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.
When I Fall In Love
Brenda Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It will be forever
Or I'll never fall in love
In a restless world like this is
Love is ended before it's begun
And too many moonlight kisses
Seem to cool in the warmth of the sun
When I give my heart
Or I'll never give my heart
And the moment I can feel
That you feel that way too
Is when I fall in love with you
When I give my heart
It will be completely
Or I'll never I'll never give my heart
And the moment I can feel
That you feel that way too
Is when I fall in love with you
Brenda Lee's song "When I Fall in Love" talks about unconditional love and the fear that comes with falling in love. The lyrics explain that when the singer falls in love, it will be forever or never at all. The world is restless and relationships don't last, which causes the singer to be careful with who they give their heart to. They want to make sure that the person they fall in love with feels the same way before they commit to them.
The lines "too many moonlight kisses seem to cool in the warmth of the sun" speak to the transitory nature of love. In the moment, everything feels perfect, but once reality sets in and the passion fades, the relationship often crumbles. The singer doesn't want this to happen to them and is looking for a love that lasts even after the passion fades.
The song also highlights the importance of trust in a relationship. The singer wants to give their heart completely, but only if the other person feels the same way. The moment they can feel that the other person feels that way too, they will fall in love. It's not enough to just love someone, they also have to trust that their love is reciprocated.
Overall, the song is a beautiful testament to the power and fragility of love. It speaks to the fears and hopes that come with opening oneself up to another person and the desire for a love that lasts a lifetime.
Line by Line Meaning
When I fall in love
I am waiting for a love that will last forever.
It will be forever
The love I seek will be one that lasts eternally.
Or I'll never fall in love
If I don't find true, forever love, I won't settle for anything less.
In a restless world like this is
The world can be chaotic and unsettled, making it hard to find lasting love.
Love is ended before it's begun
Many relationships fail before they even really start.
And too many moonlight kisses
Romantic moments can be fleeting and not lead to true love.
Seem to cool in the warmth of the sun
Those fleeting moments can quickly disappear in the light of reality.
When I give my heart
When I finally let myself fall in love.
It will be completely
I will give all of myself to that person and the relationship.
Or I'll never give my heart
If I can't give my entire heart and soul, I won't give anything at all.
And the moment I can feel
Once I sense that you reciprocate my feelings.
That you feel that way too
That you too are ready to give all of yourself to me and the relationship.
Is when I fall in love with you
Only then will I be able to truly fall in love with you.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edward Heyman, Victor Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind