In the Jailhouse Now

Album: The Singing Brakeman (1928)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Sometimes titled "He's in the Jailhouse Now," this lighthearted song about a small-time criminal who gets locked up became a popular vaudeville number in the early 20th century. One of the earliest and most popular recordings was by Jimmie Rodgers, a country musician known for his signature yodeling, in 1928.

    Rodgers is one of several musicians who copyrighted a version of the song, and he is often credited as the writer. A case can also be made for the blues musician Pink Anderson (the "Pink" in Pink Floyd), who performed the song at medicine shows around the American south.
  • Webb Pierce recorded a popular version of this song that was a #1 Country hit in 1955. Johnny Cash - no stranger to prison songs - included the song on his 1962 album The Sound of Johnny Cash and released it as a single that year, taking it to #8 on the Country chart.
  • Actor Tim Blake Nelson, who played Delmar O'Donnell in O Brother, Where Art Thou?, performed this song with the Soggy Bottom Boys for the movie and its soundtrack.

Comments: 2

  • Wildwood Valley Boy from Tenn,,,such a shame to see incorrect lyrics printed !...verse two should read,,,-"he played a game called poker,...PINNOCLE, WHIST, and EUCHER !"
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn May 10th 1962, Johnny Cash performed for the first time at Carnegie Hall in New York City...
    At the time his covered version of "In the Jailhouse Now" was being reviewed in Billboard's Magazine, and it was given three out of four stars, as stated above it peaked at #8 on Billboard's Country & Western Music chart...
    Later on 1962 he would enter Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart with a covered vocal version of "Bonanza", from the NBC-TV western of the same name, it stayed on the chart for one week at #94...
    The 'Man in Black' passed away on September 12th, 2003 at the age of 71...
    May he R.I.P.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Protest Songs

Protest SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know your protest songs (including the one that went to #1)?

Gene Simmons of Kiss

Gene Simmons of KissSongwriter Interviews

The Kiss rocker covers a lot of ground in this interview, including why there are no Kiss collaborations, and why the Rock Hall has "become a sham."

Terry Jacks ("Seasons in the Sun")

Terry Jacks ("Seasons in the Sun")Songwriter Interviews

Inspired by his dear friend, "Seasons in the Sun" paid for Terry's boat, which led him away from music and into a battle with Canadian paper mills.

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.