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.
Jackson
Wanda Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well we got married in a fever a hotter than a pepper sprout
We've been talkin' bout Jackson ever since the fire went out
I'm goin' to Jackson I'm gonna mess around
Yeah I'm goin' to Jackson look out Jackson town
Well go on down to Jackson go ahead and wreck your health
Go play your hand you big talkin' man make a big fool of yourself
Yeah go to Jackson and go comb black hair please
When I breeze into that city people gonna stoop and bow
All them women gonna make me teach 'em what they don't know now
I'm goin' to Jackson you turn loose my coat
Yeah I'm goin' to Jackson goodbye that's all she wrote
When they laugh at you in Jackson and I'll be dancin' on the pony keg
Hey I'll lead you round town like a scalded hound
With your tail tucked between your legs
Yeah go to Jackson you big talkin' man
Cause I'll be waitin' in Jackson behind the Japan fan
Well we got married in a fever a hotter than a pepper sprout
We've been talkin' bout Jackson ever since the fire went out
We're goin' to Jackson and that's a natural fact
Yeah we're goin' to Jackson ain't never coming back
Ain't never coming back ain't never coming back
The song 'Jackson' by Wanda Jackson and Mike Post tells the story of a couple who got married impulsively and in a rush. They have been talking about going to Jackson ever since they got married. The female protagonist excitedly tells her partner that she is going to Jackson to have some fun and mess around. She invites him to come along, but he seems to hold back, warning her that she could destroy her health and reputation by going there. However, the woman is determined to go and even plans to "snowball Jackson."
The lyrics also reveal a power dynamic in the relationship where the woman appears to be more adventurous and bold than her male partner. She talks of teaching the women in Jackson something new and exciting when she arrives in the city. The man, on the other hand, seems to be a bit cautious and even fearful of the town. The chorus repeats the refrain that they got married in a hurry and were talking about Jackson ever since. The song ends with the couple leaving for Jackson, never to come back.
This song has been interpreted in different ways by different people. Some see it as a tale of a woman breaking free from societal expectations and asserting her independence. Others view it as a playful song about a couple's adventurous spirit. Either way, 'Jackson' remains a classic country music hit from the 1960s.
Line by Line Meaning
Well we got married in a fever a hotter than a pepper sprout
We got hitched in a wild romantic rush
We've been talkin' bout Jackson ever since the fire went out
We brainstormed Jackson as an escape plan from our boring lives
I'm goin' to Jackson I'm gonna mess around
I'm going to Jackson to have some fun and adventure
Yeah I'm goin' to Jackson look out Jackson town
Here I come, Jackson! Be prepared for me!
Well go on down to Jackson go ahead and wreck your health
If you want to, go ahead and ruin your life by going to Jackson
Go play your hand you big talkin' man make a big fool of yourself
Be reckless and make a spectacle of yourself in Jackson
Yeah go to Jackson and go comb black hair please
Do something pointless like combing your hair in Jackson
I'm gonna snowball Jackson ha see if I care
I'm going to stir things up and see how it goes
When I breeze into that city people gonna stoop and bow
When I arrive, everyone will notice and show respect
All them women gonna make me teach 'em what they don't know now
I'm going to impress and educate the women in Jackson
I'm goin' to Jackson you turn loose my coat
Don't hold me back, I'm going to Jackson
Yeah I'm goin' to Jackson goodbye that's all she wrote
I'm leaving for Jackson and that's the end of it
When they laugh at you in Jackson and I'll be dancin' on the pony keg
I'll be having fun while you're being ridiculed in Jackson
Hey I'll lead you round town like a scalded hound
I'll humiliate you and make you follow me
With your tail tucked between your legs
You'll be ashamed and defeated
Yeah go to Jackson you big talkin' man
Go to Jackson like you bragged you would
Cause I'll be waitin' in Jackson behind the Japan fan
I'll be waiting for you in Jackson, ready to continue the game
We're goin' to Jackson and that's a natural fact
We're actually going to Jackson, it's not just talk
Yeah we're goin' to Jackson ain't never coming back
We're leaving for good, not coming back
Ain't never coming back ain't never coming back
We really mean it, we're never coming back
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN BARRY, LESLIE BRICUSSE
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'?