In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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 and 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 (ha)
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 the 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
Well, we got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout
Honey we've been talkin' 'bout Jackson
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 and 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 (ha)
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 the 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
Well, we got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout
Honey we've been talkin' 'bout Jackson
Lyrics submitted by Madcappunk
Jackson Lyrics as written by Billy Edd Wheeler Jerry Leiber
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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We named our first son "Jackson" because we loved the song.
More of the song came true than I'd care to reflect on.
Yes, its about a married couple whose passions may have waned a bit (fire went out) and the man is forever talking of going to the bright lights of Jackson (TN? Famed at the time for its entertainment offerings and as the home of Casey Jones, then the subject of a popular song). The phrases 'comb my hair' and 'cut loose my coat' are sexual innuendo, one very popular song at the time being Adkins "Cut A Loose A My Coat," a song that was considered to be almost downright bawdy. It is indeed JayPan fan... "Jaypan" being a regional pronunciation of Japan and the fan indicating that as a woman of virtue she would not want to be seen in Jackson even though she would be so entertained by his making a fool of himself with his drinking and womanizing that she would be dancing on a Pony Keg, a half-keg of beer that is fairly close to the ground and thus suitable for an exuberant woman to climb onto. I may be wrong about the fan,,, it may just be that it was a common item in the pre-airconditioning days, but I think not.
...and I like it when he sings it with June Carter. Her character speaks in her voice!
They had a very special marriage, considering their Hollywood/Nashville status. It was a rare union...very beautiful, although I'm sure it had its downs like all marital unions. LOVE the song. I have the mint vinyl on my wall.
I to love this song. I just think Johnny and June made it there own. My parents have a version on reel to reel (so old I know LOL!) where they sing Jackson and throw in Jackson Mississippi. So I guess they just made it there own and had fun with it.
I am not fond of country music, but this song is really cute! I heard it in the movie The help. By the way the movie The help is as good as the book! I never laughed and cried so much in a movie before!!!!
The couple is going to Jackson Mississippi to rekindle their marriage. (of course it could be anither Jackson, but I think of MS cos I am from there)
I wish the person who posted this song would break the lyrics up into who sang what. Or at least into stanzas.
Well peppers sprouts vary is hotness, bell peppers aren't hot but habeneros will burn your tounge clean off.
"The couple is going to Jackson Mississippi to rekindle their marriage."
No they're not! They threaten each other that they are going to runaway to Jackson ALONE.
Thus the line: "I'm going to Jackson, I'm gonna mess around."
It implies that this threat has come up many times in this marriage.
I heard that when johnny wrote this song, he used "Jackson" is a euphenism for the place he goes when he gets high... this kinda makes sense, especially...
"We're going down to Jackson, Go ahead and wreck your health. Go play your hand you big-talking man, And make a big fool of yourself"
That's a good theory, only problem is that Johnny Cash did not write this song, he only covered it.