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 Your Baby
Wanda Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rock your baby, all night long
Rock your baby, all night long
Rock your baby, all night long
Rock your baby, all night long
Take me in your arms and whisper low
Then rock your baby and don't be slow
You were made to dance with me
Here's your chance, now, don't go wrong
Gotta rock your baby, all night long
Rock your baby, all night long
Rock your baby, all night long
Rock your baby, all night long
Rock your baby, all night long
Take me in your arms and whisper low
Then rock your baby and don't be slow
I got my hair fixed in a pony tail
So when we dance it'll really sail
If you love me, then tell me so
But rock your baby and don't be slow
Rock your baby, all night long
Rock your baby, all night long
Rock your baby, all night long
Rock your baby, all night long
Take me in your arms and whisper low
Then rock your baby and don't be slow
"Wanda Jackson's song Rock Your Baby" is a classic rock and roll song that has a simple, catchy tune with a rhythm that invites dancing to it. The lyrics of the song are also very straightforward, asking the listener to rock their baby all night long. However, as with many songs that are considered classics, this one has a deeper meaning.
The first stanza of the song sets the tone for the entirety of the piece. Every verse includes the phrase "rock your baby, all night long," which can be interpreted to mean that the singer is urging her lover to give her the attention and affection that she desires. Throughout the song, the lyrics offer subtle hints to the romantic nature of the relationship between the two involved parties.
The second stanza of the song does not stray far from the initial theme. The comparison between birds sitting in a tree and humans dancing is offered, suggesting that it is in our nature to be close and affectionate with one another. The chorus repeats four times, highlighting the desire to be with one another all night long. The song concludes with the singer hoping that her lover loves her and urging him to rock his baby all night long.
Line by Line Meaning
Rock your baby, all night long
Let's dance together and keep dancing all night long
Take me in your arms and whisper low
Hold me close and talk to me softly
Birds was made to sit in a tree
Just as nature has its own patterns, you and I are meant to dance together
You were made to dance with me
Our destiny is to dance together
Here's your chance, now, don't go wrong
This is our moment, let's make the most of it
Gotta rock your baby, all night long
We must keep dancing without pause
I got my hair fixed in a pony tail
I took the time to prepare myself for this moment
So when we dance it'll really sail
Our dancing will be smooth and effortless
If you love me, then tell me so
If you have feelings for me, don't hesitate to express them
But rock your baby and don't be slow
But let's keep dancing energetically and passionately
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: WANDA JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Chad
Love Wanda Jackson!
michael pearson
my grand kids love this song and i cant play it enough for them. they like modern music and they have there faves but love all the old rock.n.roll tunes as well. most of the old rocknroll singers rote modern songs for singers in the 1970's 80's and 90's if you read the credits even jimi hendix was little richards guitarist and is in the film the girl cant help it. 1957.
Cyan Blue
Fine vintage, it gives the spirit to the bone 😏
alex arolas garcia
Esta buena canción la canto WANDA JACKSON en el año 1958
Sick Boy
good song !
Sherri Lynne Vonch
Kewl
Doppia elle
Grazie pepe