Jackie Lee, R&B singer, real name Earl Nelson (… Read Full Bio ↴Jackie Lee may refer to:
Jackie Lee, R&B singer, real name Earl Nelson (1928 -2008)
Jackie Lee (born 1991), American country music singer-songwriter
Jackie Lee (born 1936), Irish popular music singer
Jackie Lee (born 1936), Irish popular music singer
Lee was a musical child prodigy. She won a scholarship and trained as a soprano for four years. Upon finishing her studies she became a vocalist with the top showbands playing prestigious Irish venues.
Lee experienced similar success when she moved to London and joined the popular dance band; The Squadronaires.
In 1955 her first solo record was released, followed by a further two the next year. From 1959 to 1964, Lee was a member of The Raindrops, a successful quartet who made countless appearances on British TV and variety shows, had a BBC Radio show and released a string of records, the majority of which had Lee as lead vocalist. The Raindrops also included Les Vandyke and Vince Hill in its line-up. In 1962, she entered the UK heats of the Eurovision Song Contest as a solo act with "There's No-one in the Whole Wide World" and performed it at the British national finals for BBC TV. This number was later covered and performed by The Beatles in concerts during this period.
Lee decided to become a solo artist in 1965 and recorded 'beat' records until 1967. One of these releases, "Just Like a Man", reached the NME chart. The B-side; "I Gotta Be With You", became popular on the Northern soul circuit. Lee recorded this single under the name of 'Emma Rede' for EMI.
Lee also had a parallel career as a respected session singer, through her groups The Jackie Lee Singers and Tears of Joy. She provided the backing vocals for such global number ones as "Green Green Grass of Home" by Tom Jones and "Release Me" by Engelbert Humperdinck. She demonstrated her unique vocal range, ability and versatility on such diverse recordings as "Hey Joe" by Jimi Hendrix; and much of the James Last catalogue at the time. At one point Elton John was employed by Lee, as a member of her session singers. In addition she also sang various songs for film soundtracks.Among them "Born To Lose" from the film Robbery (1967), "Love Is Now" from the Norman J. Warren film Loving Feeling (1969), and the title song to the horror film Goodbye Gemini (1970).
In 1968, as 'Jacky', she had a UK Top Ten hit single with "White Horses", the theme from a children's TV programme. In 2003, her definitive version was voted the best TV theme tune of all time by The Penguin Television Companion. Her jazz-styled album of the same name was also released in 1968, which included contributions from Dudley Moore as pianist. By 1970, 'Jacky' reverted to 'Jackie Lee' and had another hit record; "Rupert" from the TV show based on the famous cartoon character, Rupert Bear (inaccurately referred to as "Rupert the Bear" in the song's lyrics). This recording also had a place in the "Best TV themes of all time" list from The Penguin Television Companion at Number 7, thus consolidating Lee's reputation. A tie-in album, Jackie's Junior Choice, was released on Pye Records (PKL 5503) in 1971, followed by the similar, Rupert and Other Junior Favourites on Pye's budget Golden Guinea label (GSGL 10492) in 1973, which also included Jackie's recording of another children's series, Inigo Pipkin
It was shortly after this that she retired from singing, despite the short duration of her career, due to vocal complications and throat problems. Nonetheless, her singing continues to be held in high regard. It has been said that her work has "firmly embedded itself in the subconscious of a generation".
A CD entitled End of a Rainbow – A Pye Anthology was released in 2007.[8] It comprising all of Lee's later recordings, made for Pye Records between 1969 and 1973. A second CD, The Town I Live In (2009) collects all of her 1966/1967 recordings for EMI.[9] Lee is now retired and resides in Canada. Her husband, Liam Hopkins, died in 2018.
Jackie Lee, R&B singer, real name Earl Nelson (1928 -2008)
Earl Nelson (born Earl Lee Nelson, 8 September 1928, Lake Charles, Louisiana – 12 July 2008, Los Angeles) was an American soul singer, part of Bob & Earl an American soul music singing duo in the 1960s, best known for writing and recording the original version of "Harlem Shuffle". Nelson also achieved success as a solo artist under the alias of Jackie Lee, with "The Duck", a hit dance record released in 1965, which reached #14 in the U.S. (Jackie was Nelson's wife's name and Lee his own middle name).
Jackie Lee (born 1991), American country music singer-songwriter
Jackie Lee (born 1991) is an American country music singer-songwriter.
When confronted with the crucible of tragedy, some will melt down and others emerge stronger than ever. The latter was the case for promising young artist Jackie Lee.
Following the heartbreaking death of his mother in June 2016, the 25-year-old vocal powerhouse has undergone a complete transformation – personally and musically – rededicating himself to a whole new attitude and poised for a breakthrough with the romantically-charged single, “Getting Over You.”“
After six years in Nashville, I had yet to look in the mirror and recognize the artist,” he admits of his early music. “I finally feel like I had that moment when I recorded ‘Getting Over You.’”
Featuring an ultra-modern, electronic sound with propulsive drums and wounded vocals so hot they might spontaneously combust, Lee was determined to leave his fingerprints all over the new track, even if that meant breaking way from his earlier sound.
Growing up in a loving home in Maryville, Tennessee – a picturesque town nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains – Lee cut his teeth singing faithful tunes in a church hopping three-piece band, but his unique brand of forward-thinking country was always bubbling under the surface, just waiting to be unleashed.
“Until my dad met my mom in ‘89, he had never listened to any other type of music than country,” Lee explains. “No radio stations, he never bought a record, nothing. But my mom was a straight ‘80s pop girl, and because he loved her he started listening to artists like Michael Jackson, Phil Collins and Michael Bolton, and I feel like that’s where my fusion lands.”
Upon first arriving in Nashville, that fusion was too far outside the box to contemplate. But forced to stare the biggest of all big pictures in the face, Lee decided it was his duty to try – if not for him, then for his mom.
“There is just something about a mom that is unlike anything in this entire world,” he says, steeling his reserve against a still-broken heart. “A lot of perspective came on June 4 this year that I have never experienced before and never wanted to experience. And there are so many things in my career now that I look at and think ‘None of this is worth it if I’m not being myself.’”
With a renewed sense of purpose, “Getting Over You” is a high-definition look at who Lee really is, lyrically and sonically. Co-written with hit makers Brent Anderson and Paul DiGiovanni, it shows Lee’s hard-wired connection to matters of the heart – and also reveals the genesis of his ambitious new sound.
While influenced by classic country singers like Faron Young and Keith Whitley, one of Jackie’s favorite bands as a kid was the platinum selling pop-rock group Boys Like Girls – a band which happens to feature DiGiovanni as its founding guitarist. The unlikely friends met randomly during a Nashville songwriting session, inspiring Lee to ask DiGiovanni to produce his new music, and take it in the direction he helped create with Boys Like Girls – energetic, emotional and above all, fresh.
More songs followed, like the turned on and turned up “All Night,” the proudly personal “Made in Tennessee” and “Leave the Light On,” an older tune full of lusty vocals and swaying melodies that now feels completely re-invigorated.
So much has changed for Lee since his debut in 2014 – new producer, new sound, new songs – but the biggest shift is his new outlook on life. For the first time his vision is crystal clear, the road is open and his destination is within sight. It was a journey that tested his strength to the breaking point, but ultimately led to a question that now drives everything he does – “Do I feel this in my heart?”
“Everything is different,” says Lee. “What I write about is not so safe and conservative, we’re going for it now. And if I feel it here in my chest, I’m gonna write it."
“One of the last things my mom heard was ‘Getting Over You,’” he continues, pausing ever-so briefly to as the memory comes back. “She loved it. She was like, ‘It sounds like you’re doing what you love to do,’ so it’s got her seal of approval.”
Land Of 1000 Dances
Jackie Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One, two, three!
You gotta know how to pony like Bony Maronie
Mashed Potato, do the Alligator
Put your hands on your hips, let your back-bone slip
Do the Watusi, like my little Lucy
Na, na na na na, na na na na, na na na, na na na, na na na na.
Need somebody to help me say it one time
You know I feel alright.
Feel pretty good y'all.
Na, na na na na, na na na na, na na na, na na na, na na na na.
Need somebody to help me say it one time
Na, na na na na, na na na na, na na na, na na na, na na na na.
Dance with me honey, like Long Tall Sally
Twistin' with Lucy, doin the Watusi
Gotta hold of your back, I like it like that
Do the Jerk, watch me work
Ah, do it!
"Land of 1000 Dances" by Jackie Lee is a song that encourages people to dance and let loose. The lyrics are about different popular dance moves of the time like the pony, mashed potato, alligator, and Watusi. Jackie Lee's singing is energetic and enthusiastic, and the repetition of "na na na na na" is infectious, urging listeners to join in and dance along. This song was released in the early 1960s, during the height of the civil rights movement in the United States. The song's catchy rhythm and message of unity through music likely resonated with many people during this turbulent time. The line "you know I feel alright" could also be interpreted as a statement of hope and defiance in the face of adversity.
One of the interesting things about "Land of 1000 Dances" is that it has been covered by many different artists over the years, including Wilson Pickett, Cannibal & the Headhunters, and Patti Smith. The song has also been used in several films and TV shows, such as Forrest Gump, Malcolm in the Middle, and The Simpsons. Another interesting fact is that the song's famous "na na na na na" chorus was actually a placeholder. Chris Kenner, the original songwriter, reportedly didn't know what to put there and just hummed the melody. This was a fortunate accident, as the repetition of "na na na" has become one of the most memorable parts of the song.
Overall, "Land of 1000 Dances" is a fun and infectious song that encourages people to dance and enjoy themselves. Its energetic rhythm and catchy chorus have made it a timeless classic that continues to be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Chords: G7, C8, D9, E10 (note: there are many variations on this chord progression depending on the key and version of the song)
Line by Line Meaning
One, two, three!
Get ready, it's time to start dancing.
You gotta know how to pony like Bony Maronie
To be a good dancer, you need to know how to move like Bony Maronie does in the Pony dance.
Mashed Potato, do the Alligator
Next, do the Mashed Potato dance and then switch it up with the Alligator.
Put your hands on your hips, let your back-bone slip
To dance well, loosen up your body and allow your back-bone to move with ease.
Do the Watusi, like my little Lucy
Move your body like Lucy does in the Watusi dance, which has African roots.
Na, na na na na, na na na na, na na na, na na na, na na na na.
A nod to the song's catchy chorus that doesn't require words to take part in the dance.
Need somebody to help me say it one time
Asking for a little help in getting the song started so the dancing can begin.
You know I feel alright.
The joy of the dancing is evident - it feels great!
Dance with me honey, like Long Tall Sally
Long Tall Sally is used as an example of someone who dances well. Dance with the same energy and enthusiasm as her.
Twistin' with Lucy, doin the Watusi
Get into the groove by joining Lucy with some Twist movement followed by more Watusi moves.
Gotta hold of your back, I like it like that
When back-to-back, move towards each other and then press backs together to sway intwined for a beat or two.
Do the Jerk, watch me work
End on a high energy note with moves like the Jerk, where the body quickly contracts and releases with each beat.
Ah, do it!
Finish off with encouragement to keep dancing with enthusiastic energy.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Christopher Kenner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind