Jackson was still in high school when country singer Hank Thompson heard her sing on an Oklahoma City radio show and asked her to record with his band in 1954. She dated Elvis Presley, who encouraged her to step away from the country-tinged gospel she had been performing since childhood and try her hand at rock and roll. She developed her own distinctive voice and performed in a variety of styles, from folksy traditional tunes to country twang and high yodels to throaty, suggestive ballads. She was a prolific singer of songs with wry lyrics such as "Fujiyama Mama," which contained many references to the World War II bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; ironically, it became a #1 hit in Japan. Her biggest hit was 1959's "Let's Have a Party."
Jackson achieved great and continuing success throughout Europe, Asia, and Australia, but has never found the same level of fame in her native United States. She toured with rock and roll pioneers such as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Buddy Holly. She has been nominated for two Grammys, and has been awarded the Oklahoma Native Daughter Award. She has been inducted into the Oklahoma Country Music Hall of Fame, the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, the International Hall of Fame, the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, and the German Country Music Hall of Fame, and in 2009 was finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an Early Influence.
A born-again Christian, Jackson and her husband/manager Wendell Goodman abandoned rock and roll in 1971 and spent the next 25 years performing gospel in churches.
In 1996, Jackson was invited by alt-country singer Rosie Flores to duet with her on an upcoming album. The two were so pleased with the results that Jackson joined Flores on a handful of promotional club dates which were soon extended into a five-week North American tour. Jackson, plesantly surprised to discover that she and her songs were known by a generation of rockabilly fans her grandchildren's age, soon assembled her own band and returned to clubs and festivals, where she continues to perform.
In recent years Jackson has recorded with such artists as The Cramps, Lee Rocker, Dave Alvin, and Elvis Costello. 2006 saw the release of a new Jackson album, I Remember Elvis.
In 2009, it was announced that Jackson would start work on new recordings with Jack White. The resulting album, The Party Ain't Over, was released on January 25, 2011. It included a cover of the Bob Dylan rockabilly song, "Thunder on the Mountain" and the Amy Winehouse song "You Know I'm No Good". On January 20, 2011, she performed with Jack White on The Late Show With David Letterman and again on January 25, 2011, on Conan.
Box It Came In
Wanda Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'm a walking on cardboard in my last dollar dress
I looked in the closet for my wedding gown
But the box that it came in was all that I found
He took everything with him that wasn't nailed down
Bet he's got a new sweetheart to fill my wedding gown
But somewhere I'll find him then I'll have peace of mind
And the box he comes home in will be all satin lined
He took everything with him that wasn't nailed down
Bet he's got a new sweetheart to fill my wedding gown
But somewhere I'll find him then I'll have peace of mind
And the box he comes home in will be all satin lined
The Box It Came In is a poignant song by Wanda Jackson that speaks about the aftermath of a broken relationship. Jackson croons about her present impoverished state, suggesting that all she is left with are shabby clothes and a cardboard on which she walks around. She had hoped to find solace in her wedding gown, but it turns out that her ex-lover had taken everything with him that wasn't nailed down, presumably to leave no reminders of her. She speculates that he has found a new girlfriend who now fills her wedding gown. Despite the pain, she remains resolute, and hints that someday she will find him, and when she does, the box he comes home in will be "all satin lined." This final line is a powerful metaphor for the fact that she will make sure to give him the proper burial he deserves, even though he hurt her deeply.
This song is a beautiful and a heartbreaking reminder of the pain that comes with broken relationships. It highlights the feelings of regret, loss, and betrayal that one feels when someone they once loved decides to leave them. It also shows that the pain may be overwhelming, but it eventually gives way to the hope of regaining one's pride and dignity.
Line by Line Meaning
My clothes are all ragged my goodwill coat's not the best
My clothing is worn-out and my coat, which I got from a thrift store, is not of good quality.
And I'm a walking on cardboard in my last dollar dress
I am so poor, I am walking on cardboard, and the only dress I have left is the cheapest one I could afford.
I looked in the closet for my wedding gown
I searched through my closet for my wedding dress.
But the box that it came in was all that I found
However, all I could find was the box that my wedding dress came in.
He took everything with him that wasn't nailed down
My ex-partner left and took everything that wasn't anchored or sealed to the ground.
Bet he's got a new sweetheart to fill my wedding gown
I suspect he has a new lover who will wear my wedding dress.
But somewhere I'll find him then I'll have peace of mind
Nevertheless, I will eventually locate him, and I will be at ease.
And the box he comes home in will be all satin lined
When he inevitably returns, the box he comes back in will be decorated with smooth and glossy satin fabric, in contrast to the box that contained my cherished wedding dress.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: VIC MCALPIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@patriciadimaggiosiergiej92
Love her country the best! Better than anything out there now!
@cravenmoorehead5
I like Wanda's rockabilly but her country is soooooo good!!
@mdmarko
Incredible talent! Blows today's "artists" away!
@tkparrish31
She's got that twang going on especially when she sings the line about him taking everything that wasn't nailed down. Love it. It's natural! The voice God gave her. No auto-tune needed!
@ruthboykin9873
Oh My, could she sing this song! love love it! Thank you, Jack!
@JWGauntt
you're very welcome
@bnajbert
Real country music, not the garbage out there now.
@nilanisiriwardena5019
YOU ARE FABULOUS WANDA. TOO BEAUTIFUL TO EVER FORGET. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.
@francisfouquet332
Magnifiques wanda Jackson. Et ce timbre de voix quelle possède. 👍💖
@lindaloo206
Listen ya all!!!! The Cabal is coming down. And our future favorite singers will be our