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.
The Dirt Bhind My Years
Wanda Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I cheated and I lied to you and piled up so much dirt
Now I'd lost the only one in life I held so dear
I slowly bury your love in the dirt behind my years
You had every right to leave as far as I'm concerned
You gave all your love to me got nothing in return
You tried and I'll bet you'll cry at least the million tears
You had every right to leave as far as I'm concerned
You gave all your love to me got nothing in return
You tried and I'll bet you'll cry at least the million tears
But they just couldn't wash away the dirt behind my years
In the song "The Dirt Behind My Years," Wanda Jackson seems to be expressing remorse for her past behavior in a relationship. She admits that she caused hurt by cheating and lying and acknowledges that her actions have caused her to lose the person she held dear. Jackson then reflects on the fact that her partner had every right to leave, as she didn't reciprocate the love that was given to her. She recognizes that her partner may cry a million tears over their separation, but those tears cannot wash away the "dirt behind [her] years."
The dirt can be seen as a metaphor for the mistakes and bad decisions that Jackson has made throughout her life. These mistakes have accumulated over time and have polluted her experience, making it difficult for her to move forward with a clear conscience. Jackson's use of the phrase "dirt behind my years" suggests that she is carrying this burden with her into the future, and that it will continue to affect her in a profound way.
The song is also notable for its emotional content and the rawness of Jackson's delivery. She sings with an intensity that conveys the depth of her regret and the pain of her loss. The lyrics are simple and direct, but they pack a powerful punch, leaving the listener with a sense of the devastation caused by infidelity and betrayal.
Line by Line Meaning
It's over I filled our world with hurt
I caused pain and suffering in our relationship leading to its end.
I cheated and I lied to you and piled up so much dirt
I was unfaithful and dishonest leading to a lot of emotional baggage that I brought to our relationship.
Now I'd lost the only one in life I held so dear
I realize now that I lost the one person in my life who meant everything to me.
I slowly bury your love in the dirt behind my years
I hold onto the memories of your love but feel burdened by the mistakes I made that tarnish the time we shared.
You had every right to leave as far as I'm concerned
I know my actions caused you pain and are the reason why you left.
You gave all your love to me got nothing in return
I didn't reciprocate the love and affection you gave me leading to a one-sided relationship.
You tried and I'll bet you'll cry at least the million tears
You put effort into making our relationship work and are likely hurting deeply now that it's over.
But they just couldn't wash away the dirt behind my years
My past actions and the hurt I caused are difficult to forget or overcome.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TheGarretdeas
A great song from Wanda which is also a great play on words and proves that she was a queen of country as well as rockabilly.
poopstain565
Wanda was one of the all time greats. Great post. CARL
shuffle877
Good stuff Jay I appreciate it. :)
William Brisky
I noticed that the song Stand By Your Man was on this album. I have never heard Wanda sing that song. Maybe you could put it up so we could hear her version of it. Loretta Lynn also sang it if you have that also. Thanks
latokatn506
Thanks For the Pass On this one Shuffle
i5705b5705j5705j
I'm going to write an answer song to this. It's called The Dirt Behind My Ears. (Sry for bad taste! Better wash carefully!)