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.
Why Baby Why
Teresa Brewer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You make me cry baby cry baby cry baby cry
You know that I'll love you till the day that I die
So tell me why baby why baby why baby why
Well I got a crow I want to pick with you
Just like last time when the feathers flew
You're runnin' wild a kickin' uo your heels
And leavin' me home with a handful of bills
Well now I don't know but I've heard you say
That every little dog's a gonna have his day
You better pay attention don't you dare forget
Cause I'm just a little baby puppy yet
Tell me why baby why
Tell me why baby why
You know that I'll love you till the day that I die
So tell me why baby why baby why baby why
In Teresa Brewer's song "Why Baby Why," the singer is pleading with her lover to explain why they are causing her so much pain and heartbreak. She addresses her lover with the lines, "Tell me why baby why baby why baby why, You make me cry baby cry baby cry baby cry." Despite the emotional turmoil, the singer declares her love for her partner, saying "You know that I'll love you till the day that I die."
However, the song takes a slightly humorous approach when the singer mentions a "crow" that she wants to "pick" with her lover. She recalls a previous argument when "feathers flew" and accuses her partner of "running wild" and "kicking up their heels," while leaving her to deal with the financial consequences.
In the second verse, the singer references a common saying that "every little dog's gonna have his day" and warns her lover to "pay attention" because she's still a "little baby puppy." She repeats the chorus, once again asking for an explanation for her lover's behavior.
Overall, "Why Baby Why" is a classic country song that explores themes of heartbreak, love, and communication. The lyrics convey the frustration and pain of a lover who feels hurt and confused by their partner's actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me why baby why baby why baby why
Questioning why the other person is causing tears and heartache
You make me cry baby cry baby cry baby cry
Expressing the emotional pain caused by the other person's actions
You know that I'll love you till the day that I die
Affirming continuing love and devotion despite the current situation
So tell me why baby why baby why baby why
Repeating the plea for an explanation or reason for the hurtful behavior
Well I got a crow I want to pick with you
Introducing confrontation over the other person's behavior
Just like last time when the feathers flew
Referencing a past disagreement and indicating potential for another argument
You're runnin' wild a kickin' uo your heels
Describing the other person's carefree and irresponsible behavior
And leavin' me home with a handful of bills
Expressing financial burden caused by the other person's actions
Tell me why baby why
Reiterating the need for an explanation or justification
Well now I don't know but I've heard you say
Admitting uncertainty but reminding the other person of their own words
That every little dog's a gonna have his day
Suggesting that reckoning or justice will come for the other person's actions
You better pay attention don't you dare forget
Warning the other person to take heed and not ignore the consequences of their actions
Cause I'm just a little baby puppy yet
Asserting a need for tenderness and care despite maturity
Tell me why baby why
Repeating the plea for an explanation or reason for the hurtful behavior
Tell me why baby why
Repeating the plea for an explanation or reason for the hurtful behavior
You know that I'll love you till the day that I die
Affirming continuing love and devotion despite the current situation
So tell me why baby why baby why baby why
Repeating the plea for an explanation or reason for the hurtful behavior
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LARRY HARRISON, LUTHER DIXON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ernie garcia
She's great! I want this album!!!!
Filthy Cat
LOVE this song!!
Jagdish Rao
Love this song! I do covers of golden oldies, and this is one of my favorites. Can someone suggest where the backing track would be available? Thank you!...Jagdish
Frederick Fung
I like to hear an expert's knowledge, whether Pat Boone's version is the first and this lady's version is the 'follower', or vice versa.
TheLimePopsicle
@hkuprobity2 The album from whence this recording comes, depicted in the video, contains quite a few versions of songs that were current hits. This is one of those, so the Pat Boone hit came before this album cut.
ernie garcia
I looked at the selections and all are great. She also does "On Treasure Island". I wish she had mad more teen stuff.
Fitheach1
Where can I find the real lyrics?
Ev'ry page I found, pretending that they offer the original lyrics to this song, is posting the wrong lyrics, but you can hear the right song, in the sound sample.
Can someone helb please?
mrob75
Hi Tom...Wasn't this the first cut on the "A" side of this album? :---)
TheLimePopsicle
Yes, I think that it was!