Elle King

Lyrics

[Intro]
Mama's dead and gone
Papa ain't there
Mama's dead and gone
Papa don't care

[Verse 1]
Brother buried his hand
Pocket full of shotgun shells
He's just a married man
Stuck in that whiskey well

[Chorus]
What's left of my backbone
Is building this broken home
Building it up just to leave
City will chain me
How could you blame me?
Not breaking the law to break free
So please take Jackson out of me

[Verse 2]
Sister lays her head
She's just a lizard queen
She's known too many beds
But she sure can sing
Your hopeless soul
Begging for more time
You'd rather die than get old
Too bad you ain't killing kind
[Chorus]
What's left of my backbone
Is building this broken home
Building it up just to leave
City will chain me
How could you blame me?
Not breaking the law to break free
So please take Jackson out of me

[Bridge]
Well, this country weighs me down
There's nothing left for me in this town
These dreams I make before I wake
Well, I won't waste no more time, hey

[Chorus]
What's left of my backbone
Is building this broken home
Building it up just to leave
City will chain me
How could you blame me?
Not breaking the law to break free
So please take Jackson out of me

[Outro]
Take Jackson out of me
Take Jackson out of me

Elle King’s “Jackson” is a captivating song that tells a story of a broken family in Jackson County, Ohio. Released as the 10th track from her debut album “Love Stuff,” the song paints the heartbreaking picture of a family struggling to stay together in a city that seems to be tearing them apart.

The song is a true reflection of Elle King’s personal experiences, having grown up in different cities as her parents split. The experiences she went through helped her shape the song's lyrics, which are filled with raw emotions and feelings of hopelessness.

About Jackson

At first listen, “Jackson” sounds like another sad song. The slow tempo and the soulful voice of Elle King paint a picture of a hopeless situation. The song tells a story of a family struggling to stay together in Jackson County, Ohio. Despite the picture of despair painted in the song, Elle King’s powerful voice rings with a tinge of hope that things can get better if she can find a way out of the city.

“Jackson” starts with Elle singing about her childhood memories of the Ohio city, where she spent some time while growing up. The lyrics are very descriptive and paint a vivid picture of a family struggling to stay together in difficult circumstances. Elle’s deep love for her family is palpable as she sings about them, and you can feel the pain in her voice as she talks about watching them suffer.

The chorus of the song is the most captivating part of the lyrics. It’s the part of the song that will stick with you long after you’ve finished listening. The lyrics tell the story of Elle King's dreams of escaping Jackson County and making something more of herself. The chorus reads:

“Oh, Lord, please take me home Don't let me die alone I got that Midwest malaise My soul inside is gray Don't take me down to Jackson I don't wanna cry anymore”

Through these lyrics, you can feel Elle’s desperation to leave behind the pain and suffering she associates with Jackson County. The words highlight her longing for a better life, away from a city that has only brought her pain.

The bridge of the song is another striking part that highlights the raw emotions and pain that Elle King is going through. The lyrics read:

“I ain't the girl my daddy loves I ain't the girl my mama raised In this nest of emptiness I don't feel no goddamn safe”

These lyrics are especially poignant as they paint a picture of a girl who has been let down by the people who are supposed to love her the most. They highlight her feelings of being lost and alone in a world that seems to be falling apart.

“Jackson” is a song filled with powerful emotions, and Elle King’s voice brings them to life in a way that is both captivating and heart-wrenching. The lyrics of the song are very relatable, and anyone who has ever experienced pain and heartbreak will find something to connect with in this song.

As a music writer and expert with over 20 years of experience, I can confidently say that “Jackson” is a great addition to any music lover's playlist. The song’s powerful message, combined with Elle King’s soulful voice, makes it a must-listen for anyone looking for an emotional and captivating musical experience.

• Release Date: February 17, 2015
• Artist: Elle King