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.
Hard Headed Woman
Wanda Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Been the cause of trouble ever since the world began
Oh yeah ever since the world began ah oh oh oh oh
A hard headed woman is a thorn in the side of man
Now Adam said to Eve listen here to me
Don't you let me catch you messin' round that apple tree
Oh yeah ever since the world began...
Now Samson told Delilah loud and clear
Keep your cotton pickin' fingers out of my curly hair
Oh yeah ever since the world began...
[Piano ]
Well I heard about a king who's doing swell
Till he started playin' with that evil Jezabel
Oh yeah ever since the world began...
The lyrics of Wanda Jackson's song Hard Headed Woman describe the age-old archetype of the hard-headed woman and the soft-hearted man, which according to the song, has been the cause of trouble since the beginning of time. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the song by stating this concept and emphasizing its long-standing history. The second stanza is a reference to the Bible story of Adam and Eve, in which Adam warns Eve not to eat from the forbidden apple tree. This stanza can be interpreted to mean that even in the earliest recorded history, the trope of a hard-headed woman causing trouble for a man was already present.
The third stanza is a reference to the Biblical story of Samson and Delilah, in which Delilah cuts Samson's hair (the source of his strength) after he repeatedly lies to her about the secret of his strength. This stanza can be interpreted to mean that men should beware of hard-headed women who seek to manipulate and control them. The fourth stanza is a reference to King Ahab in the Bible, who was led astray by his wife Jezebel and turned away from worshipping God. This stanza can be interpreted to mean that hard-headed women can lead men down a path of moral corruption.
Overall, the lyrics of Hard Headed Woman are cautionary in nature, warning men to be wary of women who may be strong-willed and difficult to control. It portrays women as a source of trouble and potential downfall for men, perpetuating gender stereotypes that were prevalent in the time period in which the song was written.
Line by Line Meaning
Well a hard headed woman a soft hearted man
A stubborn woman has always caused trouble for a gentle, kind-hearted man.
Been the cause of trouble ever since the world began
This dynamic has been causing problems since the beginning of time.
Oh yeah ever since the world began ah oh oh oh oh
This problem has persisted throughout history.
A hard headed woman is a thorn in the side of man
A woman who won't listen or compromise can be a frustrating obstacle for a man.
Now Adam said to Eve listen here to me
Even Adam, the first man, had to tell Eve what to do.
Don't you let me catch you messin' round that apple tree
Adam warned Eve not to do something, but she did it anyway.
Oh yeah ever since the world began...
This scenario has been playing out for generations.
Now Samson told Delilah loud and clear
Samson had to be very clear with Delilah about what he didn't want her to do.
Keep your cotton pickin' fingers out of my curly hair
Samson wanted Delilah to leave his hair alone, but she didn't listen.
Oh yeah ever since the world began...
This stubbornness has been a problem for a long time.
Well I heard about a king who's doing swell
Even a successful king can fall victim to a stubborn woman.
Till he started playin' with that evil Jezabel
The king made a mistake by getting involved with a difficult woman.
Oh yeah ever since the world began...
This problem has been happening for ages.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Claude De Metruis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@karlmuller3690
Duke of Prunes II - I knew a very polite young Lady, very long time ago, but BOY-o-BOY
did she BELT the DOOZY out of ME? OOOHH BOY !! DID SHE EVER !!
Did i mention that I didn't mind? Not one litttle-itty-bit? ; )
@Ineddiblehulk
If you heard a female singer sing with this amount of guts and aggression NOW you'd be impressed... this is over 50 years ago. It's amazing!
@JanetCoop
You can hear her influence when you hear Pat Benatar...
@Ineddiblehulk
@Ambra Bianca charming, and a really helpful and CORDIAL addition to the conversation. Thanks! I hope shitting on someone’s compliment makes you feel smarter and more informed.
@Ineddiblehulk
@Ambra Bianca do you live under a rock? How do you not see your post as being insulting? Your attitude is completely obnoxious.
@JanetCoop
@Ambra Bianca Don't attack me!! I've been listening & collecting records for 50 years!! I'm 67 years old now...I picked Benatar out of a bunch of singers as an example...I don't need you to tell me what to listen to...I love Wanda Jackson for years!! She kicks royal ass...Funny how you've got Cher listed among all those extreme punk chicks...I love Benatar, Tina Turner, Heart, and hundreds of other women who sing rock, country, soul, alternative and lots of other styles...I even love Lady Gaga...For you to bound in here and dump your shit on me doesn't take courage...
@Ineddiblehulk
@Janet Cooper she’s a troll who hasn’t even got the conviction to leave her comments up. She knows she’s is the wrong. Enjoy the great music!
@davidhawkins1072
I was blessed with the opportunity to open for Wanda Jackson in the early 2000’s. I can honestly tell you that she has not missed a beat since this video was filmed. She took to that stage like a stick of dynamite. She is so energetic and also very kind.
@ld3511
So awesome!!!I love this!! I'm sure I would love you too! Take care!!
@jacovawernett3077
I envy you Sir. Sincerly Jackie aka Jacoba...a hard headed woman born March 11 in Bethlehem.
@GJoeJ010841
Is this where Brenda Lee was inspired and sang Sweet Nothins'?