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 Things Mean A Lot
Wanda Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say I look nice when I'm not
Touch my hair as you pass my chair
Little things mean a lot
Give me your arm as we cross the street
Call me at six on the dot
A line a day when you're far away
Little things mean a lot
Champagne, sables and such
I never cared much for diamonds and pearls
But honestly honey, they just cost money
Give me your hand when I've lost the way
Give me your shoulder to cry on
Whether the day is bright or gray give me your heart to rely on
Send me the warmth of a secret smile
To show me you haven't forgot
Now and forever , that always and ever
Little things mean a lot
Blow me a kiss from across the room
Say I look nice when I'm not
Touch my hair as you pass my chair
Little things mean a lot
Give me your arm as we cross the street
Call me at six on the dot
A line a day when you're far away
Little things mean a lot
Don't have to buy me diamonds and pearls
Champagne, sables and such
I never cared much for diamonds and pearls
But honestly honey, they just cost money
Give me your hand when I've lost the way
Give me your shoulder to cry on
Whether the day is bright or gray give me your heart to rely on
Send me the warmth of a secret smile
To show me you haven't forgot
Now and forever , that always and ever
Little things mean a lot
Wanda Jackson's "Little Things Mean A Lot" conveys a simple, yet powerful message that the small things in life hold significant meaning, especially in relationships. The repeated phrases "blow me a kiss from across the room," "say I look nice when I'm not," and "touch my hair as you pass my chair" describe how these little gestures can make a profound impact on someone's day. The singer emphasizes that these acts of love and kindness can substitute expensive gifts and material possessions in showing affection. When one is far away, sending "a line a day" and a "secret smile" provides the warmth and assurance that they are not forgotten.
In the second verse, the singer continues to relay how the smallest acts of love and care can provide support and comfort. Holding hands, offering a shoulder to cry on, and sharing one's heart are depicted as more valuable than diamonds and pearls, champagne, and sables. She wants her partner to be her support system through thick and thin and to rely on them whenever things go wrong. The final line "Now and forever, that always and ever little things mean a lot" stresses the importance of these small acts of love transcending time and being constant in a loving relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Blow me a kiss from across the room
Express your affection for me in little ways, like blowing a kiss from across the room
Say I look nice when I'm not
Compliment me even when I don't feel my best
Touch my hair as you pass my chair
Show me a small gesture of affection by touching my hair as you walk by
Give me your arm as we cross the street
Be chivalrous and offer your arm to me as we cross the street
Call me at six on the dot
Reach out to me at a specific time to show that you are dependable and reliable
A line a day when you're far away
Keep in touch with me even when you are far away by sending me a daily message
Little things mean a lot
Small gestures of kindness and affection can make a big difference in a relationship
Don't have to buy me diamonds and pearls
I don't need expensive gifts to feel loved and appreciated
Champagne, sables and such
Luxury items are not necessary to make me happy
But honestly honey, they just cost money
Expensive gifts are not a substitute for genuine care and attention
Give me your hand when I've lost the way
Guide me and support me when I am lost or uncertain
Give me your shoulder to cry on
Be there for me when I need emotional support
Whether the day is bright or gray give me your heart to rely on
Be a constant source of love and support, regardless of the circumstances
Send me the warmth of a secret smile
Communicate your love and affection through small gestures and secret smiles
To show me you haven't forgot
Remind me that you care for me and value our relationship
Now and forever, that always and ever
These small gestures of love and affection will always be important to me and our relationship
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CARL STUTZ, EDITH L CALISCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Crushed Twinkie
🌠CELESTIALI!🌠
"Music to soothe the savage breast, soften rocks, and bend the knotted oak."
William Congreve
"Music so beautiful, glorious and profound that it could create a soul under the ribs of death!"
John Milton
This recording belongs in the Pantheon of the greatest performances ever produced.
The songbirds in the trees give pause to their own rhapsodic, golden-throated calls whenever this song falls on their sensitive, tender ears.
Wanda Jackson is the most deserving of any living female country music artist to NOT be enshrined in the CMHOF!🙉🙈👹
Milton Moore, a 75 year old fan from Dallas, Texas🤠
Milton Moore
The best portraits
of her, like the one
displayed here,
remind me of another raven-haired beauty named Hedy Lamar. Wanda had
so many fabulous
songs I am at a
loss to select a favorite; there are too many! Another
song to go along
with this one on
my top list is PLEASE HELP ME
I'M FALLING.
Ralph Moore
Great voice. Classy. And beautiful. Wanda Jackson a favorite of mine.
Milton Moore
Greetings from someone on your family tree. I just left a comment. Google KITTEN on BLUE EYES
CRYING IN THE RAIN.
Mike Ryan
I think this is the best version. Her voice is pure.
Bob Ingram
All i can say is WOW. Probably the best version i have heard and i have several including the original,and Joni James..Now i need to track down the album.
Bob Ingram
Yet another one to the collection.
USC1963
A TRUE Classy Woman and a singing artist who could sing any type of music and make you happy she was doing so.
Steven Norman
I thought I was impressed by Kitty Kallen's version..but WOW...Wanda's version is absolutely incredible! Beautiful!
The Crushed Twinkie
Kallen's voice wavered in and out of pitch, and didn't have the tonal beauty of Wanda's.
Milton Moore
catman916
This lady really could rock, but it's good to hear another side of her.
The Crushed Twinkie
This was, FAR AND AWAY, her
BEST SIDE!🤠😺
🌠Milton Moore🌠
Las Vegas, Nevada