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.
You Know That I'm No Good
Wanda Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your rolled up sleeves and your skull t-shirt
You say 'what did you do with him all day?'
And spitting me out like I was Tanqueray
'Cause you're my fella my guy
Hand me your Stella and fly
By the time I'm out the door
You tear me down like Roger Moore
I cheated myself
Like I knew, I would
I told you I was trouble
You know that I'm no good
I'm upstairs with my ex boy
He's at my place but I can't get joy
Thinking of you but no one knows
This is when my buzzer goes
Run out to meet you, chips and pitta
You say 'when we married'
'Cause you're not bitter
There'll be none of him no more
I cried for you on the kitchen floor
I cheated myself
Like I knew, I would
I told you I was trouble
You know that I'm no good
Sweet reunion Jamaica and Spain
We're like how we were again
I'm in the tub, you're on the seat
Lick your lips as I soak my feet
Then you notice a carpet burn
My stomach drops and my guts churn
You shrug and it's the worst
Who really stuck the knife in first
I cheated myself
Like I knew, I would
I told you I was trouble
You know that I'm no good
I cheated myself
Like I knew, I would
I told you I was trouble
Yeah you know that I'm no good
I told you I was trouble
Yeah you know that I'm no good
In Wanda Jackson’s song “You Know That I’m No Good,” the lyrics detail a complicated and tumultuous relationship marked by infidelity and mistrust. The song’s protagonist meets her significant other at a bar but is immediately met with suspicion and accusations about her whereabouts. The relationship is contentious, with the partner tearing her down like “Roger Moore” and the singer cheating and feeling guilty for her actions.
The lyrics detail a variety of situations – the singer interacts with her ex-boyfriend while thinking about her current partner, reunites with her partner on a trip to Jamaica and Spain, and even has a vulnerable moment when she cries for her partner on the kitchen floor. Ultimately, the lyrics reflect the singer’s awareness of her own shortcomings and awareness that her partner may not forgive her for her actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Meet you downstairs in the bar and hurt
I will meet you at the bar and cause you emotional pain.
Your rolled up sleeves and your skull t-shirt
I notice your attire of rolled up sleeves and skull t-shirt.
You say 'what did you do with him all day?'
You demand to know what I did with my time today.
And spitting me out like I was Tanqueray
You reject me like I am cheap alcohol.
'Cause you're my fella my guy
You are my partner, my man.
Hand me your Stella and fly
Give me your beer and let's go.
By the time I'm out the door
As soon as I leave.
You tear me down like Roger Moore
You criticize me harshly, similar to how James Bond actor, Roger Moore, would take down his enemies.
I cheated myself
I betrayed myself.
Like I knew, I would
As if it was a pre-destined event.
I told you I was trouble
I warned you of my problems.
You know that I'm no good
You are aware that I am not a good person.
I'm upstairs with my ex boy
I am upstairs with my former lover.
He's at my place but I can't get joy
He is physically present, but I am not satisfied emotionally.
Thinking of you but no one knows
I am thinking of you, but keeping it a secret.
This is when my buzzer goes
That is when my doorbell rings.
Run out to meet you, chips and pitta
I hurry out to greet you with chips and pita bread.
You say 'when we married'
You bring up the topic of marriage.
'Cause you're not bitter
You are not resentful.
There'll be none of him no more
I will no longer see my former lover.
I cried for you on the kitchen floor
I wept for you on the floor of my kitchen.
Sweet reunion Jamaica and Spain
We reunite in places like Jamaica and Spain.
We're like how we were again
We are reminiscent of how we used to be.
I'm in the tub, you're on the seat
I am in the bathtub, while you sit on the toilet.
Lick your lips as I soak my feet
You lick your lips while I bathe my feet.
Then you notice a carpet burn
You spot a burn mark on the carpet.
My stomach drops and my guts churn
I feel a sudden intense feeling of fear and nausea.
You shrug and it's the worst
You display indifference and it hurts.
Who really stuck the knife in first
Who was the one to initiate the harm in the relationship.
I cheated myself
I betrayed myself.
Like I knew, I would
As if it was a pre-destined event.
I told you I was trouble
I warned you of my problems.
You know that I'm no good
You are aware that I am not a good person.
I cheated myself
I betrayed myself.
Like I knew, I would
As if it was a pre-destined event.
I told you I was trouble
I warned you of my problems.
Yeah you know that I'm no good
Indeed, you are very aware that I am not a good person.
I told you I was trouble
I previously disclosed that I was problematic.
Yeah you know that I'm no good
And you definitely know that I am not a good person.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: AMY WINEHOUSE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SWilde-ws9qg
the Tarantino-esque guitar riff is just lovely in this version
@emmaduncan2991
remarkable, ranks with Amy's original.
@michaelkennedy8275
Fabulous
@mariupeluso7403
This IS the original
@nickthomas6827
@mariu peluso No. Winehouse wrote it and did it first.
@tncdel2837
Doesn't sound like her.
@memoriesmarmymind...5587
tnc del yes IT IS
@michellebabicz2143
Valiant effort with an iconic song. Next time, please sing the correct lyrics, hon.
@nyehweh
She's not a hon, she's a music legend. And parts of the song were purposely rewritten for her. Likely because of the generational difference.