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.
Long Tall Saly
Wanda Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He says he has the blues but he has a lot of fun
Oh baby yea yea yea oh baby woo
Baby we're gonna have some fun tonight yea
Well long tall Sally she's big as street
She got everything that Uncle John need
Oh baby yea yea yea oh baby woo
Baby we're gonna have some fun tonight
Now I saw Uncle John I saw long tall Sally
Saw Aunt Mary comin' and he ducked back in the alley
Oh baby yea yea yea oh baby woo .
Baby we're gonna have some fun tonight yea
We're gonna have some fun tonight we're gonna have some fun tonight woo
Have some fun tonight
Well everything will be alright
Have some fun baby
Have some fun to wap ba pa lu ba lap pem boom
We're gonna rock and roll tonight
We're gonna rock and roll tonight woo
Rock and roll tonight well everything will be alright
Have some fun baby have some fun tonight
The lyrics to Wanda Jackson's Long Tall Sally are about a man named Uncle John who claims to have the blues, but in fact, he is having a lot of fun. The singer plans to tell Aunt Mary about Uncle John. The lyrics also mention Long Tall Sally, who is bigger than the street and has everything that Uncle John needs. The song is about having fun and enjoying oneself. The chorus of the song emphasizes this with the repetition of "Baby we're gonna have some fun tonight yea" and "Have some fun baby, have some fun tonight."
The second verse continues the tale of Uncle John, Aunt Mary, and Long Tall Sally. The singer sees Uncle John and Long Tall Sally together, but when Aunt Mary approaches, Uncle John ducks back into the alley. The lyrics suggest that Uncle John has something to hide or is up to something he should not be doing. Despite this, the chorus reassures that everything will be alright, and everyone will have fun tonight.
Overall, the lyrics to Long Tall Sally are about a night of fun and spontaneity. Uncle John's character is portrayed as someone who is not upfront about his intentions, but rather is seeking excitement and adventure. Long Tall Sally is also a fun-loving character in the song, who has everything Uncle John needs.
Line by Line Meaning
Gonna tell Aunt Mary 'bout Uncle John
I am going to inform Aunt Mary about Uncle John's situation.
He says he has the blues but he has a lot of fun
Though Uncle John claims to have the blues, he still manages to have a good time.
Oh baby yea yea yea oh baby woo
Excitement and enthusiasm is in the air.
Baby we're gonna have some fun tonight yea
We are going to enjoy ourselves tonight.
Well long tall Sally she's big as street
Long tall Sally is a big woman, as tall as a street lamp.
She got everything that Uncle John need
She has all the attributes that appeal to Uncle John.
Now I saw Uncle John I saw long tall Sally
Both Uncle John and long tall Sally have been spotted.
Saw Aunt Mary comin' and he ducked back in the alley
Upon seeing Aunt Mary, Uncle John hastily slips into the alley to avoid confrontation.
We're gonna have some fun tonight we're gonna have some fun tonight woo
There will be enjoyment and merrymaking tonight.
Well everything will be alright
All will be well and fine.
Have some fun baby
Let's have some fun.
Have some fun to wap ba pa lu ba lap pem boom
Let's have fun and groove to the music.
We're gonna rock and roll tonight
We will be dancing to Rock and Roll music tonight.
Have some fun baby have some fun tonight
Let's enjoy ourselves and have some fun tonight.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, IMAGEM MUSIC INC
Written by: ENTORIS JOHNSON, RICHARD PENNIMAN, ROBERT BLACKWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
James Harp
Beautiful woman with a memorable rockabilly singing voice. ♫ ♬ ♪ ♩ ♪ ❤ ｡◕‿◕｡ ☀ ツ
Barb Elvan
When I was a young kid, I remember hearing her name being among the popular singers. She can really grate that voice, I can feel the pain just listening to it. Thanks for showing that picture of her and Elvis. I have a CD with his '50s songs and he included many of Wanda's songs. Sooooo fun listening and singing to them, bring you right out of your funk!
Техно Дом
Здорово 👍 рок 🎸 ролл навсегда
Francis FOUQUET
Magnifique wanda Jackson. La reine du rock'n roll.Et c'était une beauté en plus.Bravo. 👍👏
bvseediermedia6
It's an unusual voice - but definitely one that's grown on me.
superchitownhustler
Wanda Jackson was built for speed, she got everything old Chi-town needs.
nosoyspock
the lady of rock n roll
d4c_reznor
Her voice legit sounds like Joan Jett's
alex arolas garcia
Esta buena canción la canto LITTLE RICHARD en el año 1956 y la versiono WANDA JACKSON en el año 1958
Jordy de Kwaadsteniet
that distorted voice sounds awesome