The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
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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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.