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.
Danny's Song
Teresa Brewer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And we've just begun, I think I'm gonna have a son
He will be like you and me, as free as a dove
Conceived in love, the sun is gonna shine above
And even though we ain't got money
I'm so in love with you honey
Everything bring a chain of love
Bring a tear of joy to my eyes
And tell me everything's gonna be all right
Love a guy who holds the world in a paper cup
Drink it up, love him and he'll bring you luck
And if you find he helps your mind, better take him home
Yeah, and don't you live alone, try to earn what lovers own
And even though we ain't got money
I'm so in love with you honey
Everything bring a chain of love
And in the mornin' when I rise
Bring a tear of joy to my eyes
And tell me everything's gonna be all right
And even though we ain't got money
I'm so in love with you honey
Everything bring a chain of love
And in the mornin' when I rise
Bring a tear of joy to my eyes
And tell me everything's gonna be all right
The lyrics to Teresa Brewer's song "Danny's Song" speaks about the happiness and optimism that the singer feels about the birth of her child. The singer expresses feelings of good fortune and joy for having found love, even if she and her partner are not monetarily well-off. She continues to explain that she looks forward to the future when her child is to be born, describing her hopes that her child will have the same kind of freedom and love that she and her partner have. Brewer's song emphasizes the importance of valuing love and the simple things in life over material possessions.
The song's chorus reassures the listener that everything will soon be okay, regardless of the hardships that may occur. The lyrics proclaim, "And even though we ain't got money, I'm so in love with you honey. Everything brings a chain of love. And in the morning when I rise, bring a tear of joy to my eyes, and tell me everything's gonna be alright." The singer's optimism and endless love for her partner shines through as the song repeats the same words to end with a positive note, reassuring listeners that they will ultimately triumph over struggles because of their love.
Overall, Danny's Song inspires an uplifting and positive outlook that is full of hope and strength. The lyrics remind the listener that despite the struggles life can bring, love is much more powerful than money can ever be.
Line by Line Meaning
People smile and tell me I'm the lucky one
People envy me and think I'm fortunate
And we've just begun, I think I'm gonna have a son
Our life journey has just started, and I have a feeling we'll soon have a son
He will be like you and me, as free as a dove
Our son will have the same kind of freedom that we enjoy
Conceived in love, the sun is gonna shine above
Our son was conceived out of love, and it will be a bright future for us
And even though we ain't got money
Though we are not financially wealthy
I'm so in love with you honey
I love you so much, my dear
Everything bring a chain of love
Every little thing we do together strengthens our love
And in the mornin' when I rise
When I wake up in the morning
Bring a tear of joy to my eyes
I feel overwhelmed with happiness and cry tears of joy
And tell me everything's gonna be all right
You reassure me that everything will work out fine
Love a guy who holds the world in a paper cup
Appreciate a person who enjoys simple things that others may overlook
Drink it up, love him and he'll bring you luck
Embrace his carefree attitude and affection, and he'll bring you good fortune
And if you find he helps your mind, better take him home
If he has a positive impact on your well-being, you better keep him by your side
Yeah, and don't you live alone, try to earn what lovers own
Don't live a solitary life, strive to acquire what couples usually have together
Writer(s): Kenny Loggins
Contributed by Christian A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
allendale18
One of three of my favorite Teresa songs. Thank you.
Kathleen Morgan
One of my favorite songs!!!
becca herreman
This is my favourite recording of this song thank you so much
Sabiazoth Psyche
Always a pleasure to share. 🙏
Wally M
+Sabiazoth Alonzo *Excellent recording. Thank you for the posting, Alonzo !*