Brenda Mae Tarpley (born December 11, 1944), known professionally as Brenda… Read Full Bio ↴Brenda Mae Tarpley (born December 11, 1944), known professionally as Brenda Lee is an American country-pop singer who was popular during the 1950s and 1960s. She was given the nickname Little Miss Dynamite after recording Dynamite in 1957, and in the 1960s she had more charted hits than any other woman. Her father was an excellent left-handed pitcher in the Army, and her mother had a Cherokee great-grandparent. She first attracted attention performing in country music venues and her first single, 1957’s “One Step at a Time,” was a country hit.

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.

Thanks a Lot
Brenda Lee Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Thanks thanks a lot
I got a broken heart, that's all I've got
You made me cry, I cried a lot
Oh I lost your love, hm hm baby thanks a lot
You told my friends, as I was passing by
That you're not sorry, that you made me cry
You said I deserved, aah just what I got
Well if that's how you feel, aah honey thanks a lot

Thanks thanks thanks thanks a lot
I've got a broken heart
That's all I've got, you're made me cry
Lord I cried a lot, I lost your love
Honey baby thanks a lot

You wanted a fool, aah and I played the part
Now all I've got is a broken heart
We loved a little, aah we loved a lot
And you are gone gone gone
Honey thanks a lot, yeah I say
Thanks thanks thanks, ah thanks a lot
I got a broken heart
That's all I've got, you made me cry
Yes I cried a lot
And now you're gone gone gone
Baby thanks a lot
Thanks thanks thanks
Thanks a lot

Thanks you thank you thank you
Thanks a lot

Overall Meaning

The song "Thanks a Lot" by Brenda Lee is a bittersweet breakup song that tells the story of a woman with a broken heart thanking her ex-lover for leaving her. The lyrics convey a feeling of sadness and frustration as the singer reflects on the end of her relationship. The chorus repeats the phrase "thanks, thanks a lot" in a seemingly sarcastic tone, conveying a sense of bitterness and regret. The lyrics also reflect on the journey of the singer as she tries to come to terms with her feelings.

The verses tell more of the story, with the singer explaining how her ex-lover made her cry and left her with a broken heart, but at the same time acknowledges that she played a role in the breakup. The lines "you wanted a fool, and I played the part" show that she allowed herself to be taken for granted and didn't stand up for herself. As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer is not just saying "thanks, thanks a lot" sarcastically but is actually expressing gratitude for the experience, for having loved, and for having learned from the relationship.

In conclusion, "Thanks a Lot" is a poignant breakup song that expresses a complicated set of emotions. It is both bitter and grateful, angry and accepting, sad and optimistic. It reflects on the journey of the singer as she comes to grips with her broken heart, but ultimately finds a way to move forward and embrace life's experiences.

Line by Line Meaning

Thanks thanks a lot
Expressing sarcastic gratitude towards the person who left, indicating that they are not actually thanking them.

I got a broken heart, that's all I've got
The only thing left after the breakup is emotional pain and heartache.

You made me cry, I cried a lot
Acknowledging the other person's role in causing emotional distress and tears.

Oh I lost your love, hm hm baby thanks a lot
Sarcastically thanking the person for leaving and taking their love away, which caused the pain and heartache.

You told my friends, as I was passing by
Bringing attention to the other person's hurtful behavior by revealing that they spread gossip behind the artist's back.

That you're not sorry, that you made me cry
Admitting that the person has shown no remorse for causing the singer's pain, only reinforcing their hurtful actions.

You said I deserved, aah just what I got
Recalling the other person's words, implying that they believe the singer deserved to be hurt and heartbroken.

Well if that's how you feel, aah honey thanks a lot
An ironic response to the other person's harsh words, highlighting the insensitivity and cruelty of their perspective.

I've got a broken heart
Repeating the central theme and emotional state caused by the breakup.

You wanted a fool, aah and I played the part
Admitting that the artist played a role in the unhealthy dynamic, allowing themselves to be taken advantage of and mistreated.

Now all I've got is a broken heart
Reinforcing that the only thing left after the relationship is pain and suffering.

We loved a little, aah we loved a lot
Reminiscing about the past relationship and the moments of love and happiness shared.

And you are gone gone gone
Acknowledging the permanent loss of the other person and the end of the relationship.

Honey thanks a lot, yeah I say
Repeating the sarcastic sentiment expressed towards the other person for causing so much pain and heartache.

Thanks you thank you thank you
Sarcastic repetition of thanks, underscoring the bitterness and irony of the song's lyrics.

Thanks a lot
Ending the song on the same sarcastic note on which it began.

Lyrics © GARNETA JOHNSTON D/B/A NETA JOHNSTON MUSIC , Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARLIE RICH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Bill Melton

14y

I love Brenda SO much, and this is one of my favorites of hers. What a talent! Thanks for posting.

Mostly Brenda

12y↑1

Brenda's great R&R take of the Ernest Tubb country hit. Somehow, it's been overlooked. Not one, but two recent compilations have missed it. Neither Ace records "Queen Of Rock 'N' Roll" (2009) or The Bear Family's "Brenda Lee Rocks" (2011) included it. So, we still don't have a re-mastered version available.

randance1

14y

Like you said, "Poly", one of my favorites of hers! This tune is so obscure, but why? So fast, so energetic-dance it up! And big thanks to the poster!

Bill Bright

Thanks a lot Bren, what taste, style!💗

George V

10y↑2

"Thanks A Lot – The Crying Game - Decca 31728 – On the top side Brenda starts the new year off with a powerful commercial belter, destined for fast chart action. Flip side she offers a sensitive reading of a strong heart-breaker ballad, also a hot sales contender." (Billboard, Jan. 2, 1965, p. 14)

Charles Ordone

You can thank her great manager Owen Bradley. He coached some of the best lady singers of that era. He really had Brenda ROCKIN on this classic. It just makes your spirit soar and puts you on a higher level. Togather they make a lethal combination.