Listen to Wanda Jackson’s Fiery Performance of “Pick Me Up On Your Way Down” That Will Leave You Begging for More
“Pick Me Up On Your Way Down” is a classic country song originally recorded by Charlie Walker in 1958, but it was later popularized by Wanda Jackson in her 1961 rendition. The song tells the story of a woman who is left heartbroken when her man leaves her for someone else. She pleads with him to pick her up on his way down from his new love’s arms, hoping that he will come back to her when things don’t work out.
At its core, “Pick Me Up On Your Way Down” is a song about heartbreak and the desperation that can come with it. Wanda Jackson delivers a powerful vocal performance, conveying the pain and longing that the lyrics express. The opening verse sets the scene, describing how the narrator’s man has left her for someone new, leaving her alone and in despair:
“You were mine for just a while
Now you’re puttin’ on the style
And you’ve never once looked back
At your home across the track”
The chorus of the song is perhaps its most memorable part, with Jackson singing the titular line, “Pick me up on your way down.” It’s a plea for her lover to remember her and come back to her when he realizes that his new relationship is not what he thought it would be.
As the song continues, Jackson sings about the pain that comes with being left behind. She describes how she’s been drinking and crying since her man left, and how she’s willing to forgive him if he’ll only come back to her:
“I’ll forgive you and I’ll try
To forget what’s gone awry
Can’t we make another start?
You can mend a broken heart”
Overall, “Pick Me Up On Your Way Down” is a powerful and emotionally charged country ballad. It speaks to the universal experience of heartbreak and the hope that comes with the possibility of reconciliation. Wanda Jackson’s rendition of the song is a classic example of her raw and soulful vocal style, and it remains a beloved staple of country music to this day.