Smackwater Jack

Carole King

About Smackwater Jack

"Smackwater Jack" is a song written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. It was first released on King's 1971 album Tapestry and then on the second single from that album, along with "So Far Away", charting at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was subsequently covered by many artists, most famously by Quincy Jones as the title song of his 1971 album Smackwater Jack. Rolling Stone critic Jon Landau described "Smackwater Jack" as an "uptempo shuffle". Its lyrics tell the story of a confrontation between the outlaw Smackwater Jack and Big Jim the Chief. In this way it differs from the other songs on Tapestry, which are more personal and based on expressing emotions. Billboard ranked both sides of the "So Far Away"/"Smackwater Jack" single together on the Billboard Hot 100. The single peaked at number 14. 


Year:
1971
3:42
148 

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Now, Smackwater Jack,
He bought a shotgun
'Cause he was in the mood
For a little confrontation
He just a-let it all hang loose;
He didn't think about the noose
He couldn't take no more abuse
So he shot down the congregation

You can't talk to a man
With a shotgun in his hand

Now, Big Jim the chief
Stood for law and order
He called for the guard to come
And surround the border
Now, from his bulldog mouth,
As he led the posse south,
Came the cry, "We got to ride
To clean up the streets
For our wives and our daughters!"

You can't talk to a man
When he don't wanna understand
No, no, no, no, no

The account of the capture
Wasn't in the papers,
But you know, they hanged ol' Smack right then
Instead of later
You know, the people were quite pleased
'Cause the outlaw had been seized
And on the whole, it was a very good year
For the undertaker

You know, you know, you can't talk to a man
With a shotgun in his hand.
A shotgun in his hand
Smackwater Jack bought a shotgun
Yeah, Smackwater Jack bought a shotgun
Oh, Smackwater Jack, yeah
Talkin' 'bout Smackwater Jack, yeah
Talkin' 'bout a-Smackwater Jack, oh
Talkin' 'bout Jack and his shotgun talkin' about Smack, talkin' 'bout Jack, Smackwater Jack

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Carole King

Carole King (born February 9, 1942) is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. King and her former husband Gerry Goffin wrote more than two dozen chart hits for numerous artists during the 1960s, many of which have become standards. As a singer, her Tapestry album topped the U.S. album chart for 15 weeks in 1971, and remained on the charts for more than six years. more »

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Written by: Carole King, Gerry Goffin

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Release Information
"Smackwater Jack" is a well-known song from Carole King's 1971 album "Tapestry."
Collaborative Efforts
The song's live version was arranged by luminary talent Quincy Jones, highlighting the duo's skillful collaboration.
Influence
Quincy Jones' creative input on "Smackwater Jack" bears his signature jazz and pop fusion style which enhances the song's appeal.
Song Recurrence
The song was also included in Carole King's 1994 compilation album "The Living Room Tour" demonstrating its enduring popularity.
Grammy Award
The "Tapestry" album, which included "Smackwater Jack", won four Grammy Awards in 1972, including Album of the Year.
Lyrics
The song's lyrics are about a vigilante named Smackwater Jack who is eventually gunned down by law enforcement, a unique narrative for King's repertoire.
Album Success
"Tapestry," the album on which "Smackwater Jack" appears, is one of the best-selling albums of all time with over 25 million copies sold worldwide.
Live Performances
Live recordings showcase both King's excellent renditions and Jones' superb orchestral arrangements, like the version at the 1972 Montreux Festival.
Song Style
"Smackwater Jack" is viewed as an outlier on the "Tapestry" album due to its upbeat rhythm and the darker narrative in its lyrics.
Cultural Impact
The song, like the rest of the album, marked a turning point in the music industry's view of female singer-songwriters and helped pave the way for future generations of women in music.
Songwriting
"Smackwater Jack" was co-written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin, marking one of their last successful collaborations.

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