Roe was raised in Atlanta, Georgia where he attended Brown High School and was part of band. Greatly influenced by the sounds of the late Buddy Holly, Tommy Roe developed a unique style that, combined with his All-American clean-cut image, made him a popular musical performer throughout the 1960s. In April of 1961 he became a father to daughter Cynthia; he has 3 grandchildren.
Roe had a Billboard No.1 hit record hit in the United States and in Australia in 1962 with the song, "Sheila" and the following year scored two Top 10 hits with "Everybody" and the critically acclaimed "The Folk Singer" written by Merle Kilgore. Following the enormously successful tour of the United Kingdom by friend Roy Orbison, Tommy Roe toured there and then moved to England where he lived for several years. In 1965, he and Jerry Lee Lewis combined with Orbison to create an LP for the Pickwick International label. During the 1960s, he had several more top forty hits. In 1969, his song "Dizzy" went to No.1 on the UK Singles Chart as well as to Billboard's No.1 in the USA. His final Top 40 single was "Jam Up and Jelly Tight" in 1970.
A resident of Beverly Hills, California, Roe is married to Josette Banzet, an actress from France who won a Golden Globe Award for best supporting for her performance in the 1976 television mini-series, Rich Man, Poor Man. His daughter Cynthia still resides in Georgia with her family.
In 1986, Tommy Roe was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and his pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Although his style of music declined in popularity with the 1970s mass market, Tommy Roe maintained a following and continued to perform at a variety of concert venues, sometimes with sixties nostalgia rock and rollers such as Freddy Cannon and Bobby Vee.
Partial discography (singles)
* "Sheila" (1962)
* "Everybody" (1963)
* "The Folk Singer" (1963)
* "Sweet Pea" (1966)
* "Hooray for Hazel" (1966)
* "Dizzy" (1969)
* "Jack And Jill" (1969)
* "Jam Up and Jelly Tight" (1970)
Jack and Jill
Tommy Roe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or Jill won't be impressed
Hey Jill you better get right
'Cause Jack expects the best
The temperature is risin' and excitement's in the air
Girls buy new bikinis and beauticians dye their hair
Health clubs are overcrowded with young men
So hey Jack you better get right
Or Jill won't be impressed
Hey Jill you better get right
'Cause Jack expects the best
Sports cars, hot rods, Cadillacs and Jeeps
Pretty girls sittin' on the beach admiring men's physiques
Bands of motorcyclists are riding through the parks
Diggin' girls in mini skirts, and tryin' to win their hearts
So hey Jack you better get right
Or Jill won't be impressed
Hey Jill you better get right
'Cause Jack expects the best
Summer nights and city lights create an atmosphere
Girls and boys begin to dance to the music that they hear
Jack you better look your best 'cause competition's tough
Jill you better wear a mini skirt that's short enough
So hey Jack you better get right
Or Jill won't be impressed
Hey Jill you better get right
'Cause Jack expects the best
Hey Jack you better get right
Or Jill won't be impressed
Hey Jill you better get right
'Cause Jack expects the best
Hey Jack you better get right
Or Jill won't be impressed
Hey Jill you better get right
'Cause Jack expects the best
So hey Jack you better get right
Tommy Roe's 1966 hit song "Jack and Jill" is a lighthearted commentary on the excitement and pressure that comes with summer romance. The song warns both Jack and Jill that they need to look and act their best in order to impress each other, given the intense competition for attention among their peers. The lyrics describe a world of beautiful bodies, stylish clothing, and aggressive posturing in pursuit of sexual conquest.
The song is set against the backdrop of a sultry summer, with the temperature rising and the air filled with excitement. Boys and girls are competing for each other's attention, with new bikinis, dyed hair, and toned bodies on display. Health clubs are packed with young men trying to improve their physiques. Motorcyclists ride through the parks looking for girls in mini skirts to impress. The song also emphasizes the importance of looking good in social situations, with references to sports cars, hot rods, and city lights providing a glamorous settings for romantic encounters.
Despite its light tone and upbeat melody, "Jack and Jill" can be read as a critique of the intense pressure to conform to idealized standards of attractiveness and behavior. The repeated refrain "Hey Jack, you better get right, or Jill won't be impressed" suggests that both parties are performing for each other rather than simply enjoying each other's company. The song underscores the idea that summertime is a time of heightened expectations and social competition, and that young people are constantly trying to outdo each other in order to win attention and admiration.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Jack you better get right
Jack needs to get his act together
Or Jill won't be impressed
Jill won't be impressed with Jack's behavior
Hey Jill you better get right
Jill needs to improve herself as well
'Cause Jack expects the best
Jack has high expectations of Jill
The temperature is risin' and excitement's in the air
Summer is here and people are getting excited
Girls buy new bikinis and beauticians dye their hair
Girls are preparing for summer by buying new swimwear and coloring their hair
Health clubs are overcrowded with young men
Many men are trying to get into shape for summer
Concerned and unhappy with conditions that they're in
These men are not satisfied with their current physical condition
Sports cars, hot rods, Cadillacs and Jeeps
Men are showing off their cars
Pretty girls sittin' on the beach admiring men's physiques
Girls are checking out the guys on the beach
Bands of motorcyclists are riding through the parks
Motorcyclists are enjoying their summer rides
Diggin' girls in mini skirts, and tryin' to win their hearts
These guys are trying to impress girls wearing mini skirts
Summer nights and city lights create an atmosphere
The summer nights in the city have a special atmosphere
Girls and boys begin to dance to the music that they hear
People are starting to dance to the summer music
Jack you better look your best 'cause competition's tough
Jack needs to look good because there's a lot of competition
Jill you better wear a mini skirt that's short enough
Jill needs to wear a short mini skirt to get Jack's attention
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ROE, WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Harry S. Anchan
One of my all-time favorites. Almost as good as "Dizzy". Released on July 5, 1969 reaching #53 on October 18. Long live 1969!
Scott Reppert
One of the greatest singles of all-time, considering the quality contained on both sides...
Henry Johnson
Sounds pretty good, Stany! I have always been a huge fan of Tommy Roe. Keep it up! -Henry
Stany Vanclee
He is the best Henry ;-) Thanks for lookin' !
Henry Johnson
You are welcome! A fan of Tommy is a friend of mine :) Thanks and keep up the good work! -Henry. P.S. Do you by any chance have his song "Sha Na Na Na"? That's one of my favorites of his ("Sweet Pea" is my favorite)
Stany Vanclee
For you ! ;-) https://youtu.be/QsJDs3alQO0
Jerry Ramsey
This song is on the album also.🙂
Keith McGirt
Thanks. I could listen to this many more times.. I will. Sounds pristene
John Congram
He also sung a very nice song called, *The Room *.
HargroveFilms1
I enjoyed this, very good.