to win the American Music Award (in 1974), as well as the first to headline and sellout Madison Square Garden that same year.
Anderson debuted in 1966, at the age of 19, and had her first hit with Ride, Ride, Ride. After a series of Top 10 hit singles on the country charts during the late 1960s, Anderson signed with Columbia Records in 1970. Under Columbia, she had her most successful string of hits. Her signature song, "(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden", remains one of the biggest selling country crossover hits of all time. In addition, the song also went to No. 3 on the Billboard Pop Chart and reached the top of the charts in several countries, an unprecedented achievement at the time. CMT ranks "Rose Garden" at No. 83 on its list of the "100 Greatest Songs in Country Music History". Anderson continued to record and remained a popular concert attraction until her death, regularly headlining major casino showrooms, performing arts centers and theaters.
She grew up in Sacramento, California with her mother, acclaimed singer-songwriter Liz Anderson who wrote "The Fugitive" and "(All My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers", both Merle Haggard hits, among others. She began her solo career in 1966 with "In Person", followed by a hit with her mother's "If I Kiss You (Will You Go Away)".
In 1968 she married Glenn Sutton, a future Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, with whom she had a daughter, Lisa. (They divorced in 1977.)
Consistent hits followed, and she was a regular on The Lawrence Welk Show during the 1967-68 season. In 1969 Anderson signed to Columbia where her work veered a bit more toward a polished, pop sound. She released her signature song, "Rose Garden" in late 1970. The song, written by Joe South, won a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance reached number 1 on the U.S. country charts, and also hit number 3 on the pop charts, as well as being a hit in fifteen countries. Anderson also received Grammy nominations for her recordings "Big Girls Don't Cry" (1968), "That's a No No" (1969), and "How Can I Unlove You" (1971)> Anderson's other hits during this period included "You're My Man", "Listen to a Country Song", "Top of the World" (a number 1 country record for Anderson before becoming a pop hit for The Carpenters), "Cry", "Keep Me in Mind", "What a Man My Man Is" and "Smile For Me". In 1971, she was voted Top Female Vocalist of the year by both the Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association. Anderson charted eight no.one singles, 18 Top-Tens and earned a total of 17 international Gold records. She was perhaps the most in-demand country female vocalist on network television throughout the 1970's but after 1975 her records usually peaked in the top 20 as opposed to her earlier top ten success.
Anderson married a Louisiana businessman in 1978. The second marriage produced two more children, and she was divorced in 1982.
Anderson remained one of the top female country singers into the 1980's. Her last top ten record was 1984s "You're Welcome to Tonight". During the late 1980's and early 1990s, she received much press for her disputes with her now-divorced second husband. After spending time on her ranch, raising horses and participating in equestrian events, she began recording again in 1992.
"The Bluegrass Sessions", released in 2004, earned Anderson her first Grammy nomination in over 30 years.
That same year Anderson was arrested in Denton, Texas, for drunk driving.
The American Rose Society created and named in her honor a white and raspberry hybrid tea rose.
Anderson released a new CD of original songs entitled "Cowgirl" in 2006, all of the songs penned by her mother, the acclaimed songwriter Liz Anderson.
Just Like Jesse James
Lynn Anderson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just a small town dude with a big city attitude
Honey are you lookin' for some trouble tonight
Well alright
You think you're so bad, drive the women folk wild
Shoot 'em all down with the flash of your pearly smile
Honey but you met your match tonight
You think you'll knock me off my feet
'Til I'm flat on the floor
'Til my heart is cryin' Indian and I'm begin' for more
So come on baby
Come on baby
Come on baby show me what that loaded gun is for
If you can give it
I can take it
'Cause if this heart is gonna break it's gonna take a lot to break it
I know tonight
Somebody's gonna win the fight
So if you're so tough
Come on and prove it
Your heart is down for the count and you know you're gonna lose it
Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
Just like Jesse James
You're an outlaw lover and I'm after your hide
Well you ain't so strong, won't be long 'til your hands are tied
Tonight I'm gonna take you in
Dead or Alive
That's right
You break the laws of love in the name of desire
Take ten steps back
'Cause I'm ready baby
Aim and fire
Baby there's nowhere you gonna run tonight
Ooh That's right
Well you've had your way with love but it's the end of the day
Now a team of wild horses couldn't drag your heart away
So come on baby
Come on baby
Come on baby you know there ain't nothing left to say
If you can give it
I can take it
'Cause if this heart is gonna break it's gonna take a lot to break it
I know tonight
Somebody's gonna win the fight
So if you're so tough
Come on and prove it
Your heart is down for the count and you know you're gonna lose it
Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
Just like Jesse James
You think you'll knock me off my feet
'til I'm flat on the floor
'Til my heart is cryin' Indian and I'm begin' for more
So come on baby
Come on baby
Come on baby
Come on
If you can give it
I can take it
'Cause if this heart is gonna break it's gonna take a lot to break it
I know tonight
Somebody's gonna win the fight
So if you're so tough
Come on and prove it
Your heart is down for the count and you know you're gonna lose it
Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
Just like Jesse James
Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
Just like Jesse James
Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
Just like Jesse James
I'm gonna shoot ya down Jesse James
"Just Like Jesse James" is a song by Lynn Anderson released in 1980, it is a country-pop ballad that essentially tells the story of a woman who is up for a challenge with a man who thinks he's tough to handle. The lyrics speak to the man's overconfidence and arrogance, as well as the challenges he may face as he tries to woo the woman. She tells him he's met his match, and challenges him to bring his best game to try and win her heart. Overall, the song's message encourages confidence and bravery, but warns against being too cocky.
The song begins with a metaphor comparing the man to a gunslinger or outlaw, suggesting that he has an intimidating presence. The woman acknowledges his confidence, but warns him that he's bitten off more than he can chew with her. The lyrics continually reference the idea of a "fight," setting up a battle of the sexes scenario. The woman is confident in her own abilities and tells the man that he has met his match, insisting that if he can "give it" to her, she can take it. The song's message ultimately suggests that love is a competition where one person must emerge victorious, and encourages the woman to stand her ground, even when challenged by someone as tough as Jesse James.
Line by Line Meaning
You're struttin' into town like you're slingin' a gun
You are walking around town as if you own it all with a lot of confidence.
Just a small town dude with a big city attitude
You’re an individual from a small town, but you have an attitude like any other person from the big city.
Honey are you lookin' for some trouble tonight
Are you asking for trouble tonight, my dear?
Well alright
Okay then.
You think you're so bad, drive the women folk wild
You believe you are attractive and charismatic which attracts women.
Shoot 'em all down with the flash of your pearly smile
Your charming smile easily makes you get along with women.
Honey but you met your match tonight
However, tonight you have met someone equal to you.
Oh, that's right
That's accurate.
You think you'll knock me off my feet
You believe that you can make me fall for you.
'Til I'm flat on the floor
Until I am overwhelmed by your charm.
'Til my heart is cryin' Indian and I'm begin' for more
Till my heart starts aching, and I want more of you.
So come on baby
Come on, dear.
Come on baby
Come on, dear.
Come on baby show me what that loaded gun is for
Come on, dear, and show me the reason behind your constant confidence.
If you can give it
If you can handle it.
I can take it
I will handle it as well.
'Cause if this heart is gonna break it's gonna take a lot to break it
Because it takes a lot to break my heart.
I know tonight
I am sure that tonight.
Somebody's gonna win the fight
One of us will emerge victoriously.
So if you're so tough
If you are really tough.
Come on and prove it
Then prove it.
Your heart is down for the count and you know you're gonna lose it
You are already losing hope as your heart is ready for defeat.
Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
Tonight, you are going to fail terribly.
Just like Jesse James
Just like how Jesse James lost in his final battle.
You're an outlaw lover and I'm after your hide
You enjoy breaking the law to seek thrills, and I am trying to capture you.
Well you ain't so strong, won't be long 'til your hands are tied
You are not as strong as you perceive to be, and soon enough, you will be captured.
Tonight I'm gonna take you in
Tonight, I will catch you.
Dead or Alive
However, that would be only possible alive or dead.
That's right
That’s absolutely right.
You break the laws of love in the name of desire
You transgress the fundamental laws of love for the sake of feeding your desires.
Take ten steps back
Back away for a second.
'Cause I'm ready baby
Because I’m ready, dear.
Aim and fire
Be prepared to shoot.
Baby there's nowhere you gonna run tonight
Tonight, there will be nowhere for you to hide.
Ooh That's right
Indeed, that's true.
Well you've had your way with love but it's the end of the day
You have done things your way with love, but it is the end of that streak.
Now a team of wild horses couldn't drag your heart away
Nothing will change your mind now.
Come on baby you know there ain't nothing left to say
Come on, dear, you know there's nothing else to talk about.
If you can give it
If you can handle it.
I can take it
I will handle it as well.
'Cause if this heart is gonna break it's gonna take a lot to break it
Because it takes a lot to break my heart.
I know tonight
I am sure that tonight.
Somebody's gonna win the fight
One of us will emerge victoriously.
So if you're so tough
If you are really tough.
Come on and prove it
Show me.
Your heart is down for the count and you know you're gonna lose it
You are already losing hope as your heart is ready for defeat.
Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
Tonight, you are going to lose terribly.
Just like Jesse James
Just like how Jesse James lost in his final battle.
You think you'll knock me off my feet
You believe that you can make me fall for you.
'Til I'm flat on the floor
Until I am overwhelmed by your charm.
'Til my heart is cryin' Indian and I'm begin' for more
Till my heart starts aching, and I want more of you.
So come on baby
Come on, dear.
Come on baby
Come on, dear.
Come on baby
Come on, dear.
Come on
Come on!
If you can give it
If you can handle it.
I can take it
I will handle it as well.
'Cause if this heart is gonna break it's gonna take a lot to break it
Because it takes a lot to break my heart.
I know tonight
I am sure that tonight.
Somebody's gonna win the fight
One of us will emerge victoriously.
So if you're so tough
If you are really tough.
Come on and prove it
Then prove it.
Your heart is down for the count and you know you're gonna lose it
You are already losing hope as your heart is ready for defeat.
Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
Tonight, you are going to lose terribly.
Just like Jesse James
Just like how Jesse James lost in his final battle.
Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
Tonight, you are going to fail terribly.
Just like Jesse James
Just like how Jesse James lost in his final battle.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Desmond Child, Diane Eve Warren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alberto Ballesteros
I really LOVE this song! It's so full of passion and force!!! I love Lynn Anderson, she's amazing!
Terry Rudenick
A super performance from Lynn!
lynnandersonfan
Lynn just turned 67 years old and she still has an awesome voice!!!!! She recorded this song for the All Star Salute to Cher CD a few years ago, and she sounds great! Love Lynn and her beautiful singing voice!!!!!
StaceyDMify
Lynn Anderson singing Cher ... how cool is that? I'm impressed with her cover of the song. Good to hear this country icon's still got it.
James Kingsmill
Never heard this. Love it.
stuvideo
I wish she would "plant another Rose Garden" and show the newer country acts how it's done
StaceyDMify
that voice sounds nothing like the one that sang Rose Garden & all those other hits in the '70s .... she's got a mature, gravely voice now. I like.
stuvideo
I wish she would "plant another Rose Garden" and show the newer country acts how its done/