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 Violet And The Rose
Wanda Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A violet fell in love with a rose and started it flashing from its head to its toe
Then one day the rose was kissed by the dew
A new love was born and the violet turned blue
Roses are red violets are blue I'm sending red red roses to you
If you care to send some flowers to me then send me some violets I'm blue as can be
[ choir ]
I wanted my love to bouquet with you but just like the rose you've proven untrue
Roses are red...
The Violet And The Rose is a classic country song by Wanda Jackson. The lyrics of the song speak about the emotions of a heartbroken lover. The first line of the song, "Send me some violets I'm blue as can be," sets the tone of the song. The singer is feeling sad and wants someone to send her some violets. The song tells a story of a violet that fell in love with a rose, but unfortunately, the rose found someone new. The violet was heartbroken and turned blue.
The song also touches upon the theme of unrequited love. The singer expresses her desire to be with someone, but just like the wildflower violet, she is left all alone. The lyrics "just like the violet I'm left all alone" express the feeling of loneliness and abandonment. The rose is described as being unfaithful, which implies that the singer's lover has cheated on her and left her feeling lonely and broken-hearted.
Overall, The Violet And The Rose is a poignant song that speaks to the universal theme of love, loss, and heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
Send me some violets I'm blue as can be
I'm feeling sad and alone, so please send me some violets as a symbol of hope and love.
A violet fell in love with a rose and started it flashing from its head to its toe
A violet fell in love with a rose and became so enamored with it that it couldn't help but display its affection in every way it could.
Then one day the rose was kissed by the dew
One day, the rose experienced a moment of refreshing and renewal, thanks to the touch of the dew.
A new love was born and the violet turned blue
With the rose's new-found love and vitality, the violet felt left behind and became even more melancholy and blue.
Roses are red violets are blue I'm sending red red roses to you
I'm expressing my love for you by sending you some red roses, as a symbol of passion and romance.
If you care to send some flowers to me then send me some violets I'm blue as can be
If you have any love or sympathy for me, please send me some violets to help lift my spirits out of the deep melancholy I'm feeling.
[ choir ]
Musical interlude.
I wanted my love to bouquet with you but just like the rose you've proven untrue
I had hoped that we could cultivate and nurture our love together, but you have disappointed me and been unfaithful, like the fickle rose.
A flower that's wild they say has no home and just like the violet I'm left all alone
People often say that a free spirit has no fixed address or sense of belonging, and like the wandering violet, I too feel alone and without a real home or sense of connection.
Roses are red...
Reprise of earlier verse.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HENRY JOSEPH JR. AUGE, JIMMY DICKENS, JOHN O. REINFELD, MEL TILLIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Roxanne
My mother and daddy used to sing this song together. What wonderful memories this brought back. Thank you.
Bill Busse
My favorite rendition of this beautiful song. Saw Wanda Jackson perform this live in the 60s.
Jeff H
One of Wanda's best songs (of many)!
Roger Dee
What a good song that is and what a great singer she is. She could do anything from rock to ballads. The first song of her's I ever heard was 'Let's have a Party'. That was big here in Oz. I still have the album, 'Wanda Jackson Salutes The Country Music Hall of Fame.' It has 'The Soldier's Last Letter' on it. I like that one also. .
Pete Smith
One of the best country song's ever,just sayin'
judywiffe
I used to sing this song to my Grand babies,in the 80's..couldnt remember who sang it and where i learned it,..until I came across this site..Thank you for posting it..I love it
Eladeel50
Was my Fathers favorite song and it brings me so many memories!!! Thank you for sharing this.
mary crawford
my nanny used to sing me the chorus of this song when we would be driving around in the car.....I was 14 when she died, 25 now, just heard this song for the 1st time... so many memories came running back and of course I have squalled like a baby!!! But thank you for posting this, I could hear her singing it to me.....closest I have had to hearing her voice in 11 years!!! love you nanny!!!rip
patrick naughton
saw her perform in Calgary in the late 50's along with Carl Smith & Jim Reeves she is a great singer well deserved of the Country Hall of Fame,got a hug & a peck on the cheek from her after the show she is one beautiful lady with the voice to match love this version.
Antonio Peret
SINGELA CANTIGA MARAVILHA