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.
Christmas Cookies and Holiday Hearts
Teresa Brewer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That′s the way the holiday starts
Christmas cookies and holiday hearts
Goody, goody yum yum yum
Ooh, Some are made like Evergreen trees
Eat Em by two's, Eat Em by three′s
Christmas cookies and holiday hearts
Goody, goody yum yum yum
All the children say
Mommy Mommy make a little more
And soon it's Christmas Day - Hey
Christmas cookies and holiday hearts
That's the way the holiday starts
Christmas cookies and holiday hearts
Goody, goody yum yum yum
Mommy Mommy make a little more
All the children say
Mommy Mommy make a little more
And soon it′s Christmas Day - Hey
Christmas cookies and holiday hearts
That′s the way the holiday starts
Christmas cookies and holiday hearts
Goody, goody yum yum
Goody, goody yum yum
Goody, goody yum yum yum
"Christmas Cookies & Holiday Hearts" by Teresa Brewer is a playful and upbeat song that captures the excitement and cheer of the holiday season. The song celebrates two of the most beloved symbols of Christmas - cookies and hearts - and suggests that their sweetness are the perfect ingredients to kick off the festivities.
The lyrics convey the joy and anticipation children feel in waiting for and enjoying the treats that are typically associated with the holiday season. The song encourages adults, particularly mothers, to make more cookies so that the whole family can enjoy the mouth-watering delights. The chorus of the song is particularly catchy, repeating the words "Christmas cookies and holiday hearts, that's the way the holiday starts, goody goody yum yum yum."
The song's lyrics offer an insight into the heart of Christmas, the joy and excitement that comes with the holiday cheer. The song invites us to embrace the season's sweet pleasures and togetherness in the form of cookies and holiday hearts. The song also expresses the importance of tradition, of keeping rituals alive and reinforcing bonds with family and friends by sharing in the joys that come with this time of year.
Line by Line Meaning
Christmas cookies and holiday hearts
The warmth and love-filled experiences of Christmas season are symbolized by the sweet taste of cookies and the open-heartedness of people.
That's the way the holiday starts
Cookies and hearts pave the way for a joyous and memorable Christmas season.
Goody, goody yum yum yum
The taste and excitement of Christmas cookies bring pure joy to everyone who indulges in them.
Ooh, Some are made like Evergreen trees
Some cookies are shaped like Christmas trees, which beautifully adds to the festive spirit and ambiance of the holiday time.
Eat Em by two's, Eat Em by three's
The desire to gorge on Christmas cookies is so strong, people can't seem to stop themselves and end up eating in groups of twos and threes.
Mommy Mommy make a little more, All the children say
Kids have an obsessive love for cookies and they are constantly urging and pleading their mothers to bake more and more of them.
And soon it's Christmas Day - Hey
With the aroma of freshly baked cookies and the air filled with love, the Christmas Day is just around the corner, beckoning for a time of celebrations.
Goody, goody yum yum yum
The excitement and nostalgia associated with Christmas cookies fill the hearts and bellies of all, leaving sweet memories to cherish forever.
Writer(s): Ruth Roberts, Bill Katz
Contributed by Landon O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
VCR Time Machine
We sang this in our school Christmas program in 4th grade (40 years ago) and I have remembered all the words ever since, but haven't actually heard it again until now.
younga5113
Such a classic holiday song! I remember singing this in elementary with my class.
Corrie LeRette
I remember singing this little song in grade school. I didn't know it was something popular from back in the day :D How nice to hear the real song.
Electrishion Yousaf
Corrie LeRette RD
Timbrock1000
Me too.
First grade, 1981.
Timbrock1000
😂 I remember being in a first grade Christmas program back in 1981 and us singing this song on a stage for our parents.
After over 40 years, I still remember most of the words.
222cyn
Had my kindergarteners act this out for their Christmas program, dressed as chefs. It was a big hit.
J Smith
OMG! I Remember singing this in elementary school! I still sing this school and my co-workers think I'm so corny. Songs like these are childhood memories and unforgettable.
Karla Cleverly
One of the happiest songs I've ever heard. My kids loved this song.
Susan Holt
So Sweet 😋 💖 💓 💕
Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄 ❤ ♥