After taking a brief recording hiatus in the mid-1990s to start a family with her husband, songwriter Doug Crider, Bogguss returned to the country music scene to find that her charting power had already faded. Although she last appeared on the Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart in 1999, Bogguss continues to record and perform around the country to a loyal following.
Her most recent recordings have ventured into swing and jazz variations of country. These albums really showcase the tremendous talent in her voice. Suzy is a true singer, and her voice has so much versatility.
In 2014, Suzy added an album of Merle Haggard songs entitled "Lucky". The country & western flavor dominates this album, unlike some of her other recent work. To promote this new album, Suzy has embarked on a nationwide tour.
In The Jailhouse Now
Suzy Bogguss Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He'd cheat and steal and gamble
And I guess, he tried most everything lowdown
He was out tomcattin' last night
When he got in a great big fight
And then a big policeman came
And slapped him down
(He's in the jailhouse now)
He's in the jailhouse now
(He's in the jailhouse now)
Well, I told him once or twice to quit
Drinkin' gin and shootin' dice
He's in the jailhouse now
Well, when I met Bill's old gal Saddie
And she said, "Have you seen my baby?"
And I told her, he was downtown in the can
Well, old Saddie she started fussin'
She went down to the jailhouse a cussin'
She said, "I come down here to get my man"
She's in the jailhouse now
(She's in the jailhouse now)
She's in the jailhouse now
(She's in the jailhouse now)
So you can understand how little old Saddie
Got throwed in the can
She's in the jailhouse now
Well, old Bill broke out one day
I guess, he thought he get away
But at the railway station they took him by the arm
The chief said, "I've come for you"
And Bill said, "Now, this won't do"
Because Bill Campbell never was my name
He's in the jailhouse now
(He's in the jailhouse now)
He's in the jailhouse now
(He's in the jailhouse now)
Well, old Bill he broke out
And all over town the fool walked about
He's in the jailhouse now
He's in the jailhouse now
(He's in the jailhouse now)
Well, I told him once or twice to quit
Drinkin' gin and shootin' dice
He's in the jailhouse now
The song "In The Jailhouse Now" by Suzy Bogguss and Chet Atkins is a classic country hit that tells a story about a man named Campbell who, despite being warned by the singer, continues to engage in lowdown behavior, such as cheating, stealing, and gambling. Campbell ends up in jail after getting into a fight while out tomcatting. Meanwhile, a woman named Saddie goes to the jailhouse looking for her man, and then also ends up getting locked up. Finally, when Bill breaks out of jail, the singer reveals that he wasn't even Bill Campbell but was mistaken for him by the police.
The lyrics of the song are about the consequences of living a life that's not on the right path, including the sense of despair and hopelessness that comes with being behind bars. The song also highlights the concept of being caught in a cycle of repeated mistakes and bad decisions. The repeated lines throughout the song serve as a reminder of the permanence of Campbell's and Saddie's situations, and the doomed nature of their encounters with the law.
Overall, "In The Jailhouse Now" is a somber yet entertaining tribute to the power of storytelling that is characteristic of classic country music.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I knew a man named Campbell
I once had an acquaintance with a man named Campbell
He'd cheat and steal and gamble
He had a history of dishonesty and gambling
And I guess, he tried most everything lowdown
He had a habit of engaging in unsavory activities
He was out tomcattin' last night
He was engaging in promiscuous behavior
When he got in a great big fight
He got into a serious altercation
And then a big policeman came
A police officer arrived at the scene
And slapped him down
The police officer used force to restrain him
He's in the jailhouse now
He is currently in jail
(He's in the jailhouse now)
(He's still in jail)
Well, I told him once or twice to quit
I advised him on multiple occasions to stop his problematic behavior
Drinkin' gin and shootin' dice
Drinking heavily and gambling
Well, when I met Bill's old gal Saddie
When I met Bill's former partner, Saddie
And she said, "Have you seen my baby?"
She asked if I had seen Bill recently
And I told her, he was downtown in the can
I informed her that Bill was in jail
Well, old Saddie she started fussin'
Saddie began to get upset
She went down to the jailhouse a cussin'
She went to the jailhouse while using profanity
She said, "I come down here to get my man"
She declared her intention to secure Bill's release
She's in the jailhouse now
She too ended up in jail
(She's in the jailhouse now)
(She's currently in jail)
So you can understand how little old Saddie
It's understandable why Saddie
Got throwed in the can
Ended up in jail
Well, old Bill broke out one day
At some point, Bill escaped from jail
I guess, he thought he get away
He probably believed he could elude the authorities
But at the railway station they took him by the arm
However, he was caught at the train station
The chief said, "I've come for you"
The police chief informed Bill of his capture
And Bill said, "Now, this won't do"
Bill expressed dissatisfaction with being caught
Because Bill Campbell never was my name
He claimed that his name was not actually Bill Campbell
He's in the jailhouse now
He is back in jail
(He's in the jailhouse now)
(He's currently in jail)
Well, old Bill he broke out
Despite escaping once, Bill was eventually recaptured
And all over town the fool walked about
After his escape, he recklessly wandered around town
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JIMMIE RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind