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.
Tennessee Women
Wanda Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And too young to run with me and twice my years
But when you're young and yearn to be a woman what does your mother know
I couldn't understand her hangups and her fears
A year went by and I got tired of mama's foolish advice
At fourteen I was sure I knew it all
It wasn't like it was at home out on the streets so long
Me I lived outside the law
Missin' even mom and dad and a man to hold me tight
I should've listened to my mama and seen the visdom in her eyes
And the Tennessee women's prison wouldn't be my mama tonight
If I ever get out of this nasty cell I'll never be back again
Cause mama has sure got smarter every day since I've been in
I gonna follow the straight and narrow if I can just get my parole
And the Tennessee women's prison won't own my soul
Cause I'm livin' in the cold grey world...
And this Tennessee women's prison wouldn't be my mama tonight
The song "Tennessee Women's Prison" by Wanda Jackson is a heart-wrenching story about a young girl who rebels against her mother's advice and ends up in prison. The lyrics describe the girl's journey from being a young and innocent teenager to a rebellious young woman who turns to a life of crime. The girl disregards her mother's warnings and chooses to live outside the law. The consequences of her actions eventually catch up to her, and she finds herself in prison, missing her family and regretting her choices.
The first verse of the song talks about the girl's relationship with her mother. She feels that her mother doesn't understand her and her desires to become a woman. She rebels against her mother's wishes and falls into a life of crime. The second verse shows the girl's regret for not listening to her mother's advice when she was younger. She realizes that her mother was right all along, and she wishes she had listened to her. She promises to change her ways and stay out of trouble if she gets out of prison.
The lyrics of "Tennessee Women's Prison" highlight the struggles of life in prison and the regrets of poor choices. The song touches on themes of rebellion, regret, and the need for parental guidance. It is a powerful reminder of the consequences of not listening to our parents' advice and making poor choices.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama said that thirteen was too young to think my lips
My mother warned me that as a young girl, I was too inexperienced to know what I really want and need.
And too young to run with me and twice my years
My mother also cautioned me about associating with older men who may take advantage of my youth and naivete.
But when you're young and yearn to be a woman what does your mother know
As a young girl, I thought my mother was being unreasonable, and just didn't understand my desire to grow up and be independent.
I couldn't understand her hangups and her fears
I failed to see that my mother was trying to protect me from making bad choices and putting myself in danger.
A year went by and I got tired of mama's foolish advice
After a while, I grew impatient with my mother's warnings and thought I knew better.
At fourteen I was sure I knew it all
I believed that I had already gained all the knowledge and wisdom I needed to navigate life on my own.
It wasn't like it was at home out on the streets so long
Leaving home and living on the streets exposed me to a whole new world that was different from the sheltered life I lived before.
Me I lived outside the law
I chose to break the law and live recklessly, without regard for the consequences of my actions.
Now I'm livin' in the cold grey world hear me cryin' in the night
Being in prison has made me realize the harsh reality of the world I live in and the mistakes I have made.
Missin' even mom and dad and a man to hold me tight
Imprisonment has made me long for the warmth and comfort of my family, and the affection of a partner.
I should've listened to my mama and seen the visdom in her eyes
Reflecting on my past, I have come to understand that my mother was right all along, and I should have heeded her advice and respected her wisdom.
And the Tennessee women's prison wouldn't be my mama tonight
If only I had listened to my mother, I wouldn't be in this situation, feeling abandoned and alone in this cold and unforgiving place.
If I ever get out of this nasty cell I'll never be back again
If given the chance to regain my freedom, I vow to turn my life around and not repeat the mistakes that led me to prison.
Cause mama has sure got smarter every day since I've been in
During my time in prison, I have come to appreciate my mother's wisdom and recognize that she was only looking out for my best interests.
I gonna follow the straight and narrow if I can just get my parole
I am determined to live a law-abiding life once I am released from prison, and my goal is to earn my parole by demonstrating my commitment to change.
And the Tennessee women's prison won't own my soul
I refuse to let my time in prison define me, and I am determined to regain my independence and control over my own life.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: G.S. PAXTON, R. HELLARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
JetsonVinyl
I've been looking for this song for decades. Heard it once late night in the 70's and never heard it again. What a treat to find it on youtube with original film! I think its one of her best song recordings shame its so obscure. Also love "My Big Iron Skillet" which I have original promo 45rpm record. She wasn't just the queen of Rockabilly, but also one of the best of the female country singers!
Linda Oldham
Wanda is great. I have been listening to her sing since I was sixteen. she is quita a lady.
FLBoy46
Not sure what I like more ... the furnishings, the dress, the hair, or the SONG! All great!!!
ariadne2956
@Roger Patricia Fancher Definitely
Roger Patricia Fancher
The voice!
Jennifer McMullen
I met Ms. Jackson in July at "The Jody Miller Day Show" in Blanchard, Oklahoma, where Ms. Wanda and her husband Wendell were there to attend Ms. Miller's great show. Both Wanda Jackson and Jody Miller are great Oklahoma music legends.
Frispar
I love her hair! :) Makes her twice as tall!
(The song's great too, but so are most of Ms Jackson's songs).
Maynard Fester
PRICELESS!!!!!!!
The Crushed Twinkie
Happy to have stumbled upon this great video, which appears to be a lip-synching job to a vinyl recording, with fake applause dubbed in, but nevertheless still well done and a pleasure to watch!😃👏👍👋
Milton Moore
Pr. Tobias Tahvanainen
I just love Wanda!