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.
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Brenda Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
It doesn't show signs of stopping
And I've bought some corn for popping
The lights are turned way down low
When we finally kiss goodnight
How I'll hate going out in the storm!
But if you'll really hold me tight
All the way home I'll be warm
The fire is slowly dying
And, my dear, we're still goodbying
But as long as you love me so
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
The lyrics for Brenda Lee's famous Christmas tune titled Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! perfectly captures the festive spirit and the joy of winter. The song begins with the singer remarking on the frightful weather outside. Despite this, the fire is burning brightly and warmly, creating a cozy atmosphere indoors. Since there are no plans to go out, the singer suggests they make the most out of the bad weather by letting it snow.
Without any signs of stopping, the singer has bought some corn for popping while the light is intentionally turned down low to create a romantic ambiance. The atmosphere sets the mood for a kiss goodnight. Although going outside in the storm is not the most enjoyable activity, if the singer's partner holds them tight, everything will be okay as they walk back home, feeling warm and loved.
The fire eventually dies slowly, quietly suggesting the end of the night. There is a sense of melancholy as the two are still saying their goodbyes. However, at this moment, as long as the singer's loved one continues loving them, they can stay and enjoy the night's snowfall. The lyrics of Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! expresses the joys and highlights of winter during a festive season, creating a cozy and romantic atmosphere indoors.
Facts about Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!:
Line by Line Meaning
Oh the weather outside is frightful
The weather outside is very bad, causing fear or discomfort
But the fire is so delightful
In contrast, the warmth of the fire is very pleasant
And since we've no place to go
We have nowhere to go because of the weather
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
Despite the bad weather and lack of plans, it's better to embrace the snow and enjoy it
It doesn't show signs of stopping
The snow is still continuing to fall and it doesn't seem like it will stop anytime soon
And I've bought some corn for popping
The singer has prepared some food to enjoy during the snowstorm
The lights are turned way down low
The ambiance is set for a cozy and intimate setting with the dimmed lights
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
Despite the snowstorm, the artist is still enjoying it and wants it to continue
When we finally kiss goodnight
At the end of the night, when the artist and their partner say goodnight
How I'll hate going out in the storm!
The artist dreads going out into the storm after having a good time indoors
But if you'll really hold me tight
If their partner holds them tightly, it will make facing the storm more bearable
All the way home I'll be warm
The artist will feel warm and comforted as long as their partner is with them
The fire is slowly dying
The fire, which had provided warmth and comfort, is starting to burn out
And, my dear, we're still goodbying
The night is coming to an end and the singer and their partner are saying goodbye
But as long as you love me so
As long as their partner loves them, the singer will still feel warm and comforted even in the cold snow
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
The artist still wants the snow to continue, even as the night comes to a close
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind