At the age of two, Teresa was brought by her mother to audition for a radio program, "Uncle August's Kiddie Show" on Toledo's WSPD. She performed for cookies and cupcakes donated by the sponsor. Although she never took singing lessons, she took lessons to tap dance. From age five to twelve, she toured with the "Major Bowes Amateur Hour," then a popular radio show, both singing and dancing. She travelled with her aunt Mary until she married in 1949 and was devoted to the aunt, who lived with her until 1993, when Teresa's aunt Mary died.
At the age of 12, Teresa was brought back to Toledo, ceasing touring to have a normal school life. She did, however, continue to perform on local radio.
In January 1948 the sixteen-year-old Teresa won a local competition and (with three other winners) was sent to New York to appear on a talent show called "Stairway to the Stars," featuring Eddie Dowling. It was about that time that she changed the spelling of her name, as she won a number of talent shows and played night clubs in New York (including the famous Latin Quarter).
An agent, Richie Lisella, heard her sing and took her career in hand, and soon she was signed to a contract with London Records. In 1949 she recorded a record called "Copenhagen" with the Dixieland All-Stars. The B side was a song called "Music! Music! Music!" by Stephen Weiss and Bernie Baum. It turned out that this side was the one that took off, selling over a million copies, and became Teresa's signature song.
Another novelty song, "Choo'n Gum," hit the top 20 in 1950, followed by "Molasses, Molasses." Although she preferred to sing ballads, the only one of those that made the charts was "Longing for You" in 1951.
In 1951 she switched labels, going to Coral Records. By this time she was married with a daughter. Since she never learned to read music, she had a demo sent to her to learn the tunes of her songs. Even so, she had a number of hits for Coral, though one of her recordings, "Gonna Get Along Without You Now," (1952) was better known in a 1956 version by Patience and Prudence and was also a hit in 1964 for Skeeter Davis as well as Tracey Dey. Also that year she recorded "You'll Never Get Away" in a duet with Don Cornell, and in 1953 came her best selling hit, "Till I Waltz Again with You."
More 1953 hits were "Dancin' with Someone," "Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall," and another gold record, "Ricochet." In later years she followed with "Baby, Baby, Baby," "Bell Bottom Blues," "Our Heartbreaking Waltz" (written by Sidney Prosen, who had written "Till I Waltz Again With You"), and "Skinnie Minnie." During those years she continued to play the big night clubs in New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, and elsewhere.
In the mid-50s, she did a number of covers of rhythm and blues songs like "Pledging My Love," "Tweedle Dee," and "Rock Love." She also covered some country songs like "Jilted," "I Gotta Go Get My Baby," and "Let Me Go, Lover!," (better known by Joan Weber).
In 1956 she had a two-sided hit with "A Tear Fell" and "Bo Weevil," covers of R&B songs. This was followed by "Sweet Old-Fashioned Girl." Also that year she co-wrote "I Love Mickey," about New York Yankees center fielder Mickey Mantle, who appeared on the record with Teresa. Another big hit for Teresa in 1956 was "Mutual Admiration Society."
Though she is often dismissed as another pop singer, most of her songs have a decidedly pre-rock beat to them, especially "Ricochet", "Jilted" and "A Sweet Old Fashioned Girl".
In 1957 she made more covers: of country song "Teardrops in My Heart" and R&B songs "You Send Me" and "Empty Arms.". The last chart hit of hers was "Milord" in 1961, an English language version of a song by Édith Piaf.
In 1962 she switched labels again, to Philips Records, and subsequently made a few recordings for other companies, but no more big chart hits.
In the 1970s, she recorded for Flying Dutchman Records' Amsterdam label owned by her husband Bob Thiele.
All together, she recorded nearly 600 song titles. For her contribution to the recording industry, Teresa Brewer has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Brewer died on October 17, 2007 in New Rochelle, New York.
Bo Weevil
Teresa Brewer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Guitar plinking and we started singing 'til the break of dawn
About twelve o'clock ev'rything gets hot, up steps old Jones
We started clappin' and he started singin' a sweet little country song
Bo Weevil, Bo Weevil, where've you been all day
Your momma's been lookin', hasn't stopped lookin' since you went away
Bo Weevil, Bo Weevil, where did you go and stay
The lyrics of Teresa Brewer's song Bo Weevil describe a lively Saturday night spent on a farm in the American South. The singer and her friends are gathered together, playing guitar and singing songs until the early hours of the morning. But as the night goes on, things start to heat up, and a man named Jones steps forward to sing a sweet little country song. The lyrics then shift to focus on a character called Bo Weevil, who has been gone all day and whose mother has been searching for him ever since he left. The repeated refrain of "Bo Weevil, Bo Weevil, where've you been all day" creates a sense of urgency and anticipation, as the listener wonders where Bo Weevil has gone and what trouble he might be in.
Line by Line Meaning
On Saturday night, where I was born, down on the farm
I am reminiscing about my childhood on the farm and all the fun we used to have on Saturday nights.
Guitar plinking and we started singing 'til the break of dawn
We would play music and sing all night long until the sun came up.
About twelve o'clock ev'rything gets hot, up steps old Jones
As the night wears on, things start to heat up, and Mr. Jones joins in on the fun.
We started clappin' and he started singin' a sweet little country song
We all started clapping along as Mr. Jones sang a lovely country song.
Bo Weevil, Bo Weevil, where've you been all day
This is the catchy chorus of the song, asking the Bo Weevil where he has been all day.
Your momma's been lookin', hasn't stopped lookin' since you went away
The Bo Weevil's mother has been searching for him all day and still hasn't found him.
Bo Weevil, Bo Weevil, where did you go and stay
This line is a repeat of the first line of the chorus, asking the Bo Weevil where he disappeared to.
Your momma's been lookin', hasn't stopped lookin' since you went away
Another repeat of the second line of the chorus, emphasizing how worried the Bo Weevil's mother is about him.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVE BARTHOLOMEW, ANTOINE DOMINO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ernie De Vera
Once you hear the voice, you know it’s Teresa. Won’t mistake for anyone else’s. There will never be another one like her.
mkl62
This hit by Teresa Brewer hit #17 on the Top 40 charts and finished at #99 for the year, 1956. On July 9, 1955, Bill Haley and His Comets hit #1 with Rock Around the Clock, signifying the start of the Rock Era. In 1956, a black haired boy from Tupelo, Mississippi hit #1 with Heartbreak Hotel. His name was Elvis Presley and he shot this new sound into the stratosphere.
ed barker
Absolutely fabulous voice
Carol Ward
I listened to this many times in my childhood. Also, A Tear Fell. Thank you for posting.
Jerry Young
Carol Wa
Maria Estrellita Gonzales-Meyer
With this, A Tear Fell & other songs of her (also of Brenda Lee, Connie Francis, Edna Savage, Sue Thompson, etc.) made me won in different amateur singing contest in my childhood. For 5 decades singing became my career including 26 yrs abroad. Now in my Golden Year, I enjoy looking back to my cherished memories but am still singing @ home to my # 1 fan (my husband & Maltese twin fur babies), maybe til my last breath. I earnestly thank God for my gift of talent. 🙏❤️✌️🍀
Gerard Larkin Haverstock Esq
I so love this song.
Jd Haynes
I was in love with Teresa, still am after all these years....
Theresa Mooney
Sing with all her songs. Makes me remember my dad💗
LoloDads (IamJun66)
one all-time favorite when I was a kiddo ... those were the days♥♥♥💛💛💛