Jackie Deshannon Quotes

Powerful Jackie Deshannon for Daily Growth

About Jackie Deshannon

Jackie Deshannon (born Joan Desirée Becker, October 22, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter and record producer who has left an indelible mark on the pop music industry with her soulful voice, poignant lyrics, and innovative songwriting. Born in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Deshannon's musical journey began early when she started singing in local churches at the tender age of five. In the 1960s, Jackie moved to Detroit and then Nashville, honing her craft as a songwriter. It was there that she penned her first hit song, "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday," which became a massive success for Bobby Vee in 1964. This breakthrough led to Deshannon signing with Liberty Records and releasing her debut album, "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" (1964), followed by several others throughout the decade. Throughout her career, Jackie has consistently shown herself to be a trailblazer, both as an artist and songwriter. In 1965, she wrote and performed one of her most iconic songs, "What the World Needs Now Is Love," which remains a powerful anthem of peace and unity today. The following year, she became the first woman to produce a Top 40 hit for herself as both an artist and a producer with the single "When You Walk in the Room." Deshannon's impact on pop music is undeniable, as she has influenced countless artists such as Carole King, Linda Ronstadt, and Janis Ian. In 1998, she was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, recognizing her significant contributions to the world of music. Currently, Jackie Deshannon continues to perform and record, with a new album, "Music Speaks Louder Than Words," slated for release in 2021. Her timeless music and inspiring message of love and unity continue to resonate with audiences around the world.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"What the world needs now is love, sweet love

This quote by Jackie DeShannon emphasizes the essential need for universal affection and kindness in the world. Love, as she describes it, serves as a remedy to global issues and strife. It's a call for empathy, compassion, and unity among people regardless of their differences, promoting peace, harmony, and mutual understanding. The quote underscores the idea that love is not only a powerful human emotion but also an effective force capable of healing and transforming society.


It's not the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle that make a pretty picture - it's the fit of the puzzle.

The quote emphasizes that the harmony and connection between different parts (the 'pieces') is what ultimately creates a beautiful outcome ('a pretty picture'). It suggests that the value or success of something lies not just in its individual components, but in how well they fit together, complement each other, and collaborate towards a common goal.


Put a little love in your heart and the more you give the more you'll have.

This quote by Jackie DeShannon is about reinforcing the idea that spreading love can lead to increased feelings of love in return. It suggests that when we invest time, energy, or effort into showing kindness, compassion, or affection towards others, not only do we benefit those around us, but we also enrich ourselves. By actively giving love, we indirectly create more love within ourselves and our surroundings. This cycle of generosity can foster a positive and harmonious environment, leading to increased happiness and well-being for all involved.


A song is like a little magic wand, it can do so many things.

This quote emphasizes that music, or more specifically songs, possess an enchanting power. They can evoke emotions, transport us to different memories, influence our moods, and even act as a medium for storytelling. In essence, songs are not just sounds; they are versatile tools that can perform numerous functions, making them akin to magic wands in this metaphorical sense.


If love were just a game, my team would win.

This quote suggests that if love were something competitive, such as a game, Jackie Deshannon's 'team' or relationship would be the one to triumph. It implies a strong commitment and dedication to her loved ones, suggesting that she puts effort and passion into her relationships as one might in a game, and expects to come out on top due to this unwavering investment.


Well, as an artist, I think that Elvis's generosity to me he always talked very highly about me, he always spoke very highly about my work and singing and my writing.

- Jackie DeShannon

Think, Always, Very, Generosity

There are some good songs, but not the kind of song-writing that I remember, that I like. Springsteen still does it. Paul Simon, and there are also good writers, but that doesn't dominate the charts.

- Jackie DeShannon

I Remember, Some, Still, None

I think to just single out a highlight of Elvis's career is pretty much impossible. As far as being a fan of his, a lifetime fan, there were just too many highlights.

- Jackie DeShannon

Career, Think, Pretty, Highlights

Elvis was, at least the times I was around him, Elvis was a practical joker. He was always, had some little mischievous something going.

- Jackie DeShannon

Some, Always, Mischievous, Joker

When I used to go to Elvis's house was always a nightmare trying to get into the house because of so many fans outside the gate and he really couldn't go anywhere without sneaking in or doing something because people just wanted to be around him and to be with him.

- Jackie DeShannon

Doing, Used, Anywhere, Gate

I would think, to me, growing up in the south, growing up with all the gospel music, singing in the church and having that rhythm and blues - the blues background was my big inspiration.

- Jackie DeShannon

Think, Big, Having, Gospel Music

We have to set our own agenda, we have to set our own standards, we have to be very strong about what we want, we have to be very strong about our passion and if it's not right for you, you shouldn't do it just because you're advised by so-called geniuses.

- Jackie DeShannon

Strong, Very, Set, So-Called

I think Ingmar Bergman, Francoise Truffaut - all these people created images in my mind, beautiful pictures, I loved what was known at that time as the foreign film.

- Jackie DeShannon

Mind, Think, Images, Bergman

I went to art school, I think it helped me a great deal because it taught me who I am.

- Jackie DeShannon

Art, Think, Deal, Art School

When Elvis was performing, you just tried to figure out a way to get there. I think he set all the records and anyone that has ever had the good fortune to see him, you know what it's like to try to get in to see Elvis. It was impossible, practically.

- Jackie DeShannon

Impossible, Records, I Think, Good Fortune

The happy story right now is the full page in Vanity Fair, which gives me a great deal of exposure.

- Jackie DeShannon

Deal, Which, Vanity Fair, Great Deal

I always went with my agenda, I just couldn't execute it.

- Jackie DeShannon

Always, Just, Execute, Agenda

No, I got my web site going and said I have the record out. People were just falling on the floor - they couldn't believe it - after all that time. You know, it wasn't a compilation, it was new songs.

- Jackie DeShannon

Believe, Out, Got, Floor

And being away and not performing for a long time and really connecting with my audience for a long time, I have a great responsibility to myself and to them to do it exactly the way the process was when I was young.

- Jackie DeShannon

Process, Audience, Away, Connecting

I'm very interested to see how this new painting will go - I know I want it big and stark, and as I said, I follow the muse, and that's when it always works perfectly for me.

- Jackie DeShannon

New, Always, Very, Stark

I was lucky enough to first meet Elvis at his house in Bel Air and he used to invite different artists, singers and musicians, to come and jam with him at his house.

- Jackie DeShannon

Musicians, Lucky, Singers, Invite

I mean, I can sit down with a guitar, and in fact, we do two, three songs with just guitar and percussion.

- Jackie DeShannon

Down, Fact, In Fact, Percussion

I think, describing Elvis for me would be a very generous king. He was the king of rock and roll, will always be. He's whats made it possible for everyone to be performers and to do the things they do now.

- Jackie DeShannon

Think, Always, Very, Elvis

And I just remember, you know, breaking into tears and feeling so empty because, as long as Elvis was in the world, you always knew something was going and he always had something that kept everybody mesmerized.

- Jackie DeShannon

Tears, Always, Everybody, Elvis

Ignorance is kind of bliss.

- Jackie DeShannon

Ignorance, Kind, Bliss

There was a lot of great writing couples, but I try to do it all myself. And it was practically impossible, but I still managed to be ahead of my time.

- Jackie DeShannon

Myself, Ahead, Still, My Time

And unless you have that sense of being creative, people think you're just working all the time.

- Jackie DeShannon

Think, Working, Unless, Creative People

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.