Wanda Jackson
American singer and songwriter; recorded the critically acclaimed B-side "Funnel of Love."
Wanda Jackson is an American singer and songwriter who recorded the 1961 single "Funnel of Love" as the B-side to her major country-pop hit "Right or Wrong." Written by Charlie McCoy (credited as "Charles McCoy") and Kent Westbury, the song was recorded on October 28, 1960, at the Bradley Film and Recording Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. Although it never became a hit independently, "Funnel of Love" has received notable critical acclaim and is considered one of Jackson's best vocal performances. The song's unique combination of country, rock, and blues has made it a favorite of fans and critics alike.
- field
- Singer, songwriter
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Pioneering female rockabilly artist; first women in rock and roll; country music
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Wanda Jackson had been known as both a country and rock and roll performer by the time she recorded "Funnel of Love" in 1960. One of the few women of the era performing rock, she had hits with "You Can't Have My Love" (1954) and "Let's Have a Party" (1960). The song came to Jackson's attention while recording for Capitol Records under producer Ken Nelson. In an interview with Philadelphia Weekly, Jackson recounted that it was difficult identifying "Funnel of Love" with a specific musical genre: "It wasn't country, it wasn't rock, but we knew it was a good song. So we made a good record on it." The recording session included The Nashville A-Team of musicians, and the song's guitar solo was performed by Roy Clark, a member of Jackson's band "The Party Timers" who later had a successful country music career. "Funnel of Love" was released in April 1961 as the B-side to "Right or Wrong" on Capitol Records. The A-side became Jackson's second top-10 entry on the US Billboard Hot Country and Western Sides chart, peaking at number nine, and her second top-40 single on the US Hot 100, reaching number 29. "Funnel of Love" itself failed to enter any Billboard charts. The song went unreleased on an album until Bear Family Records released the Jackson box set Right or Wrong in 1992. It has since received vast critical acclaim, with Adam Gold of Rolling Stone calling it a "greasy classic" and Tim Sendra of AllMusic noting it "adds historical interest" and is "really quite good too."
With the renewal of interest in Jackson's career since the 1990s, "Funnel of Love" has become a favorite of Wanda Jackson fans. It has been covered by various artists, including Rosie Flores. In 2001, foreign music group Velvetone released a single version featuring Jackson herself. Jackson revisited the song on her 2003 studio album Heart Trouble, with a new version featuring the punk rock band The Cramps as guest performers. The song has also served as inspiration for new musical artists, most notably British soul artist Adele. According to Jackson, Adele mentioned that if she had not heard "Funnel of Love," her 2010 single "Rolling in the Deep" may have never existed. American singer Cyndi Lauper covered "Funnel of Love" as part of her 2016 album Detour, recording it because she considered Jackson a considerable influence on her career.
Reader's Guide
Wanda Jackson's "Funnel of Love" stands out as a unique recording that defied easy genre classification. Written by Charlie McCoy and Kent Westbury, the song blends country, rock, and blues in a way that Jackson herself described as neither typical country nor typical rock. Recorded on October 28, 1960, at Nashville's Bradley Film and Recording Studio, the session featured top session musicians The Nashville A-Team and a memorable guitar solo by Roy Clark. Despite being relegated to the B-side of "Right or Wrong" and never charting independently, the song has earned lasting critical acclaim. Critics like Rolling Stone's Adam Gold have praised it as a "greasy classic," while AllMusic's Tim Sendra called it "really quite good." The song's influence extends to major artists: Adele credited it as inspiration for "Rolling in the Deep," and Cyndi Lauper covered it on her 2016 album Detour. Jackson herself revisited the song in 2003 with a version featuring The Cramps. For fans, "Funnel of Love" represents one of Jackson's finest vocal performances and a hidden gem in her catalog.
Did You Know?
- "Funnel of Love" was written by Charlie McCoy (credited as "Charles McCoy") and Kent Westbury, with McCoy being a country musician and Westbury a country songwriter.
- The song's guitar solo was performed by Roy Clark, who was a member of Jackson's band "The Party Timers" and later had a successful country music career.
- Jackson revisited "Funnel of Love" on her 2003 studio album Heart Trouble, featuring the punk rock band The Cramps as guest performers.
- According to Jackson, Adele told her that if she had not heard "Funnel of Love," her 2010 single "Rolling in the Deep" may have never existed.
- Cyndi Lauper covered "Funnel of Love" on her 2016 album Detour, with a music video filmed at a restaurant in Pioneertown, California.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Wanda Jackson?
Wanda LaVonne Jackson (born October 20, 1937) is an American singer and songwriter who has been recording music since the 1950s. She is best known as a pioneering female voice in rock and roll and as one of the earliest women to achieve stardom in country music.
Why is Wanda Jackson called 'The Queen of Rockabilly'?
The nickname stuck after she released a string of 1950s singles that made her one of the first women to build a real career in rock and roll. Her bold, energetic performances in a genre dominated by men earned her that title among fans and critics.
What genres did Wanda Jackson work in?
She recorded and released music across rock, country, and gospel throughout her career. Her range helped her stand out as a versatile artist rather than being boxed into a single category.
Why is Wanda Jackson important to rock & roll history?
She proved that a woman could command the same stage energy and commercial success as the male rockers of the 1950s. By breaking into both rockabilly and country as a female star, she opened the door for every woman who followed in those genres.
When and where was Wanda Jackson born?
She was born on October 20, 1937, in the United States. Her career launched in the 1950s, placing her squarely in the founding era of rock and roll.
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