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 Tracks
Wanda Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't pass through this world but once you'll get yours and I'll get mine
And I've got a philosophy I believe I'd rather go by
And if you'll just listen you may want to give it a try
Leave a lotta happy tracks as you go down life's road
Leave a lotta happy tracks everywhere you go
Leave a lotta happy tracks and keep this in mind
Others will have to follow in the path you leave behind
When he gets in trouble lend him a helping hand
Sow good seeds in your fields of life as you go along
Let others reap your happiness a long time after you're gone
Leave a lotta happy tracks...
Don't ever use a good friend for a personal game
To game wealth and lose one friend would only be in vain
Let your happy tracks be many leave 'em everywhere you go
Cause others will have to harvest each and every seed you sow
Yeah leave a lotta happy tracks...
Others will have to follow in the path you leave behind
The lyrics to Wanda Jackson's song Happy Tracks urge listeners to leave a positive, lasting impact on the world. She acknowledges the common saying that people will get what they deserve in life, but instead proposes a philosophy of leaving "a lotta happy tracks" on life's road. The idea is to create a path of positivity for others to follow, by lending a helping hand to those in need and sowing seeds of happiness for future generations to reap.
The song emphasizes the importance of being mindful of one's actions, and considering the impact they have on others. It encourages listeners to be kind and generous, and to focus on leaving a positive legacy. In a world where we often focus on our own success and achievements, the song reminds us that what truly matters is how we treat others and the impact we have on their lives.
Overall, Wanda Jackson's Happy Tracks is a timeless reminder to live our lives with purpose and to make the world a better place for those who will follow in our footsteps.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you've heard people say many many times
You've probably heard that phrase many times before.
Don't pass through this world but once you'll get yours and I'll get mine
People often say we only live once and we should focus on ourselves, but I have a different viewpoint.
And I've got a philosophy I believe I'd rather go by
I have a personal philosophy that I believe in and would like to share with you.
And if you'll just listen you may want to give it a try
If you listen to what I have to say, you may want to try it out for yourself.
Leave a lotta happy tracks as you go down life's road
Try to leave many positive experiences for others as you journey through life.
Leave a lotta happy tracks everywhere you go
Regardless of where you are, strive to create joy and positivity around you.
Leave a lotta happy tracks and keep this in mind
Remember to always try to leave a trail of positive experiences for others to follow.
Others will have to follow in the path you leave behind
Your actions will influence and impact others around you, so make sure to leave behind a trail worth following.
As you walk the tangle streets of life notice your fellow man
As you go through life, pay attention to the people around you.
When he gets in trouble lend him a helping hand
When someone is struggling or in need, try to offer them support and assistance.
Sow good seeds in your fields of life as you go along
As you journey through life, try to spread positivity and plant good seeds that will benefit others.
Let others reap your happiness a long time after you're gone
Your actions can create a ripple effect of positivity that will continue long after you pass away.
Don't ever use a good friend for a personal game
Don't take advantage of the people in your life for personal gain.
To game wealth and lose one friend would only be in vain
It's not worth sacrificing a friendship for material wealth.
Let your happy tracks be many leave 'em everywhere you go
Try to spread as much joy as possible wherever you go.
Cause others will have to harvest each and every seed you sow
Your positive actions will benefit those around you, so make sure to create a trail worth following.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rebecca McMahan
One of my Favorite Singers..Never knew she did this one...Thanks for Sharing!!!!
Y Goldberg
Knew. the song but not who sang it ,it's a favorite! Tks for sharing!
alex arolas garcia
Esta buena canción la compuso RAY PENNINGTON y la canto KENNY PRICE en el año 1966 y la versiono WANDA JACKSON en el año 1972