Lee was a musical prodigy and by the time she was two she would hear songs on the radio once and be able to whistle the complete tune. She was five years old when she started to gain wider attention when she won a local singing contest sponsored by the elementary schools. At age 11, she was offered a recording contract with Decca Records and released the song “Dynamite,” leading to her lifelong nickname, “Little Miss Dynamite.”
Lee was popular in the UK very early in her career, and her 1961 rockabilly release “Let’s Jump the Broomstick” did not chart in the US, but went to #12 in the UK. Her biggest hits during this time include a rockabilly version of the country classic “Jambalaya (On the Bayou),” “Sweet Nothin’s,” “I Want to Be Wanted,” “All Alone Am I,” and “Fool #1.”
In 1960, she recorded her signature song, “I’m Sorry,” which hit number one on the Billboard pop chart and was her first gold single. Her last top-10 single on the pop charts was 1963’s “Losing You,” while she continued to have other chart songs such as her 1966 song “Coming On Strong” and “Is It True?” in 1964.
During the early 1970s, Lee re-established herself as a country music artist, and earned a string of Top 10 hits on the country charts. Her biggest selling track of her career is, oddly enough, a Christmas song: “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” It was released in 1958, but it sold only 5,000 copies. However, it eventually sold over five million copies and remains a perennial radio favorite each December. In December 2023, Lee became the oldest artist to ever top the Hot 100, when "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" topped the chart 65 years after its release.
Over the ensuing years, Lee has continued to record and perform all around the world, previously cutting records in four different languages. She is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, and the Hit Parade Hall of Fame. In 1992, she recorded a duet with Willy DeVille; Chuck Berry also wrote a song about her. Lee has been married to Ronnie Shacklett since 1963, and they have two daughters and three grandchildren. She is the second recipient of the Jo Meador-Walker Lifetime Achievement award.
Throughout her career, Brenda Lee has released 41 studio albums, 12 compilation albums, and over 100 singles. She has had numerous top twenty hits on the Billboard Hot 100, Country, and AC charts in the US, UK, and Canada.
Come Rain Or Come Shine
Brenda Lee Lyrics
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Come rain or come shine
High as a mountain, deep as a river
Come rain or come shine
I guess, I guess when you met me
It was just one of those things
But don't ever bet me
You're gonna love me, like nobody's loved me
Come rain or come shine
Happy together, unhappy together
Oh won't it be fine
Days may be cloudy or sunny
We're in or we're out of the money
But I'm with you always
I'm with you rain or shine
Days may be cloudy or sunny
We're in or we're out of the money
But I'm with you baby
I'm with you rain or shine
The lyrics to Brenda Lee's song "Come Rain or Come Shine" express a promise of love and devotion regardless of life's ups and downs. The opening lines convey a deep level of commitment, promising to love someone more than anyone ever has - through all circumstances, regardless of the obstacles that life may bring. The following lines paint a picture of the depth of this love, describing how it is as high as a mountain and deep as a river. This imagery emphasizes the solidity and strength of the love between the two individuals.
The second stanza hints at the idea that their meeting may have been a chance occurrence, but the singer promises to be true to their love if given the opportunity. The next line suggests that the other person will love the singer in the same way - as if no one has ever loved them before. This mutual devotion is further emphasized in the reference to being "happy together, unhappy together." This phrase suggests not only unity in moments of happiness, but a bond that is steadfast even in times of difficulty.
The final lines of the song express the enduring nature of this love - regardless of the external circumstances of life, the singer promises to be with the other person "rain or shine." This phrase ties back to the title of the song and suggests that their love is strong enough to weather any storms that may come their way.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna love you like nobody's loved you
I will cherish you in a way that surpasses all previous experiences
Come rain or come shine
My devotion will remain unbroken regardless of the challenges we face
High as a mountain, deep as a river
My love for you runs as deep as the largest and tallest natural phenomena known to man
I guess, I guess when you met me
It's possible that fate brought us together
It was just one of those things
Perhaps our meeting was simply coincidental
But don't ever bet me
Do not doubt my commitment to our relationship
'Cause I'm gonna be true if you let me
If you allow me, I will always be faithful and devoted to you
You're gonna love me, like nobody's loved me
You will reciprocate my affection with a depth and purity unlike anything experienced before
Happy together, unhappy together
We will share joy and hardship alike, never abandoning each other
Oh won't it be fine
Overcoming obstacles will only bring us closer and enhance our love
Days may be cloudy or sunny
We may experience challenging or easy times
We're in or we're out of the money
We may face financial uncertainty at times
But I'm with you always
No matter what life throws our way, I will always be by your side
I'm with you rain or shine
My love and loyalty to you remain steadfast through all weather conditions
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind