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.
End Of The World
Brenda Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why does the sea rush to shore
Don't they know it's the end of the world
'Cause You don't love me anymore,Yes
Why do the birds go on singing
Why do the stars glow above
Don't they know it's the end of the world
I wake up in the mornin' and I wonder
Why everything's the same as it was
I can't understand, no
I can't understand
How life goes on the way it does
Why does my heart go on beating
Why do these eyes of mine cry
Don't they know it's the end of the world
It ended when you said goodbye
Why does my heart go on beating
Why do these eyes of mine cry
Don't they know it's the end of the world
It ended when you said goodbye
Goodbye
The song "The End of the World" by Brenda Lee, released in 1962, has powerful, emotive lyrics that capture the heartbreak of lost love. The song is an expression of the singer's despair at the end of a relationship, and her struggle to come to terms with the fact that the world keeps turning despite her sorrow. In the verses, Brenda Lee asks poignant questions about why the sun keeps shining and the birds keep singing, even though her own world has been shattered by the loss of love.
The chorus of the song is particularly powerful, with Brenda Lee repeating "Don't they know it's the end of the world" several times, each time with increasing anguish. This repetition serves to amplify the sense of despair and futility felt by the singer, as she desperately tries to make sense of a world in which everything seems to be going on as usual despite her own personal devastation.
The lyrics of "The End of the World" resonate with anyone who has ever experienced the pain of lost love, and have made the song a timeless classic. The simple yet powerful melody, combined with Brenda Lee's emotive vocals, make for a haunting and unforgettable listening experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Why does the sun go on shining
The singer is questioning why the world still appears to function despite their personal emotional devastation.
Why does the sea rush to shore
The singer is wondering why the natural cycles of the world continue despite their own personal turmoil.
Don't they know it's the end of the world
The singer feels that the world should come to a halt because of their heartbreak.
'Cause You don't love me anymore,Yes
The reason for the artist's despair is because their lover has left them.
Why do the birds go on singing
The artist cannot understand why the birds continue to make joyful noises despite their painful situation.
Why do the stars glow above
The singer cannot comprehend why the stars keep shining despite the darkness they feel inside.
Don't they know it's the end of the world
The singer believes that the world should recognize the tragedy of their lost love and cease to function.
It ended when I lost your love
The artist believes that their world came to an end when their lover left them.
I wake up in the mornin' and I wonder
The artist begins each day with confusion and uncertainty about how life can continue without their lover.
Why everything's the same as it was
The artist cannot comprehend how life can continue with everything appearing to be the same as before their lover left.
I can't understand, no
The singer is struggling to come to terms with their current situation.
How life goes on the way it does
The artist cannot fathom how life can continue as if nothing has changed despite their emotional turmoil.
Why does my heart go on beating
The singer is questioning why their heart continues to pump blood despite feeling broken.
Why do these eyes of mine cry
The singer is questioning why their tears continue to flow despite feeling emotionally drained.
Don't they know it's the end of the world
The singer feels that the world should acknowledge and mourn their lost love.
It ended when you said goodbye
The artist believes that their world came to an end when their lover said goodbye.
Goodbye
The artist's final statement and acknowledgement of their heartbreak.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Sentric Music
Written by: PETER MCNULTY-CONNOLLY, MARCUS MYBE, LOUIE ST. LOUIS, KURTIS DESHAUN WILLIAMS, MICHAEL ANGELO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Vladimir Luksin
Wonderful song, wonderful voice Brenda! How long ago was that. Great actors and the fabulous world of Hollywood. Memories of them bring warmth to my heart. Thank you!
Raymond Morgan
Yes some unbelievably pretty girls here. Mesmerizing. Just look at Paulette Goddard at 1:36 who later married Chaplin.
Sara Baker
@Raymond Morgan who is that at 1:53? She is gorgeous!
JAEUGENIO
@Raymond Morgan Cyd Charisse ,Mary Astor al final,
be aware
What an unforgettable voice, goosebumps 🙏...... and of course the wonderful selection of film sequences.... they have not been with us for a long time, but what remains is exactly that! Thank you for posting 👍
Rosirene Stefane
Lindissima letra e musica tomando um bom vinho
mosriteminion cause
Anyone who has a spouse or a child pass away understands this song on a whole other level.. I'll always miss you my Mary.
mosriteminion cause
@Alejandro Caballero God Bless You!☮💜✝
Maria Teresa Silva
Adoro esta música
Georges Sadourny
La voix de Brenda Lee est merveilleuse et cette chanson magnifique.