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.
Little Boy Soldier
Wanda Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And my tiny son with his toy gun stands by me
In his soldier suit and a tiny flag clutched tightly in his hand
Little boy soldier, little boy soldier waiting for his dad
The night wears on and his big brown eyes grow sleepy
He can't understand, why mommy stands there weepin'
Why that should be the grandest time he and mommy ever had?
The train pulls in and his happy grin turns to surprise
Just a box of pine all covered fine with stars and stripes
With diverted look he wonders, why his mommy looks so sad
Little boy soldier, little boy soldier run to me, his dad
The song Little Boy Soldier by Wanda Jackson is a heart-wrenching portrayal of a young boy waiting for his father to return home from war. As they wait for the train to arrive, the mother and son stand out in the cold, cold rain. The boy is dressed in a soldier suit with a tiny flag clutched tightly in his hand, eagerly waiting for his hero to return. As the night wears on, the boy grows sleepy, unable to understand why his mother is weeping. The mother knows that the grandest time they could have is when they are reunited with the father.
Finally, the train arrives and the little boy's happy grin turns to surprise as he sees only a box of pine all covered fine with stars and stripes, a symbol of his father's sacrifice. With a diverted look, he wonders why his mother looks so sad. As he runs to his dad, the boy and the mother grieve over the loss of their loved one.
The song is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by families during times of war. It shows the emotional impact of serving in the military and the effect it has on the loved ones left behind. The song portrays the feelings of a young child who doesn't fully understand the situation, but is eager to be reunited with his father.
Line by Line Meaning
The train is late as we stand and wait in the cold, cold rain
We are standing in the cold rain waiting for the train, which is running late.
And my tiny son with his toy gun stands by me
My young son is standing by me with his toy gun.
In his soldier suit and a tiny flag clutched tightly in his hand
He is dressed in a soldier suit and holding a small flag tightly in his hand.
Little boy soldier, little boy soldier waiting for his dad
My son is anxiously waiting for his dad to arrive.
The night wears on and his big brown eyes grow sleepy
As the night goes on, my son becomes more tired and his eyes start to close.
He can't understand, why mommy stands there weepin'
He doesn't understand why I am crying.
Why that should be the grandest time he and mommy ever had?
He doesn't understand why this moment, waiting for his dad, isn't a happy one.
Little boy soldier, little boy soldier waiting for his dad
My son is still waiting for his dad to arrive.
The train pulls in and his happy grin turns to surprise
When the train finally arrives, my son's smile quickly turns to surprise.
Just a box of pine all covered fine with stars and stripes
The only thing that arrives on the train is a box made of pine wood, which is covered in a beautiful American flag.
With diverted look he wonders, why his mommy looks so sad
My son looks away and wonders why I am so sad.
Little boy soldier, little boy soldier run to me, his dad
In this heartbreaking moment, I call to my son to come embrace me, his father who has died in battle.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Margit Salonen
LIKE THE INSTRUMENTATION - THE BRUSHES SOUNDS LIKE A TRAIN. THANKS FOR SHARING.
William Moore
What! No mention of her gospel work, which is her best.
Camera
🙁