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.

Happy Happy Birthday Baby
Wanda Jackson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Some people like to rock, some people like to roll
But movin' and a-groovin's gonna satisfy my soul
Let's have a party
Hoo, let's have a party
Well, send 'im to the store, let's buy some more
Let's have a party tonight

I never kissed a bear, I never kissed a goon

But I can shake a chicken in the middle of the room
Let's have a party
Hoo, let's have a party
Well, send 'im to the store, let's buy some more
Let's have a party tonight

I never kissed a bear, I never kissed a goon
But I can shake a chicken in the middle of the room
Let's have a party
Hoo, let's have a party
Well, send 'im to the store, let's buy some more
Let's have a party tonight

Honky-Tonky' Joe is knockin' at the door
Bring him in an' fill 'im up an' sit 'im on the floor
Let's have a party
Hoo, let's have a party
Well, send 'im to the store, let's buy some more
Let's have a party tonight

The meat is on the stove, the bread's a-gettin' hot
Everybody run, they got the possum in the pot
Let's have a party
Hoo, let's have a party
Well, send 'im to the store, let's buy some more
Let's have a party tonight
Let's have a party tonight

Let's have a party tonight
We're gonna have a party tonight

Overall Meaning

The song "Let's Have a Party" by Wanda Jackson is a classic rock and roll anthem that celebrates the joy of dancing and socializing. The opening lines set the tone for the upbeat and lively song, with the admission that different people have different preferences when it comes to music, but what matters most is the feeling it gives you. Dancing and grooving is what satisfies the soul, and it's the perfect excuse to have a party.

The infectious chorus "Let's have a party" repeats throughout the song, encouraging listeners to let loose and enjoy themselves. The verse about kissing a bear or a goon sounds absurd but is actually referencing a popular dance move of the era, the "Bear Cat" or "Goon" dance. The song includes a number of other colorful phrases, from "shake a chicken" to "possum in the pot," that contribute to the fun and playful nature of the lyrics.

Overall, "Let's Have a Party" is a catchy and upbeat song that celebrates the joy of getting together with friends and dancing the night away. It taps into the universal human desire to let loose and have a good time, making it a timeless classic.

Line by Line Meaning

Some people like to rock, some people like to roll
Different people have different preferences when it comes to music.

But movin' and a-groovin's gonna satisfy my soul
However, I feel happiest when I'm dancing and enjoying myself.

Let's have a party
Let's come together and celebrate.

Hoo, let's have a party
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm for the idea of having a party.

Well, send 'im to the store, let's buy some more
We need to get more supplies and refreshments for the party.

Let's have a party tonight
Let's not wait any longer, let's start the celebration tonight!

I never kissed a bear, I never kissed a goon
I'm just trying to have a good time, I don't need anything crazy or wild.

But I can shake a chicken in the middle of the room
However, I can definitely show off some dance moves and have fun doing it.

Honky-Tonky' Joe is knockin' at the door
One of our friends is here and ready to join in on the festivities!

Bring him in an' fill 'im up an' sit 'im on the floor
Let's get our friend some food and drinks and make sure they're comfortable.

The meat is on the stove, the bread's a-gettin' hot
We're getting the food ready for everyone to enjoy.

Everybody run, they got the possum in the pot
We've got some unique and tasty food options to offer at the party.

Let's have a party tonight Let's have a party tonight Let's have a party tonight We're gonna have a party tonight
Reiterating the idea that we're all ready to come together and celebrate tonight!

Lyrics © IMAGEM MUSIC INC
Written by: Jessie May Robinson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@gunaseeilan7979

Happy, happy birthday baby

Although you're with somebody new

Thought I drop a line to say

That I wish this happy day would find me beside you.

Happy, happy birthday baby

No I can't call you my baby

Seems like years it was we met

On a day I can't forget

Because that's when we fell in love

Do you remember, the names we had for each other

I was your pretty, you were my baby

How could we say goodbye?

Hope I didn't spoil your birthday

I'm not acting like a lady

So I close this note to you

With good luck and wishes too

Happy, happy birthday baby