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.
Lazy River
Brenda Lee Lyrics
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That lazy lazy river in the noon day sun
Linger in the shade of an old oak tree
Throw away your troubles dream a dream with me
Up a Lazy River where the robins song
Awaits a bright new morning where we can lope along
Blue sky's up above
Every one's in love
Up a Lazy River with me
Brenda Lee's "Lazy River" talks about a carefree cruise far away from all the concerns and tensions. She sings about a lazy river that runs near an old mill on a sunny afternoon. It is a peaceful and calm place where they can unwind and forget about their troubles. She welcomes us to spend time with her there, under the shade of a large oak tree, as they take a break and drift on the river. She invites us to set aside our sorrows and sense of duty and let ourselves be swept away on this lazy river's blissful current.
Brenda Lee's lyrics about the lazy river carry a sense of comfort and relaxation. She sings about the call of the robin, a symbol of new beginnings in spring, and the anticipation of a bright new morning ahead, with all sorts of possibilities. The sky is blue, and everyone's in love, so this is an ideal time for being happy and carefree. She urges listeners to join her on this river ride and experience the same light-hearted feeling.
Line by Line Meaning
Up a Lazy River by the old mill run
Let’s stroll up a lazy river that runs by an old mill
That lazy lazy river in the noon day sun
The river is so lazy in the heat of noonday sun
Linger in the shade of an old oak tree
Let’s stay and relax in the shadow of an old oak tree
Throw away your troubles dream a dream with me
Forget about your worries and dream with me
Up a Lazy River where the robins song
Let’s walk up the lazy river where the robin’s song can be heard
Awaits a bright new morning where we can lope along
The bright new morning awaits us where we can leisurely walk along
Blue sky's up above
The sky above is blue
Every one's in love
Everyone is in love
Up a Lazy River how happy we can be
Let’s walk up the lazy river where we can be very happy
Up a Lazy River with me
Walk up the lazy river with me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: HOAGY CARMICHAEL, SIDNEY ARODIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind