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.
I
Wanda Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's such an ache in this old heart that I ain't talkin'
The little hand that held mine tight just waved goodbye tonight
I've got my angel on my mind, that's why I'm walkin'
With an old love on your mind, life's ain't worth livin'
I breathe your name with every breath I'm breathin'
Why could I never see how much you meant to me?
Should I pass you on the street and I misspeakin'
Would you charge it to this memory that I'm keepin'?
Should my head be bowed low hear my song and then you'll know
I've got my angel on my mind, that's why I'm walkin'
I've got my angel on my mind, that's why I'm walkin'
The lyrics to Wanda Jackson's song I Misunderstood are about a woman who misunderstood the intentions of the person she loves. From the very beginning of the relationship, she gave all her love, while he only gave her kisses. She was foolish to think that he loved her because he never could, but she didn't realize this. It seemed to her that he showered her with attention and lies that she wanted to believe. She misunderstood everything about him and their relationship. However, she still wants to be loved by him, even if it means she's misunderstood.
The song is a lament about the pain and confusion that comes with not fully understanding your partner or your relationship. The lyrics also convey a sense of regret at all the time and love that the woman gave to this man who never felt the same for her.
Overall, the song is a poignant and emotional depiction of misunderstandings in a relationship, and the difficulties of navigating love and emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
I misunderstood right from the start
Even though I had no idea what was happening, it was me who misunderstood our relationship from the beginning.
While you gave just kisses I gave you all the love in my heart
I gave you so much love but all you ever gave me were kisses as you never truly reciprocated my feelings.
I misunderstood how foolish I was
I now understand how foolish I was to think that you were in love with me; I deluded myself all along.
To think you would love me you never could but I misunderstood
I misjudged you badly as I believed that you would love me back, but you were never going to no matter how much love I gave you.
I misunderstood your intentions for they seemed right to me
I was blind to your true intentions, as I believed you really cared for me, or so it appeared to me then.
You showered me with attention and lies I wanted to believe
You showered me with false attention and lies that I wanted to believe in because it made me feel special and cared for.
I misunderstood so darling you should
I now see my mistake, my love, and we should talk about what happens next.
Love me or leave me I love you though I misunderstood
Even though I got things all wrong, I still love you, so either reciprocate with love or leave me and let me love in peace.
Love me or leave me I love you though I misunderstood
Even though I got things all wrong, I still love you, so either reciprocate with love or leave me and let me love in peace.
Love me or leave me I love you though I misunderstood
Even though I got things all wrong, I still love you, so either reciprocate with love or leave me and let me love in peace.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Melvin Endsley, Stonewall Jackson
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'?