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.
Cold Cold Heart
Wanda Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I tried so hard my dear to show that you're my every dream
Yet you're afraid each thing I do is just some evil scheme
A mem'ry from your lonely past keeps us so far apart
Why can't I free your debtful mind and melt your cold cold heart
Another love before my time made your heart sad and blue
And so my heart is paying now for things I didn't do
In anger unkind words are said that make the teardrops start
(Cold cold heart)
There was a time when I believed that you belonged to me
But now I know your heart is shackled to a memory
The more I learn to care for you the more we drift apart
Why can't I free your debtful mind and melt your cold cold heart
(Cold cold heart)
Wanda Jackson’s “Cold Cold Heart” is a song about unrequited love and a partner who just can’t seem to let go of the past. The lyrics open with the singer proclaiming her love for her partner and her struggles to convince him that her affection is genuine. Yet, despite her efforts, her partner remains wary and suspicious of her intentions, convinced that she has ulterior motives. The cause of her partner’s paranoia is revealed in the second verse, when the singer learns that his previous relationship left him with deep emotional scars.
Throughout the song, the singer laments the distance between herself and her partner, which she attributes to his “debtful mind.” His inability to let go of his past has created a barrier between them that she cannot overcome. She longs for him to open up to her and release the pain that has been holding him back. Despite her best efforts, however, she cannot seem to reach him, and their relationship continues to fray.
The lyrics of “Cold Cold Heart” are powerful and emotional, embodying the pain of love that is unrequited and a relationship that cannot be saved. The song remains a classic today, beloved by fans of country and rockabilly music alike.
Line by Line Meaning
(Cold cold heart)
The singer is addressing the person with a cold heart.
I tried so hard my dear to show that you're my every dream
The singer made a lot of effort to prove that the person they love is everything to them.
Yet you're afraid each thing I do is just some evil scheme
However, the person with a cold heart is scared that every action of the singer is just a ploy to manipulate them.
A mem'ry from your lonely past keeps us so far apart
The reason for the person's cold heart is due to a painful memory from their past, creating a distance between them and the artist.
Why can't I free your debtful mind and melt your cold cold heart
The artist is pleading to understand why they can't help alleviate the person's burden and warm their heart.
Another love before my time made your heart sad and blue
The person's previous lover caused them pain, which affects their current relationship with the singer despite the latter's innocence.
And so my heart is paying now for things I didn't do
The singer is suffering the consequences of the person's past relationship despite not being responsible for it.
In anger unkind words are said that make the teardrops start
During arguments, harsh words are exchanged, causing the person with a cold heart to cry.
How can't I free your debtful mind and melt your cold cold heart
The artist is still questioning why they can't help the person move on and be happy.
(Cold cold heart)
The chorus reiterates the theme of the song, addressing the person with a cold heart.
There was a time when I believed that you belonged to me
The singer once thought they had a deep connection with the person but now realizes that they were mistaken.
But now I know your heart is shackled to a memory
The person's heart is still tied to a painful memory, and the artist understands why they can't let go.
The more I learn to care for you the more we drift apart
Despite the singer's growing affection for the person, the distance between their hearts continues to grow.
Why can't I free your debtful mind and melt your cold cold heart
The singer repeats their questions, desperate to understand how to help the person overcome their emotional pain.
(Cold cold heart)
The chorus repeats one last time as the singer ends their plea to the person with a cold heart.
Contributed by Elena T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
William Moore
Solid double, best singer and best country song.
Kenneth King
Love Wanda Jackson !! Eat your heart out Taylor Swift money can't buy a great voice
alex arolas garcia
Esta bonita canción la canto HANK WILLIAMS en el año 1951 y la versiono en el año 1964 WANDA JACKSON
dm9542
Brenda Lee & Wanda Jackson........two beauties & cutie patooties !
Joe Davis
Yeah!