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.
Is It True
Brenda Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everywhere you go they're spreading it around
Saying that you've gone and found another one
Is it true, my love?
What about the ring you gave me yesterday?
Is it hard for me to throw it all away
As you said goodbye, if you have no lie
Is it true my love?
Don't you know, don't you know
You're making me blue
Baby, baby say it isn't, say it isn't true
Coming down the street the story looks the same
Everyone I meet is whispering your name
Saying that you've gone and found another one
Is it true, my love?
Saying that you've gone and found another one
Is it true, my love?
Don't you know, don't you know
You're making me blue
Baby, baby say it isn't, say it isn't true
Coming down the street the story looks the same
Everyone I meet is whispering your name
Saying that you've gone and found another one
Is it true, my love?
Brenda Lee's song Is It True is a heartbreaking ballad about a woman questioning the faithfulness of her lover. The lyrics describe the rumors spreading around the town that the man has found someone new. The singer is struggling with the idea of letting go of the ring that her lover gave her, and the end of their relationship. She seeks confirmation of the truth from her lover, asking if he has found another woman. The chorus echoes her feelings of confusion and heartache, pleading with him to deny the rumors and prove his love.
The song is a poignant piece that captures the emotional turmoil of a betrayed lover. The lyrics address the pain of insecurity and the desire to believe in love. The singer expresses her fears and doubts, while hoping that her lover will provide reassurance and reaffirm their commitment. The song's somber melody emphasizes the sadness and vulnerability of the singer's situation.
Overall, Brenda Lee's Is It True is a haunting and powerful song that captures the heartache of a lover questioning the fidelity of their partner. The lyrics and melody work together to create a poignant and emotional ballad that has touched the hearts of many over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen to the talk that's going around town
Pay attention to the rumors that are spreading throughout the town
Everywhere you go they're spreading it around
No matter where you go, people are gossiping about us
Saying that you've gone and found another one
The rumor is that you've left me for someone else
Is it true, my love?
I want to know if the rumor is true, my dear
What about the ring you gave me yesterday?
I'm confused about the ring you gave me yesterday
Is it hard for me to throw it all away
It's difficult for me to let go of the ring you gave me
As you said goodbye, if you have no lie
When you said goodbye, did you speak the truth?
Is it true my love?
I need to know if the rumor is true, my love
Don't you know, don't you know
Haven't you realized?
You're making me blue
You're making me sad
Baby, baby say it isn't, say it isn't true
My dear, please tell me that the rumor isn't true
Coming down the street the story looks the same
As I walk down the street, the rumor is still being circulated
Everyone I meet is whispering your name
Wherever I go, people are whispering your name
Saying that you've gone and found another one
The rumor is that you've left me for someone else
Is it true, my love?
I want to know if the rumor is true, my dear
Saying that you've gone and found another one
The rumor is that you've left me for someone else
Is it true, my love?
I want to know if the rumor is true, my dear
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JOHN CARTER, KENNETH HAWKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
fabe1311
That dude playing guitar has so much talent, maybe he'll be famous some day!
My sweet lord
Yeah. Maybe he’ll use a violin bow string on his guitar.
Martine Tremblay
That would be Mr Page
Jos van der Gun
One of my all time fovourites; terrific and absolutely timeless beauty!!
VirreFriberg
I've always loved the drum sound on this song
Angela Allen
Me too
Bu Bu
Guitar
Vulture
Fairly sure this was Bobby Graham, talented bloke indeed
Neil Buscher
Awsome song! I missed it when it first came out.
lee shafer
I have NO memory of this "hit" and I watched the charts closely