Wanda Jackson (born Wanda Lavonne Jackson, October 20, 1937 in Maud, Oklaho… Read Full Bio ↴Wanda Jackson (born Wanda Lavonne Jackson, October 20, 1937 in Maud, Oklahoma) is an American rock and roll singer. Having made her debut recordings at the age of nineteen, she became one of the first popular female rock and roll singers in history and as a result, a pioneering and influential figure in female musicianship. She is known as the "Queen (or First Lady) of Rockabilly."

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.

Day Dreamin'
Wanda Jackson Lyrics

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You're the sweetest daydream that I've ever known
I keep you on my mind the whole day thought
If I can't hold you in my arms I'll hold you in my heart
Until that lovely daydream can come true
Day dreamin' with you on my mind thinking bout you waitin' for the time
When my arms can hold you and I'll make you mine just day dreamin' all the time
[ guitar ]
I gazed into my daydream a picture came to me

No scene with color splendor could compare
But I would nestle in your arms a baby on the floor

Sweet music from heaven fill the air
Day dreamin' with you on my mind...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Wanda Jackson's song "Daydreamin'" express a hopefulness and longing for a relationship that is currently out of reach. The singer describes the person they're daydreaming about as the sweetest daydream they've ever known, and admits to thinking about them constantly. They long to hold this person in their arms, but until that can happen, they will hold them in their heart. The idea of daydreaming implies a sort of escapism, a way of coping with the reality that this relationship isn't currently possible.

The imagery in the lyrics helps to paint a vivid picture of the singer's daydreams. They describe a scene where they're nestled in the arms of their love, with a baby on the floor and sweet music filling the air. These daydreams are a way for the singer to hold onto hope for the future, even when things may feel impossible in the present.

Overall, the lyrics of "Daydreamin'" capture the bittersweet feelings of longing for something just out of reach. The singer holds onto hope for the future, even if it's only in their daydreams for now.

Line by Line Meaning

You're the sweetest daydream that I've ever known
You are the most enchanting daydream that I have ever experienced.

I keep you on my mind the whole day thought
I think about you constantly throughout the entire day.

If I can't hold you in my arms I'll hold you in my heart
If I cannot physically embrace you, I will cherish you within my soul.

Until that lovely daydream can come true
Until the time that my beautiful daydream becomes a reality.

Day dreamin' with you on my mind thinking about you waitin' for the time
Lost in thought dreaming of you, waiting for the moment when I can have you close to me.

When my arms can hold you and I'll make you mine just day dreamin' all the time
When I can finally embrace you and make you my own, I will continue to daydream about us constantly.

[ guitar ]
Instrumental break

I gazed into my daydream a picture came to me
As I drifted in my daydream, a vision appeared in my mind.

No scene with color splendor could compare
There is no magnificent sight that can compete with the image of you in my mind.

But I would nestle in your arms a baby on the floor
In my daydream, I picture myself snuggled in your embrace with a child on the ground nearby.

Sweet music from heaven fill the air
There is an enchanting melody surrounding us from above.

Day dreamin' with you on my mind...
Lost in thought dreaming of you, waiting for the moment when I can have you close to me.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRIAN KENNEDY SEALS, RYAN BUENDIA, JEAN BAPTISTE KOUAME, MICHAEL OJIKE MCHENRY, MELISSA LAUREN YOUNG, ALAIN GORDON WHYTE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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