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.
Till I Waltz Again With You
Teresa Brewer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let no other hold your charms
If my dreams should all come true
You'll be waiting for my arms
'Til I kiss you once again
Keep my love locked in your heart
Darling, I'll return and then
Though it may break your heart and mine
The minute when it's time to go
Remember dear, each word divine
That meant I love you so
'Til I waltz again with you
Just the way we are tonight
I will keep my promise true
For you are my guiding light
'Til I waltz again with you
Keep my love locked in your heart
Darling, I'll return and then
We will never have to part
Though it may break your heart and mine
The minute when it's time to go
Remember dear, each word divine
That meant I love you so
'Til I waltz again with you
Just the way we are tonight
I will keep my promise true
For you are my guiding light
My light, my light
I will keep my promise true
'Til I waltz again with you
In this heartfelt ballad by Teresa Brewer, the singer urges her lover to wait for her return with open arms. She asks him to let no other person hold his charms until the day she can waltz with him again. The lyrics are an ode to her lover’s unwavering devotion during her time away, and the promise of her love and loyalty upon her return. By urging her lover to keep her love locked in his heart and to remember each divine word that meant "I love you," Brewer is expressing her deep love and appreciation for her partner.
The song’s dreamy lyrics and melody deliver a memorable and poignant message that love can conquer distance and time. Brewer's hypnotic voice embodies the emotions that come with being separated from a loved one, hoping that their love will last.
Overall, the song conveys a message of unconditional love and devotion, urging the listener to hold on to their love, regardless of the distance and time that may separate them.
Line by Line Meaning
'Til I waltz again with you
Until the moment we dance together again
Let no other hold your charms
Don't let anyone else take my place in your heart
If my dreams should all come true
If everything I've ever hoped for happens
You'll be waiting for my arms
You'll be there, ready and waiting for me to come back to you
'Til I kiss you once again
Until I have the chance to kiss you again
Keep my love locked in your heart
Keep my love with you, always
Darling, I'll return and then
I promise to come back to you and when I do
We will never have to part
We'll be able to be together forever
Though it may break your heart and mine
Even though it will be difficult for both of us
The minute when it's time to go
When the time comes for me to leave
Remember dear, each word divine
Remember the special and meaningful words we've exchanged
That meant I love you so
That expressed my deep affection for you
'Til I waltz again with you
Until we can dance together again
Just the way we are tonight
In the same way we are together at this moment
I will keep my promise true
I will fulfill my vow to you
For you are my guiding light
You are the one who leads me in life
My light, my light
The light that shines in my world
I will keep my promise true
I will stay true to my word
'Til I waltz again with you
Until the next time we can dance together
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sidney Prosen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marilyns4031
I recently found a box of letters written by my dad during the Korean War to his family back home. I just read in one of them, he told his mom to tell his brother when he goes out dancing, to remember him when they play this song. This is the first time I've heard it, and it made me feel close to my dad, who passed away 8 years ago. So glad it was here for me to listen to. Thank you!
@chantelmccullough5264
Your comment strikes a chord with me. Thinking of my Dad who was in the Korean War and just read something in his writing about how her voice takes him back to service!
@karenleemallonee684
❤️😭❤️
@1customermaniac
@Marilyn S thank you for posting and sharing your story.
Today is the 19th anniversary of my grandmas passing, looking through the few items I was able to save I opted to save some note cards handwritten by my grandfather, her husband. Had this song written down.
Life makes more sense everyday.
Everything is truly meant to be.
@seaaashelby
My Papa was in the Korean War (he is 94.5 years old exactly today actually and he got an incredible portrait drawn of him from a street artist which I wish I could add to this comment) and this is his and my Gramas song. He is on home hospice right now and he is getting so confused about everything and I played this for him with a speaker in a huge metal pot right beside his head so it would echo louder (his hearing aids are not helping at all whatsoever now but we’ve always had to be holllerin’ at him hah) and watching my Grama and him holding hands to this song made me sob I had to leave the room but I had my iPad propped up in secret to record them. Little things like that and this are actually HUGE and so priceless. I wish more people now a days saw the value in the things that really matter.
This is such a beautiful song. Part of me wants to make a cover of this song for them.
@amylitz5163
Omg my papa was in the Korean War, and this was his and my Nanas song.. They're both passed on now, but this makes me imagine them dancing the nights away 🤍
@LettuceZing
I cannot get over how lovely her voice is... The song is heaven to me.
@majenniferbongat6020
I remember waking up in the morning while this song was being played by my father on my childhood days... I always feel young listening to this song again and again
@alfredmahon3587
You make me feel old, I remember this song coming out in 1953. I was in New York at the time. Shortly after I came back to England, I met a girl and married her all in a couple of months.
@AmericanActionReport
Teresa Brewer was the second best (after Patsy Cline) female vocalist I've ever heard, and "Till I Waltz Again with You" is my favorite of her songs. Thanks for posting it.