Like Elvis Presley, he was raised singing the Christian gospel music of integrated southern Pentecostal churches. In 1950 he attended Southwestern Bible Institute in Texas but was expelled for misconduct, including playing rock and roll versions of hymns in church. Pearry Green (then president of the student body) related how during a talent show Jerry played some worldly music. The next morning the Dean of the school called both Jerry and Pearry into his office to expel them both. Jerry then said that Pearry shouldn't be expelled because "he didn't know what I was going to do." Years later Pearry asked Jerry: "Are you still playing the devil's music?" Jerry replied, "Yes, I am. But you know it's strange, the same music that they kicked me out of school for is the same kind of music they play in their churches today. The difference is, I know I am playing for the devil and they don't."
Leaving religious music behind, he became a part of the burgeoning new rock and roll sound, cutting his first record in 1954. Two years later, at Sun Records studio in Memphis, Tennessee, producer and engineer Jack Clement discovered and recorded Lewis for the Sun label, while owner Sam Phillips was away on a trip to Florida. As a result, Lewis joined Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash as stars who began their recording careers at Sun Studios around this same time.
Lewis' first recording at Sun studios was his own distinct version of the country ballad Crazy Arms. In 1957, his piano and the pure rock and roll sound of Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On propelled him to international fame. Great Balls of Fire soon followed, and would become his biggest hit. Watching and listening to Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis said if he could play the piano like that, he'd quit singing. Lewis' early billing was Jerry Lee Lewis and his Pumping Piano.
Lewis was a pioneer of piano rock, not only through his sound by also through his dynamic performance. He would often kick the piano bench out of the way to play standing, rake his hands up and down the keyboard for dramatic accent, and even sit down on it. His frenetic performance style can be seen in films such as High School Confidential (he sang the title song from the back of a flatbed truck), and Jamboree. These performance techniques have been adopted by recent piano rock artists, notably admirer Elton John.
Breathless
Jerry Lee Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let's please don't tease
If I can hold you then
Let me squeeze
My heart goes 'round and 'round
My love comes tumblin' down
You leave me breathless
You know why
I'm sure it's love and
That's no lie
'Cause when you call my name
You know I burn like wood inflamed
You leave me breathless
Oh, baby, mm crazy
You're much too much
Honey, I can't love you enough
It's all right to hold me tight
But when you love me
Love me right
Oh, come on, baby
Don't be shy
'Cause love was meant for you and I
Wind, rain, sleet or snow
I'm gonna be wherever you go
You have left me breathless
Well, it's all right to hold me tight
But when you love me
Love me right
Oh, come on, baby
Don't be shy
Love was meant for you and I
Wind, rain, sleet or snow
I'm going to be wherever you go
You leave me breathless
The lyrics of Jerry Lee Lewis's song "Breathless" are all about love and desire. The singer urges his lover to stop teasing him and allow him to hold her and squeeze her. He is completely overwhelmed by her, and his heart goes round and round, with his love tumbling down. When he is with her, he is left breathless, shaking all over, and burning like wood inflamed. This passion is not a lie but true love, and he cannot get enough of her. He believes that love was meant for them, no matter what happens - wind, rain, sleet or snow - he will always follow her, and wherever she goes, he'll be there.
The song's lyrics show a man completely consumed by his love for the woman he's singing about. Jerry Lee Lewis's use of repetition in the lyrics - phrases like "love me right" and "you leave me breathless" - reinforces the idea that the feelings he has for her are intense and all-encompassing. He's hopeful that their love will last through any circumstances, and he's willing to follow her wherever she goes. The energy and passion in the song are mirrored by the fast-paced piano work, giving the impression that he is leaving it all out on the field.
Line by Line Meaning
Now, if you love me
If you truly love me, please don't tease me by playing games.
Let's please don't tease
Let's not play games with each other and be honest about our feelings.
If I can hold you then
If I have the opportunity to hold you close to me,
Let me squeeze
I want to show you just how much I care by holding you tightly.
My heart goes 'round and 'round
My heart beats rapidly and passionately whenever I think of you.
My love comes tumblin' down
My love for you overwhelms me and makes me feel vulnerable.
You leave me breathless
You make me feel so intense that I am left breathless in your presence.
Well, I shake all over and
Whenever I'm around you and your affection, I feel an intense physical reaction
You know why
It's clear to both you and I why I am shaking all over.
I'm sure it's love and
I am convinced that the reason for my physical reaction and the intensity of my feelings is because I am truly in love with you.
That's no lie
I am being truthful and honest about my emotions.
'Cause when you call my name
When you call out to me, it stirs something deep within me.
You know I burn like wood inflamed
I feel a strong and uncontrollable desire when I hear your voice or see you.
Oh, baby, mm crazy
My love for you makes me feel so passionate that I seem crazy.
You're much too much
You are so intense in every way that I feel overwhelmed by my love for you.
Honey, I can't love you enough
I love you so much that it feels impossible to express the full extent of my emotions towards you.
It's all right to hold me tight
I feel safe and secure in your embrace.
But when you love me
But when you show me love,
Love me right
Make sure you show genuine affection towards me.
Oh, come on, baby
I want to encourage you to be confident and express your love freely towards me.
Don't be shy
Don't hold back or worry about what others may think, let our love be genuine.
'Cause love was meant for you and I
Our love is truly meant to be and we should never let anything stand in our way.
Wind, rain, sleet or snow
No matter what obstacles or challenges we may face,
I'm gonna be wherever you go
I will always be by your side and have your back.
You have left me breathless
You have such an effect on me that leaves me speechless and in awe of your love.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Otis Blackwell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind