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.
Shakin' All Over
Wanda Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's when I get the chills all over me
Quivers down my backbone
Got me shaking in my thigh bone
Shivers in my knee bone
Shakin' all over
Every time you say goodnight to me
Quivers down my backbone
Put the shaking in my thigh bone
Shivers in my knee bone
Shakin' all over
Quivers down my backbone
Yeah the shakes in my knee bone
I got the tremors in my thigh bone
Shakin' all over
When you move in right up close to me
That's when I get the chills all over me
Quivers down my backbone
Got me shaking in my thigh bone
Shivers in my knee bone
Shakin' all over
Shake shake shake
Shake shake shake
Shake shake shake
Shake shake shake
The lyrics of Wanda Jackson's song "Shakin' All Over" are a clear representation of physical and emotional reactions triggered by the presence of a particular person. The singer describes the "quivers" and "shivers" that run through her body when her partner gets close to her, both physically and emotionally. Her "backbone," "thigh bone," and "knee bone" are affected, suggesting a holistic physical and emotional experience. The use of the repetition of "shakin' all over" emphasizes the intensity of the feeling she experiences when she is near her lover.
At a deeper level, the lyrics reflect individual responses to intimacy, passion, and fear. The fear of vulnerability and the intense emotions that come with it are prevalent in the lyrics as the singer struggles to manage her feelings. The physical sensations described in the song indicate the ways in which our bodies react to fear and intimacy, which can be both instinctual and overwhelming. Furthermore, the use of short repetitive lines in the chorus creates an infectious beat that suggests the universality of these intense emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
When you move in right up close to me
I feel nervous whenever someone gets too close to me
That's when I get the chills all over me
I tremble and feel cold all over my body
Quivers down my backbone
I feel shivers and trembling in my spine
Got me shaking in my thigh bone
My legs shake and tremble uncontrollably
Shivers in my knee bone
I feel cold and shake in my legs
Shakin' all over
I'm shaking from head to toe
Every time you say goodnight to me
Whenever you say goodnight to me
Brings this feelin' oh inside of me
I experience a certain feeling inside of me
Put the shaking in my thigh bone
I start trembling and shaking in my legs
Quivers down my backbone
I feel shivers and trembling in my spine
Shivers in my knee bone
My legs feel cold and shake
Shakin' all over
I'm shaking from head to toe
Yeah the shakes in my knee bone
I feel trembling and shaking in my legs
I got the tremors in my thigh bone
My legs start trembling and shaking
Shake shake shake
Repeatedly shake
Shake shake shake
Repeatedly shake
Shake shake shake
Repeatedly shake
Shake shake shake
Repeatedly shake
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FRED HEATH, ANDY HILL, MARK PATTISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TradeChat88
I love how respectfully Jack steps back and gives all the spotlight to Wanda when David comes over. Such a gentleman.
@chasbodaniels1744
Yeah, Jack is a gift to the world of rock and roots music. He’s an archivist, producer, arranger and here, a supporter of older performers.
He’s kind of an old soul I think.
@aceofspades9785
Hu
@earlkoppelman5710
Wicked Wanda. Jack very cool...
@hmackie6823
Wanda was a Star in Her day and Jack knows That
@hmackie6823
he treats musicians like royalty
@TEXASFENDERBENDER
Holy Hell!! What a Band Jack has put together!! Wanda is still ripping at 70+!!!!!
@earlkoppelman5710
Wicked Wanda...
@johnniebednorz8209
V zero
@hmackie6823
who wouldn't play with Jack White?