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.
Rock-A-Billy Fever
Wanda Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Writer Carl Perkins
Lord, it came rollin' out of Memphis
Like a hurricane or Texas tornado
It came rollin' out of Memphis
Like a hurricane or a Texas tornado
Yeah, it did...
Long before they called it rock 'n' roll
We took a little country music
Put some pop in and dressed it up in soul
We took a little country music
Put some pop in and dressed it up in soul
That's all we did...
And they called us rockabillies
Long before they called it rock 'n' roll
Yeah, rockabilly fever
Looks like it's coming back again, mm-mm
Ah, rockabilly fever
Look out, it might get you my friend
If that fever starts to get you
Lay back son, you just might explode
If that fever starts to get you
Lay back son, you just might explode
Look out...
And they called us rockabillies
Long before they called it rock 'n' roll
That's what we were, play it guitar, here we go...
Well, Elvis started shakin'
And the whole world shook a little too
I said Elvis started shakin'
And the whole world shook a little bit too
He said, that's all right mama
Mama, don't you step on my blue suede shoes
That's what the boy said...
Oh, rockabilly fever
Looks like it's coming back again
Won't it be fun..
Rockabilly fever
Look out, it might get you my friend
If that fever starts to get you
Just lay back son, you just might explode
If that fever starts to get you
Just lay back son, you just might explode
Well, they called it rockabilly
Long before they called it rock 'n' roll, oh yeah
Come on let's rock
Come on let's roll
Everybody let's rock
Everybody let's rock
The song "Rockabilly Fever" by Wanda Jackson, written by Carl Perkins, is an ode to the birth and influence of rockabilly music. The first verse describes the eruption of rockabilly from Memphis, Tennessee, with the force of a natural disaster. The second verse explains how rockabilly was born by taking country music and infusing it with pop and soul, long before the term "rock 'n' roll" existed. The chorus warns of the infectious nature of rockabilly fever, which is making a comeback, and the potential for explosive excitement it can bring to fans.
The third verse pays homage to the influence of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll, and his iconic song "Blue Suede Shoes". The final lines of the song encourages listeners to join in the rockabilly movement and let loose with the music.
Overall, the song celebrates the energy and spirit of rockabilly music and its enduring impact on popular culture. It also serves as a reminder of the origins of the genre and the innovators that helped create it.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord, it came rollin' out of Memphis
Like a hurricane or Texas tornado
It came rollin' out of Memphis
Like a hurricane or a Texas tornado
Yeah, it did...
Rockabilly music emerged from Memphis, Tennessee and took the world by storm like a powerful natural disaster.
And they called us rockabillies
Long before they called it rock 'n' roll
We took a little country music
Put some pop in and dressed it up in soul
We took a little country music
Put some pop in and dressed it up in soul
That's all we did...
Rockabilly musicians were labeled as such long before the term 'rock 'n' roll' was coined. They blended country music with pop and soul to create their signature sound.
Yeah, rockabilly fever
Looks like it's coming back again, mm-mm
Ah, rockabilly fever
Look out, it might get you my friend
If that fever starts to get you
Lay back son, you just might explode
If that fever starts to get you
Lay back son, you just might explode
Look out...
Rockabilly music is making a comeback and it may infect you with its feverish energy. If you feel overwhelmed by it, you should take a break because it can be explosive.
And they called us rockabillies
Long before they called it rock 'n' roll
Yeah, rockabilly fever
Looks like it's coming back again
Won't it be fun..
Rockabilly musicians were known by that name even before 'rock 'n' roll' became a common term. The comeback of rockabilly music will be exciting and enjoyable.
Well, Elvis started shakin'
And the whole world shook a little too
I said Elvis started shakin'
And the whole world shook a little bit too
He said, that's all right mama
Mama, don't you step on my blue suede shoes
That's what the boy said...
Elvis Presley's energetic performances caused a sensation and influenced the growth of rockabilly music. He famously sang about his blue suede shoes and warned his mother not to ruin them.
Oh, rockabilly fever
Looks like it's coming back again
Won't it be fun..
Rockabilly fever
Look out, it might get you my friend
If that fever starts to get you
Just lay back son, you just might explode
If that fever starts to get you
Just lay back son, you just might explode
Well, they called it rockabilly
Long before they called it rock 'n' roll, oh yeah
Come on let's rock
Come on let's roll
Everybody let's rock
Everybody let's rock
The chorus of the song repeats the excitement of the upcoming revival of rockabilly music and encourages everyone to join in and dance to the beat.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Veyo Chimmy
Lord, it came rollin' out of Memphis
Like a hurricane or Texas tornado
It came rollin' out of Memphis
Like a hurricane or a Texas tornado
Yeah, it did...
And they called us rockabillies
Long before they called it rock 'n' roll
We took a little country music
Put some pop in and dressed it up in soul
We took a little country music
Put some pop in and dressed it up in soul
That's all we did...
And they called us rockabillies
Long before they called it rock 'n' roll
Yeah, rockabilly fever
Looks like it's coming back again, mm-mm
Ah, rockabilly fever
Look out, it might get you my friend
If that fever starts to get you
Lay back son, you just might explode
If that fever starts to get you
Lay back son, you just might explode
Look out...
And they called us rockabillies
Long before they called it rock 'n' roll
That's what we were, play it guitar, here we go...
Well, Elvis started shakin'
And the whole world shook a little too
I said Elvis started shakin'
And the whole world shook a little bit too
He said, that's all right mama
Mama, don't you step on my blue suede shoes
That's what the boy said...
Oh, rockabilly fever
Looks like it's coming back again
Won't it be fun..
Rockabilly fever
Look out, it might get you my friend
If that fever starts to get you
Just lay back son, you just might explode
If that fever starts to get you
Just lay back son, you just might explode
Well, they called it rockabilly
Long before they called it rock 'n' roll, oh yeah
Come on let's rock
Come on let's roll
Everybody let's rock
Everybody let's rock
Техно Дом
Сильнейшая рок 🎸 рольщица
ariadne2956
This is so great. Wanda will always be the best
eugene endres
I just discovered Wanda - and I am loving this girl ! Man, can she rock !
Rickey Keeton
Just discovered myself.
Simon Gleaden
I wasted the first 55 years of my life knowing nothing of Wanda Jackson until discovering her a few months ago on YouTube!! Better late than never!
ariadne2956
I have loved Wanda since I was twelve. She is still the queen
Marnie Chavez Acosta
Wow! Beautiful voice!
João Pedro Gouveia Leite
A RAINHA,E SUA VOZ MARCANTE
Lana Dale
She is forever a Legend!
CLM80
Love this lady. Great voice !!