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.
Fancy Satin Pillows
Wanda Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For me to place beneath my head
I must admit they're very nice
But I would rather have your arms instead
To have you here beside me just feel your warmth
So very close is what I need
More than all the fancy satin pillows
Still I thank you for the fancy satin pillows
I don't mean to be unkind
But I can't use 'em both and I thought
Sharing them was what you had in mind
In the stillness of the night to have your arms
Reach out and pull me close so tenderly
Means more than all the fancy satin pillows
You could ever buy for me
Still I thank you for the fancy satin pillows
I don't mean to be unkind
But I can't use 'em both and I thought
Sharing them was what you had in mind
In the stillness of the night to have your arms
Reach out and pull me close so tenderly
Means more than all the fancy satin pillows
You could ever buy for me
Means more than all the fancy satin pillows
You could ever buy for me
In "Fancy Satin Pillows," Wanda Jackson sings about her lover giving her fancy satin pillows to rest her head on. Although these pillows are a nice gesture, she reveals that they don't compare to the comfort and intimacy of her lover's arms. She longs for his touch and to be held close to him, rather than the material gift he has given her. She shows gratitude for his thoughtfulness but reveals that true love and connection are more valuable to her than any fancy material gifts.
The song speaks to the idea that material possessions cannot replace the warmth and intimacy of human connection. It highlights the fact that love and affection cannot be bought with money or gifts. Instead, they are intangible aspects that require emotional investment and connection between two people.
The lyrics show an emotional tug-of-war between the desire for material possessions and genuine emotional connection. Jackson expresses her love and gratitude for the gift, but ultimately acknowledges that it doesn't compare to the fulfillment of being close to her lover. The song beautifully highlights the importance of emotional intimacy and how it trumps material possessions in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Fancy satin pillows that you bought
Referring to the fancy satin pillows the person has bought for her
For me to place beneath my head
Explaining what the pillows are for
I must admit they're very nice
Acknowledging the quality of the pillows
But I would rather have your arms instead
Expressing the singer's preference for the person's arms over the pillows
To have you here beside me just feel your warmth
Explaining what the singer wants from the person
So very close is what I need
Reiterating the desired closeness
More than all the fancy satin pillows
Comparing the person's arms to the pillows
You could ever buy for me
Emphasizing the singer's preference for the person's arms
Still I thank you for the fancy satin pillows
Acknowledging the gift again
I don't mean to be unkind
Clarifying the singer's intentions
But I can't use 'em both and I thought
Explaining why the singer doesn't want the pillows
Sharing them was what you had in mind
Assuming the person wanted to share the pillows
In the stillness of the night to have your arms
Describing the desired situation
Reach out and pull me close so tenderly
Detailing how the person's arms should be used
Means more than all the fancy satin pillows
Reiterating the comparison of the person's arms to the pillows
You could ever buy for me
Emphasizing the value of the person's arms over the pillows
Means more than all the fancy satin pillows
Repeating the main point
You could ever buy for me
Reiterating the value of the person's arms
Lyrics © DIXIE JANE MUSIC
Written by: DEE MOELLER, JAN L. CRUTCHFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pamela Rasmussen
Thank you for Wanda. I don't think she got the recognition for her country music she should have, In the 60's I loved her music.
Muzikgirl67
JUST AS GOOD AS GOLD!!...Thank you soooo much for posting and sharing this "rarely heard anymore" lil' country gem that reached #13 back in February 1971...I thoroughly enjoyed it!...(and the sound quality is EXCELLENT too!!)...take care! :)
alex arolas garcia
Esta buena canción la canto WANDA JACKSON en el año 1970
Mr Bally
I remember hearing this first on WEXL AM-1340 in Detroit. Bought the 45 at Collins Record Shop on W. Vernor & Livernois in Detroit. Mr. Collins was trip. Old school and not politically correct, if you know what I mean.