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.
New Orleans
Brenda Lee Lyrics
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I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I'm gonna need two pair of shoes
When I git tho' walkin' me blue
When I get back to New Orleans
I've got my suitcase in my hand
Now ain't that a shame
I'm leavin' here today
Yes, I'm walkin to New Orleans
You used to be my honey
Till you spent all my money
No use for you to cry
I'll see you by and by
'Cause I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I've got no time for talkin'
I've go to keep a walkin'
New Orleans is my home
That's the reason that I'm goin'
Yes, I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I'm walkin' to New Orleans
The song "Walking to New Orleans" by Brenda Lee talks about homecoming, especially to New Orleans. The singer has decided to walk back home to New Orleans, leaving everything behind, and surrendering their worries of what will happen during the journey over to fate. The singer tells the listener that they "gotta keep walking" and that "New Orleans is my home, that's the reason that I'm going." At the same time, the words also suggest that the singer is leaving the past behind and ready to move forward. The lyrics show the singer's determination and persistence to reach home, no matter what.
The phrase, "I'm gonna need two pair of shoes" implies that the singer will keep walking for a long time as it takes a lot of time to wear out two pairs of shoes. The chorus "I'm walking to New Orleans" is repeated for emphasis, reflecting the singer's motivation and desire to reach the city. The line "You used to be my honey till you spent all my money" implies that the singer has been betrayed by their significant other, and that their love has been reduced to nothing.
Interestingly, Brenda Lee’s song was inspired by and is a kind of cover of Fats Domino’s hit, however, producers who weren’t happy with the Domino sessions gave the song to Brenda Lee to record. Moreover, “Walking to New Orleans” was written by the songwriting team of Bobby Charles and Dave Bartholomew, who were also responsible for many Fats Domino classics. Responding to the initial recording of the song, Fats Domino said, “Brenda Lee hit with it, and she did a real good job. Her producer did a great job with it.” Furthermore, "Walking to New Orleans" became a top-ten hit in both the United States and the United Kingdom, selling over one million copies.
Additionally, The track features well-recognized 1950s and 60s New Orleans rock and roll music. In 2001, it was approved for the city of New Orleans's signature song, as part of a project by the Louisiana Music Commission. Moreover, Johnny Cash made a cover of the song for his 1985 album “Rhythm and Romance.” “Walking to New Orleans” was used in the 2011 soundtrack of “Treme,” HBO’s series set in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and in the 2008 comedy-drama film "Management" where it plays during the credits.
The chords for "Walking to New Orleans" are G, C, D7, Em, A7, Am7, and D.
Line by Line Meaning
This time I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I am going to New Orleans by foot this time.
I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I am traveling to New Orleans on foot.
I'm gonna need two pair of shoes
Walking to New Orleans is going to be quite tiresome, and I will wear out my shoes quickly.
When I git tho' walkin' me blue
I will become saddened by the journey as I walk to New Orleans.
When I get back to New Orleans
When I reach New Orleans.
I've got my suitcase in my hand
I am carrying my suitcase with me as I walk to New Orleans.
Now ain't that a shame
It is unfortunate that I have to leave my current location.
I'm leavin' here today
I am departing from here today.
Yes, I'm goin' back home to stay
I am returning back to my hometown of New Orleans for a permanent stay.
Yes, I'm walkin to New Orleans
I am walking to New Orleans.
You used to be my honey
You used to be my lover.
Till you spent all my money
However, you spent all my money and caused me to leave town.
No use for you to cry
It is pointless for you to cry because I am not coming back, and I do not have any more money.
I'll see you by and by
I may see you again someday but not anytime soon.
'Cause I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I am walking to New Orleans, and I do not care to discuss my relationship woes.
I've got no time for talkin'
I do not have any time for idle chit-chat during my journey to New Orleans.
I've go to keep a walkin'
I need to keep walking to reach my destination in New Orleans.
New Orleans is my home
New Orleans is my hometown, and I have a strong connection to this place.
That's the reason that I'm goin'
This strong connection is driving me to go back to New Orleans.
Yes, I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I am walking to my beloved hometown of New Orleans.
I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I am traveling by foot to New Orleans.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Antoine Domino, Dave Bartholomew, Robert Charles Guidry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind