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.
Jingle Bell Rock
Teresa Brewer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jingle bells chime in jingle bells time
Snowing and blowing up bushels of fun
Now the jingle hop has begun
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time
Dancing and prancing in Jingle Bell Square
What a bright time, it's the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go gliding in a one-horse sleigh
Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and a-mingle in the jingling beat
That's the jingle bell,
That's the jingle bell,
That's the jingle bell rock.
In Teresa Brewer’s classic Christmas hit, “Jingle Bell Rock”, the lyrics describe the joy and excitement of the holiday season. The song is filled with the sounds of jingle bells ringing and people dancing, prancing, and merrymaking in the frosty air. The “jingle hop” has begun, and the festive atmosphere is set with ornaments, caroling, and decorations all around. It’s the perfect time to gather with loved ones to celebrate and make lasting memories.
The song’s lyrics celebrate the season with a fun and upbeat rhythm that encourages listeners to join in the festivities. The jingling beat is catchy and complements the lyrics perfectly, creating a sense of joy and happiness. The song highlights the joys of Christmas with its songs, dances, and merrymaking. It reminds us to let loose and enjoy the brighter, lighter side of life during the festive season.
Line by Line Meaning
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
The sound of jingle bells serves as the foundation for the festive and upbeat rock song.
Jingle bells chime in jingle bells time
The bells ring in perfect harmony with the rhythm of the music.
Snowing and blowing up bushels of fun
The snowfall and wind create playful and exciting conditions to fully enjoy the holiday spirit.
Now the jingle hop has begun
The dance party has started with energetic moves and festive cheer.
Dancing and prancing in Jingle Bell Square
Everyone is moving and grooving joyfully in the designated center of celebration.
In the frosty air.
The cold winter air adds a refreshing touch to the lively atmosphere.
What a bright time, it's the right time
The occasion is perfectly suitable for happiness and joy.
To rock the night away
The energy and excitement is high enough to keep everyone engaged and entertained all night long.
Jingle bell time is a swell time
The time of the year when the bells ring is the perfect and magnificent time to celebrate.
To go gliding in a one-horse sleigh
It's time to embark on a romantic and chilly ride on the sleigh across the snow-capped landscape.
Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
The horse is only expected to move along with the rhythm of the bells and the energy of the event, disregarding its usual pace.
Jingle around the clock
The festive atmosphere never dies down as participants keep singing, dancing and enjoying themselves throughout the day and night.
Mix and a-mingle in the jingling beat
People join together and create a harmonious yet vibrant and fully animated sound of jingle bells.
That's the jingle bell, That's the jingle bell, That's the jingle bell rock.
The whole celebration is a true embodiment of the festive and upbeat spirit of the Jingle Bell Rock song.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Joseph Beal, James Boothe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Leslie Crawford
My favorite Christmas song. It always got my into the Christmas spirits.
HeartoftheDragonColo
My favorite version, too. Mom had the 45 so it's the one I grew up with (released right around the time of my 3rd birthday).
TheDlanglois4
Love it
Snodge Kat
BEST VERSION!! (to me, that is)
Daniel Langlois
Love you Forever and Always, Teresa!!
Nicole Bertrand
so good singer
Kevin Beckett
I Wish Singer Today Would Sing Songs Like These
Maria Carril
A GREAT, DANCIN' ROCKIN' ROCK & ROLL. CHRISTMAS SONG. GREAT WAY TO START MY HOLIDAY MUSIC.. Peace via Music VIVA MARIA!
All Around Abbey
i miss my cousin Teresa brewer
J. Bruce Fox
Great artist, a greater human being!