She was raised in Kansas City, and began her musical career around 1920, singing and playing piano in her brother George Lee's band, which for a time also included Charlie Parker. She first recorded on the Merritt label in 1927 with Jesse Stone as pianist and arranger, and launched a solo career in 1935.
In 1944 she won a recording contract with Capitol Records, and a string of R&B hits followed, including "Gotta Gimme Whatcha Got" (#3 R&B, 1946), "Snatch and Grab It" (#1 R&B for 12 weeks, 1947, selling over 500,000 copies), "King Size Papa" (#1 R&B for 9 weeks, 1948), "I Didn't Like It The First Time (The Spinach Song)" (#4 R&B, 1949), and "My Man Stands Out". As these titles suggest, she became best known for her trademark double entendre songs, or, as she once said, "the songs my mother taught me not to sing". The records were credited to Julia Lee and Her Boy Friends, her session musicians including Jay McShann, Vic Dickenson, Benny Carter, Red Norvo, Nappy Lamare, and Red Nichols.
Although her hits dried up after 1949, she continued as one of the most popular performers in Kansas City until her death from a heart attack.
I Was Wrong
Julia Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was in love with you the moment that you came into sight
I hesitate to tell that I held you in my arms oh so long
But in my mind I made you mine I was wrong
I was wrong oh my darling will this dream of mine come true
I was wrong what is your answer for you know I am true blue
Why do you wait and hesitate I've waited for you oh so long
I was wrong I dreamed that you and I were truly wed
The organ played the choir sang I know just what that preacher said
I kiss your lips and in return I felt you hold me oh so strong
New life begun for we were one I was wrong
I was wrong oh my darling will this dream of mine come true
I was wrong what is your answer for you know I am true blue
Why do you wait and hesitate I've waited for you oh so long
Hear my request and answer yes I was wrong
In "I Was Wrong," Julia Lee sings about the singer’s romantic dream that did not come true. The song is drenched in regret, as the singer looks back at their romantic life full of misunderstandings and missed opportunities. The opening lines reveal the intensity of the dream that the singer had about the object of their affection. The dream was so profound that the singer dreamed about the person all night long. However, reality was different, and the singer misunderstood their emotional connection with the person.
As the song progresses, the singer realizes that their dream about the person was just that, a dream. They mistakenly held the person in their arms when the other person had no such intention, and the singer had built up a scenario in their mind that was not grounded in reality. The singer hopes that the reality can align with the dream and seeks a response to know if their desire will ever come to fruition. However, the person they long for may not feel the same, and the singer is left asking for a response.
Overall, "I Was Wrong" is a classic blues ballad that addresses unrequited love and regret. The lyrics are simple yet powerful, capturing the essence of love and the pain that arises when reality does not meet the expectations of the dream.
Line by Line Meaning
I was wrong
I made a mistake
I dreamed about you all through the night
I had a dream about you while I was sleeping
I was in love with you the moment that you came into sight
I fell in love with you as soon as I saw you
I hesitate to tell that I held you in my arms oh so long
I'm hesitant to admit that I held you for a really long time
But in my mind I made you mine I was wrong
I imagined that you were mine, but I was mistaken
Oh my darling will this dream of mine come true
My love, I hope that my dream will come true
What is your answer for you know I am true blue
Can you tell me your answer? You know I'm loyal to you
Why do you wait and hesitate I've waited for you oh so long
Why do you take so long? I've been waiting for you for a while
Hear my request and answer yes I was wrong
Please listen to my request and say yes, I made a mistake
I dreamed that you and I were truly wed
I had a dream that we got married
The organ played the choir sang I know just what that preacher said
The organ played and the choir sang, and I remember what the preacher said
I kiss your lips and in return I felt you hold me oh so strong
I kissed you and felt you hold me tightly in return
New life begun for we were one I was wrong
A new life started because we became one, but I was mistaken
Writer(s): Michael Ryan Garner, Jamie Burns, Lewis White, Matthew Mcalister
Contributed by Nolan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.