About the song
“Jackson” is a classic country and pop song that first emerged in 1963, written by Billy Edd Wheeler and Jerry Leiber. Initially recorded by various artists including the Kingston Trio, Billy Edd Wheeler, and Flatt and Scruggs, it gained widespread recognition with two prominent releases in 1967: a country rendition by Johnny Cash and June Carter, and a pop version by Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood.
The genesis of “Jackson” is intriguingly linked to playwright Edward Albee’s *Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?* According to Wheeler, inspiration struck when he read the play’s script, although he couldn’t afford to see it on Broadway. Jerry Leiber, collaborating with Wheeler, made significant contributions to the song’s structure, advising Wheeler to rearrange the verses and famously suggesting to start with the impactful line, “We got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout.”
The song portrays a married couple at a crossroads in their relationship, contemplating a journey to Jackson, a symbolic destination where the husband imagines liberation and excitement. However, the wife sees through his fantasies, predicting that his escapade will lead to disappointment and ridicule, while she plans to mock his misadventures from afar. This dichotomy of aspirations and realities adds depth to the song’s narrative, resonating with listeners through its vivid storytelling and contrasting perspectives on love and freedom.
Regarding the geographical reference, Wheeler himself clarified that the choice of “Jackson” was more about the phonetic appeal than any specific city. Despite this, subsequent interpretations and recordings, including Johnny Cash’s rendition, have linked it to Jackson, Tennessee, particularly in contexts mentioning Carl Perkins, who resided there.
Musically, “Jackson” blends country twang with a catchy pop melody, which contributed to its dual success on both country and pop charts in 1967. Johnny Cash and June Carter’s spirited performance earned them chart success on the Billboard Country Singles, while Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood’s rendition added a pop flavor that resonated with a broader audience.
Overall, “Jackson” remains a testament to the enduring appeal of storytelling in music, capturing the complexities of relationships and the allure of freedom with timeless charm and musicality. Its multiple interpretations and enduring popularity underscore its status as a classic in American music history, continuing to enchant audiences with its evocative lyrics and memorable melodies.
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Lyrics
We got married in a fever
Hotter than a pepper sprout
We’ve been talkin’ ’bout Jackson
Ever since the fire went out
I’m goin’ to Jackson
I’m gonna mess around
Yeah, I’m goin’ to Jackson
Look out Jackson town
Well, go on down to Jackson
Go ahead and wreck your health
Go play your hand you big-talkin’ man, make a big fool of yourself
Yeah, go to Jackson
Go comb your hair
Honey, I’m gonna snowball Jackson
See if I care
When I breeze into that city
People gonna stoop and bow, (hah)
All them women gonna make me
Teach ’em what they don’t know how
I’m goin’ to Jackson
You turn-a loose-a my coat
‘Cause I’m goin’ to Jackson
“Goodbye, ” that’s all she wrote
But they’ll laugh at you in Jackson
And I’ll be dancin’ on a Pony Keg
They’ll lead you ’round town like a scalded hound
With your tail tucked between your legs
Yeah, go to Jackson
You big-talkin’ man
And I’ll be waitin’ in Jackson
Behind my Jaypan Fan
Well now, we got married in a fever
Hotter than a pepper Sprout
We’ve been talkin’ ’bout Jackson
Ever since the fire went out
I’m goin’ to Jackson
And that’s a fact
Yeah, we’re goin’ to Jackson
Ain’t never comin’ back
We got married in a fever
Hotter than a pepper sprout’
And we’ve been talkin’ ’bout Jackson
Ever since the fire went…