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.
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Wanda Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I remember my days of darekness without sunshine or sight to lead my way
Then a whisper of his voice softly called me to the arms of my Saviour to stay
He is my reason for living he is the king of all kings
I'm proud to be his possession he is my everything
After the lightning and the thunder after the last bell has rung
I want to bow down before Jesus and hear him say well done
He is my reason for living he is my everything
In Wanda Jackson's song "Everything is Beautiful," the lyrics center around the singer's relationship with Jesus, whom she views as her reason for living and king of all kings. She reflects on the darkness that previously consumed her life, emphasizing her inability to find her way without the light of Jesus. However, she then hears a whisper of Jesus's voice, which calls her to his arms for salvation. From that point forward, Jesus becomes her everything, and she is proud to be his possession. She looks forward to the day when she can bow down before him and hear him say "well done."
The lyrics in "Everything is Beautiful" convey a powerful message about faith, particularly about how it can bring light and guidance to one's life. The singer's experience of being lost and then finding her way through her relationship with Jesus is a common theme in gospel music. This song showcases the joy, gratitude, and devotion that often characterize Christian faith.
Line by Line Meaning
He is my reason for living he is my everything
My life and happiness center around him, he is my all
I remember my days of darekness without sunshine or sight to lead my way
I recall the times when I felt lost and had no guidance or hope
Then a whisper of his voice softly called me to the arms of my Saviour to stay
But then he spoke to me gently, and led me to salvation and comfort
I'm proud to be his possession he is my everything
I am honored to belong to him, he means everything to me
After the lightning and the thunder after the last bell has rung
When life's storms have passed and death approaches
I want to bow down before Jesus and hear him say well done
My goal is to humble myself before Jesus and receive his approval
He is my reason for living...
He is the source of my existence and purpose in life
He is my reason for living he is my everything
My life and happiness center around him, he is my all
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DALLAS FRAZIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
parzychjo
I am 57 years old. I just heard of Wanda Jackson a few weeks ago on YouTube. She is great! I just bought her greatest hits CD!
Mr. Rock and Roll
The fact that she's doing music in 2022 is amazing. Love you Wanda. ❤️
robert m.
Thanks Joan, for adding to Wanda's repertoire. It was vast enough as it was...you just added some more fantastic music to her library! Wanda, is an American treasure.
Rocky Moore
Didn't know who she was until about two years ago. I was just scanning YouTube for music I was unfamiliar with and Wanda came up as a suggestion. 'Funnel of Love' was the song and for the next month all I listened to was this incredible lady. What a jewel in the history of music. One of the greatest talents of all time.
Aino Bredtved
I loved her when I was just a little child - 2-3 years old (born 1969) - I still have the old vinyl. <3 I still love her. And I love both Joan Jett (since I was young) and Elle King (Since Exes and Ohs) <3
Robert Mikel
Great song from the queen of rockabilly.
Toilet Paper
Check out the Mike Ness version!
Music Rocks!
Wow! Wanda is just incredible! I love the song! Lol.
Nichole Acosta
🔥 There’s nothing of Wanda’s I don’t like 👏🏻
rob duncan
i posted on Elle's FB a while back saying that she should cover "hard headed woman" and here she is doing a song WITH Miss Wanda AND Joan Jett! this is effing heaven!