THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

124-Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood-Jackson.

1967-Number 11 single.

Best Bit-At 2.05. It is rumoured, although denied by Paddy McAloon, that it was the misheard lyrics ‘hotter than a pepper sprout’ that led to him naming one of the great bands of the 1980’s (see also best songs 718.)

‘Jackson’ was originally written and recorded in 1963 by Billy Edd Wheeler, and the legendary lyricist Jerry Leiber, (1933-2011) and first recorded by Wheeler that same year. Billy Edd Wheeler who is a Folk, and Country Music performer was born on December 9th, 1932, in Boone County, West Virginia, United States, and has issued 15 Albums between 1961-2006, with his greatest success coming in 1979 when co-writing ‘Coward of the County,’ which reached Number 1 in the UK, and Number 3 in America on Billboard when recorded by Kenny Rogers (1938-2020.) The other writer of ‘Jackson’ was Jerry Leiber (see also best songs 954-804 and 86) who is best remembered as one half of the songwriting duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller who together wrote in excess of 70 chart hits for artists such as Elvis Presley, The Drifters, and The Coasters. On ‘Jackson’ the songwriting credit is actually given to Gaby Rodgers, who was the wife of Jerry Leiber.

Billy Edd Wheeler has explained the writing of ‘Jackson,’ and also Jerry Leiber’s involvement. ‘Jackson’ came to me when I read the script for Edward Albee’s ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.’ When I played it for Jerry Leiber, he said ‘Your first verses suck,’ or words to that effect. ‘Throw them away and start the song with your last verse, “We got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout.” When I protested to Jerry that I couldn’t start the song with the climax, he said, ‘Oh, yes you can.’ So I rewrote the song and thanks to Jerry’s editing and help, it worked.’

In 1967 Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) (see also best songs (1010-978 and 367) recorded ‘Jackson,’ which was later included on their 1968 Album ‘Nancy & Lee,’ reaching Number 14 on Billboard, and Number 11 in the UK, when issued as a double ‘A’ side with ‘You Only Live Twice.’ Also that same year Johnny Cash (1932-2003) and June Carter (1929-2003) released a version which made Number 2 on the Billboard Country Music chart.

‘Jackson’ tells the story of the fiery relationship between a husband and wife, while arguing he threatens to go to Jackson where he feels that he will be more appreciated, particularly by the ladies. She scoffs at this, telling him that he will only make a fool of himself, and anyhow she feels that if she went, she would receive even more attention than him.

There has always been speculation as to which city of ‘Jackson’ the song refers to, with Wheeler saying,’Actually, I didn’t have a specific Jackson in mind. I just liked the sharp consonant sound, as opposed to soft-sounding words like Nashville.’ Incidentally I have done my research, and I find that there are 32 places in America named Jackson.

‘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.’