Jerry Lee Lewis

Featuring: Linda Gail Lewis

Songwriter: Jack Mahoney Percy Wenrich

Producer: Jerry Kennedy

When you wore a tulip
A sweet yellow tulip
And I wore a big red rose

When you caressed me
'Twas then Heaven blessed me
What a blessing, no one knows

You made life cheery
When you called me dearie
'Twas down where the blue grass grows

Your lips were sweeter than julep
When you wore that tulip
And I wore a big red rose

Jerry Lee Lewis was a leading figure in the popularization of rock & roll during the 1950s. He was first signed to Sun Records in 1956 where he was labelmates with Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and other early rock artists. Of those musicians, however, he was the only piano player and combined with his heavy-handed playing style, sexually suggestive lyrics, and provocative stage antics he came to epitomize the rebelliousness of the genre.

He rose to international fame for his 1957 versions of the songs “Great Balls of Fire” and “Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On.”

Lewis' popularity rapidly tumbled, however, when in 1958, when at the age of 22, he married his 13-year-old cousin. Though this scandal continued to tarnish his image, Lewis never retired from music. As of October 2015, he continues to perform live.

more tracks from the album

Live at the International, Las Vegas

From the album

Live at the International, Las Vegas (1970)

Jerry Lee Lewis popular songs

When You Wore a Tulip and I Wore a Big Red RoseJerry Lee Lewis

Jerry Lee Lewis

Live at the International, Las Vegas