Born Revoyda Friederson in Hope, Arkansas, Lester began her singing career after studying music at San Francisco State College and performing in the city's Purple Onion club in the early 1950s. Later she would join Cab Calloway's orchestra on a European tour. After a brief sting in an off-Broadway production entitled Cabin in the Sky she was signed to Era Records which relased the single Love Letters in 1962. The song would become a Top 5 seller in both the United Kingdom and the United States and reach Number #2 on the R&B Charts.
Lester would later establish herself as a television actress in the 1970s and 1980s. She would play the roles of 'Helen Grant' on the soap opera Days of Our Lives from 1975 to 1977 and 'Hester-Sue Terhune' on the NBC television series Little House on the Prairie.
Love Letters
Ketty Lester Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keep us so near while apart
I'm not alone in the night
When I can have all the love you write
I memorize every line
And I kiss the name that you sign
And, darling, then I read again right from the start
I memorize every line
And I kiss the name that you sign
And, darlin', then I read again right from the start
Love letters straight from your heart
Ketty Lester's Love Letters is a classic love song about maintaining a romantic connection through heartfelt correspondence. The opening lines urge the lover to write "love letters straight from your heart" - sincere and emotional letters that can serve as a reminder of the relationship and keep the partners "so near while apart". The song speaks to the power of words to transcend distance and loneliness, to provide comfort and companionship even when physically separated.
The lyrics also suggest that the letters themselves become treasured objects, with the singer stating that she "memorize[s] every line" and "kis[ses] the name that you sign". This is a poignant reminder of the way that personal objects can take on special significance when imbued with sentimental value, serving as a tangible link to the people we love.
Overall, Love Letters is a song that celebrates the sustaining power of communication, and the ways in which we can reach out to connect with our loved ones even in the absence of physical proximity.
Line by Line Meaning
Love letters straight from your heart
The love letters sent directly from your heart deeply connect us even when we're apart
Keep us so near while apart
These love letters keep us close even though we are physically separated
I'm not alone in the night
The love expressed through these letters helps me not to feel lonely in the darkness of night
When I can have all the love you write
I can experience all the love and affection written in the letters
I memorize every line
I carefully commit each written sentence to memory
And I kiss the name that you sign
I tenderly kiss the name you sign at the end of the letters
And, darling, then I read again right from the start
I repeatedly read and relive the memories and expressions of love shared within the letters
Love letters straight from your heart
The sentiment expressed in these letters is pure and true, straight from your heart
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Victor Young, Edward Heyman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
david letterman
Love letters straight from your heart
Keep us so near while apart
I'm not alone in the night
When I can have all the love you write
I memorize every line
And I kiss the name that you sign
And, darling, then I read again right from the start
Love letters straight from your heart
I memorize every line
And I kiss the name that you sign
And, darlin', then I read again right from the start
Love letters straight from your heart
Songwriters: Wayne Hector / Peter Lord / Peter Moreland / Vernon Smith / V Jeffrey Smith / Alistair Tennant
Colin DUFF
Simply one of the greatest vocal performances of all-time. The arrangement is sparse, yet magical. An absolute classic.
KENNY C
Sometimes a little goes a long way.
Sean Murphy
CANT TOUCH THIS ❤
Ray Valencia
Agreed.
Roman
Oh yeah man, it's magical!
Roger Baker
Yes, well said, sparse, yet magical. Perfect. This song is so haunting and so beautiful, it sends chills up and down my spind.
Pink Steel Lotus
No butt clapping or vulgar language. Simple, sultry and silky. Ms. Lester was gifted with a beautiful voice.
Mark Kofi
Butt clapping. 😂😂😂
I don't think that was very popular back in those days. 😂😂😂
FC Schaeffer
Just watched Blue Velvet again for the first time in a long time, and reminded me that this absolute classic tune exists. Kitty Lester was such an awesome talent.
Edge Fan
That song is a truly masterpiece for eternity