View source for Brenda Lee

{{short description|American singer (born 1944)}}
{{about||the member of the South Carolina House of Representatives|Brenda Lee (politician)|the fictional character|Brenda Lee (Doctors)}}
{{BLP sources|date=February 2009}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Brenda Lee
| image              = Brenda Lee 2006.png
| alt                = Lee smiling towards her right
| caption            = Lee in 2006
| birth_name         = Brenda Mae Tarpley
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1944|12|11}}
| birth_place        = [[Atlanta, Georgia]],  US<!-- Per [[MOS:U.S.]], "the use or non-use of periods (full stops) should also be consistent with other country abbreviations in the same article (thus 'the US, UK, and USSR', not 'the U.S., UK, and USSR')." -->
| works              = {{flatlist|
* [[Brenda Lee albums discography|Albums]]
* [[Brenda Lee singles discography|singles]]
}}
| occupation         = {{flatlist|
* Singer
}}<!--occupation(s) artist is notable for, "as given in the lead", per: [[Template:Infobox person#Parameters]]-->
| years_active       = 1951–present
| spouse             = {{marriage|Ronnie Shacklett|1963}}
| children           = 2
| awards             = 
| website            = {{URL|brendaleeofficial.com}}
| module             = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes
| origin             = [[Nashville, Tennessee]], US
| genre              = {{flatlist|
* [[Rock and roll]]
* [[Pop music|pop]]
* [[Country music|country]]
<!-- see "Artistry" section for references-->
}}
| instruments        = {{flatlist|
* Vocals
}}
| label              = {{flatlist|
* [[Decca Records|Decca]]
* [[MCA Records|MCA]]
* [[Elektra Records|Elektra]]
* [[Monument Records|Monument]]
* [[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]]
* Brenda Lee Productions
* Provident 
}}
}}
}}

'''Brenda Mae Tarpley''' (born December 11, 1944),<ref name=Dynamite>{{cite book|last1=Lee|first1=Brenda|first2=Robert K.|last2=Oermann|first3=Julie|last3=Clay|title=Little Miss Dynamite: the life and times of Brenda Lee|publisher=Hyperion|date=2002|pages=[https://archive.org/details/littlemissdynami00bren/page/305 305]|url=https://archive.org/details/littlemissdynami00bren|url-access=registration|isbn=9780786866441}}</ref> known professionally as '''Brenda Lee''', is an American singer. Primarily performing [[rockabilly]], pop, country, and [[Christmas music]], she achieved her first ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' hit at age 12 in 1957, and was given the nickname "Little Miss Dynamite". Some of Lee's most successful songs include "[[Sweet Nothin's]]", "[[I'm Sorry (Brenda Lee song)|I'm Sorry]]", "[[I Want to Be Wanted]]", "[[Speak to Me Pretty]]", "[[All Alone Am I]]", and "[[Losing You (Brenda Lee song)|Losing You]]". Her festive song "[[Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree]]", recorded in 1958, topped the U.S. [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] in 2023, making Lee the oldest artist ever to top the chart and breaking several chart records.<ref name="TheMessengerEntertainment">{{Cite web |url=https://themessenger.com/entertainment/brenda-lee-rockin-around-the-christmas-tree-billboard-hot-100-record |title=Brenda Lee Hits No. 1 on the Hot 100, Becoming the Oldest Artist to Ever Top the Chart |work=TheMessengerEntertainment| access-date=December 4, 2023 |archive-date=December 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204212529/https://themessenger.com/entertainment/brenda-lee-rockin-around-the-christmas-tree-billboard-hot-100-record |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Having sold over 100 million records globally, Lee is one of the most successful American artists of the 20th century. Lee was the second woman ever to top the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 (after [[Connie Francis]]) when her song “I'm Sorry” reached number one in 1960. Her U.S. success in the 1960s earned her recognition as ''[[Billboard charts|Billboard]]''{{'s}} Top Female Artist of the Decade and one of the four artists who charted the most singles, behind [[Elvis Presley]], [[the Beatles]], and [[Ray Charles]]. Her accolades include a [[Grammy Award]], four [[Music Business Association|NARM Awards]], three [[NME Awards]], and five [[Edison Awards]].<ref name=Rockabilly>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockabillyhall.com/BrendaLee1.html|title=Brenda Lee: The Lady, The Legend|website=Rockabillyhall.com|publisher=[[Rockabilly Hall of Fame]]|access-date=April 10, 2019|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095809/http://www.rockabillyhall.com/BrendaLee1.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2023, she was named by ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' as one of the greatest singers of all time.<ref name=Rolling-Stone />

==Early life==
Brenda Mae Tarpley was born on December 11, 1944, at [[Emory University Hospital]] in [[Atlanta, Georgia]].<ref name="Hall of Fame">{{cite web |last1=Roy |first1=Don |title=Brenda Lee |url=https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/hall-of-fame/brenda-lee |website=[[Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum]] |access-date=27 June 2025}}</ref> She was the second of four children born to Annie Grayce Yarbrough and Ruben Lindsey Tarpley.<ref name="Georgia Encyclopedia">{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/arts-culture/brenda-lee-b-1944 |title=Brenda Lee (b. 1944) |encyclopedia=New Georgia Encyclopedia |access-date=August 17, 2015 |archive-date=May 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526222803/https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/arts-culture/brenda-lee-b-1944 |url-status=live }}</ref> Her father served in the [[United States Army]] for 11 years and then worked various labor jobs, including carpentry, factory work, and construction. Her mother also found factory work in [[cotton mill]]s.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=4-6}} When Tarpley was born, she was one month [[Preterm birth|premature]] and weighed four pounds, 11 ounces. She was given the name Brenda by her mother and was nicknamed "Bootie Mae" by her father.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=6}}

The family rented various three-room homes around the [[Metro Atlanta]] area as Ruben found carpentry work and survived on roughly $20 per week. After Ruben broke his arm in 1951, he was temporarily unemployed and the family lived on a [[Tenant farmer|tenant farm]] in [[Conyers, Georgia]]. Tarpley then attended Conyers Elementary School in 1951. After Ruben's recovery, the family moved to a [[clapboard]] house in [[Lithonia, Georgia]], where Tarpley slept on one bed with her siblings.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=9-11}} Most of her childhood toys were made by her father and her grandmother made many of her dresses.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=11}}

Tarpley began singing along to the radio as early as eight months old and won her first talent contest at age five singing "[[Take Me Out to the Ball Game]]".{{sfn|Bufwack|Oermann|2003|p=192}} She then entered a talent contest at Conyers Elementary School where she sang "[[Too Young (Sidney Lippman and Sylvia Dee song)|Too Young]]" and "[[Slow Poke]]", but ultimately lost to an 18-month-old.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=10}} She continued entering talent shows singing songs by [[Hank Williams]] and [[Peggy Lee]].<ref name=Bernstein>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/inside-the-life-of-brenda-lee-the-pop-heroine-next-door-205175/|title=Brenda Lee: Inside the Life of a Pop Heroine Next Door|first=Jonathan|last=Bernstein|website=Rollingstone.com|date=February 20, 2018|access-date=December 9, 2021|archive-date=April 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411040900/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/inside-the-life-of-brenda-lee-the-pop-heroine-next-door-205175/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1952, she appeared at the Sports Arena venue in Atlanta with the Wranglers and debuted on local television the same year on Atlanta's ''TV Ranch'' singing Williams's "[[Hey, Good Lookin' (song)|Hey, Good Lookin']]".<ref name="PBS Timeline">{{cite web |title=Brenda Lee biography and career timeline |url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/brenda-lee-biography-and-career-timeline/34674/ |website=[[PBS]] |access-date=27 June 2025}}</ref>

In 1953, Tarpley's father was working a construction job when a hammer fell off a scaffold and struck him on the head. Knocked unconscious, he was brought to a hospital, where doctors performed brain surgery.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=19}} He died shortly afterward and the family was left "penniless",<ref name="Bernstein"/> leaving Tarpley to help provide for the family through her singing gigs.{{sfn|Bufwack|Oermann|2003|p=192}} Without a car, they traveled by bus from Lithonia to Atlanta on a weekly basis so Tarpley could perform.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=19-23}} A local television producer during this time suggested a stage name because "Brenda Tarpley" was hard to remember. Soon she adopted the stage name "Brenda Lee".<ref name="Hall of Fame"/> Her mother then remarried and her family briefly moved to [[Cincinnati, Ohio]], and [[Augusta, Georgia]].{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=19-23}} In Augusta, she attended North Augusta Elementary School and [[Middle school|junior high school]]. Her stepfather became her manager in 1955 and booked shows around the Atlanta area.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=25}}

== Career ==
===1955–1958: National TV exposure and early rock recordings===
[[File:Brenda Lee with Elvis Presley in 1957.webp|thumb|right|180px|Lee poses with [[Elvis Presley]], 1957.]]
Lee's breakthrough came in February 1955, when she turned down $30<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 19, 2008 |title=Consumer Price Index Data from 1913 to 2022  |url=https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/inflation/consumer-price-index-and-annual-percent-changes-from-1913-to-2008/ |access-date=November 28, 2022 |website= US Inflation Calculator |archive-date=September 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922120528/https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/inflation/consumer-price-index-and-annual-percent-changes-from-1913-to-2008/ |url-status=live }}</ref> to appear on a Georgia radio station to see [[Red Foley]] and a touring promotional unit of his ABC-TV program ''[[Ozark Jubilee]]'' in Augusta. An Augusta [[disc jockey]] persuaded Foley to hear her sing before the show. Foley did and agreed to let her perform "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)" on stage that night.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=26-28}} At age 11,<ref name="Bernstein"/> Foley signed her as a regular cast member of the ''Ozark Jubilee'' in 1956.<ref name="Georgia Encyclopedia"/> Lee and her mother then traveled by bus to [[Springfield, Missouri]], where she made her debut on the program, singing Williams's "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)".{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=27}} Lee's new manager, Lou Black, and her stepfather attempted to get her a recording contract, but were turned down by every label. According to Lee, many companies were hesitant about signing a child performer. Foley then coaxed his Nashville record label to watch Lee perform.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=29}} Lee was then signed by his company, [[Decca Records]], in May 1956.<ref name="Hall of Fame"/>

Despite being 11 years old, Decca issued her debut single, "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)", under the title Little Brenda Lee (9 Years Old).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lee |first1=Brenda |title="[[Jambalaya (On the Bayou)]]"/"Bigelow 6-200" (7" vinyl single) [released as "Little Brenda Lee (9 Years Old)"] |journal=[[Decca Records]] |date=September 1956 |id=9-30050}}</ref> Decca's second single also featured Lee billed under that title. Both the [[A-side and B-side]] were novelty Christmas tunes: "I'm Gonna Lasso Santa Claus" and "Christy Christmas".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sexton |first=Paul |date=July 30, 2023 |title=Brenda Lee's 'Jambalaya': Little Miss Dynamite Debuts On The Bayou |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/brenda-lee-jambalaya-song/ |access-date=December 3, 2023 |website=uDiscover Music |language=en-US |archive-date=December 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203143508/https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/brenda-lee-jambalaya-song/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Her initial releases identified Lee with the [[rock and roll]] market.{{sfn|Bufwack|Oermann|2003|p=192}} During this time, her ''Ozark Jubilee'' performances were seen by New York columnist Jack O'Brien, who wrote an article about her. That led to Lee being booked on ''[[The Perry Como Show]]'', ''[[The Steve Allen Show]]'', and ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Bethany |title=Four New Inductees Added Into Music City Walk of Fame |url=https://tennesseestar.com/news/four-new-inductees-added-into-music-city-walk-of-fame/bbowman/2018/08/23/ |access-date=28 June 2025 |work=[[The Tennessee Star]] |date=August 23, 2018}}</ref> After a performance at the Nashville Disc Jockey Convention, Lou Black died of a heart attack. She was connected to Dub Albritten,{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=34-35}} who became her personal manager the same year and remained in that position for many years.<ref name="Hall of Fame"/> Among the first gigs Albritten booked for Lee was at the [[Flamingo Las Vegas|Flamingo Hotel]] in [[Las Vegas]] in December 1956.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=35-36}}

Lee then went to New York City to record her third Decca release with producer [[Milt Gabler]], "[[One Step at a Time (Brenda Lee song)|One Step at a Time]]". Released in 1957, it became her first US charting single,<ref name="Hall of Fame"/> rising to number 43 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]]<ref name="Hot 100">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/brenda-lee/chart-history/hsi/|title=Brenda Lee Chart History (The Hot 100)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 25, 2018}}
* {{cite book|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|title=Top Pop Singles 1955–2010|publisher=Record Research, Inc|year=2011|isbn=978-0-89820-188-8}}</ref> and number 15 on the [[Hot Country Songs]] chart.<ref name="Country Songs">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/brenda-lee/chart-history/csi/|title=Brenda Lee Chart History (Hot Country Songs)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 15, 2021}}
* {{cite book|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|title=Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008|publisher=Record Research, Inc.|year=2008|isbn=978-0-89820-177-2}}<!--|access-date=2009-10-06--></ref> Its followup, "Dynamite", rose to number 72 on the US Hot 100<ref name="Hot 100"/> and gave her the nickname "Little Miss Dynamite".<ref name="Bernstein"/> Lee also credited [[Steve Allen]] for the nickname after he said it on the air in 1956.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=37}} With her new success, Lee brought in an annual income of $36,000,<ref name="Ozark Jubilee">{{cite book |last1=Ledbetter |first1=Kathryn |last2=Ledbetter |first2=Kitty |last3=Foster Siman |first3=Scott |title=Broadcasting the Ozarks Si Siman and Country Music at the Crossroads |date=2024 |publisher=[[University of Arkansas]] |isbn=978-1682262511 |pages=91–97}}</ref> but according to Lee, the money could not be accessed by her mother because Tennessee state law protected child entertainers. The family went before a court judge{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=39}} and was appointed a [[legal guardian]] named Charlie Mosley (a friend of Albritten's). The judge granted her family a $75 allowance while the remaining amount went into a [[Trust (law)|trust fund]] that Lee could not access until age 21.<ref name="Ozark Jubilee"/>

Lee then was booked for a series of rock and roll package tours in 1957, in which she performed alongside [[Ricky Nelson]], [[Bill Haley & His Comets]], [[George Hamilton IV]], and [[Patsy Cline]] (who became a good friend).{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=41-43}} In 1958, Lee's production was taken over by [[Owen Bradley]], who served in the role over the next 10 years.<ref name="Hall of Fame"/> The same year and at age 13, she recorded a new Christmas tune called "[[Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree]]",<ref name="Bernstein"/> which eventually became a top-15 US single in 1960.<ref name="Hall of Fame"/>

===1959–1963: Rock and pop music breakthrough===
Despite Lee's popularity with teen audiences through rock and roll, Albritten believed the music was a "fad" and morphed her style toward pop.<ref name="Bernstein"/> He brought Lee to France in 1959 after noticing her records' popularity there,<ref name="Hall of Fame"/> and billed her with French pop performer [[Gilbert Becaud]]. According to Lee, Albritten tried to generate hype about her visit by telling French press that she was a "32-year-old midget". Despite the unwarranted press, Lee recalled her French shows as a success with audiences.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=58-59}} The same year, Lee's recording of "[[Let's Jump the Broomstick]]" reached the top 20 on the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name="UK">{{cite web |title=BRENDA LEE songs and albums |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/8197/brenda-lee/ |website=[[Official Charts Company]] |access-date=17 December 2023}}</ref> She returned to Nashville that summer to record the rock and roll tune "[[Sweet Nothin's]]" with Owen Bradley. The song became her first top-10 single in the US and the UK, peaking at number four in both countries.<ref name="Hot 100"/><ref name="UK"/>
[[File:Brenda Lee - Cash Box 1960.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Lee presented with a [[Music recording sales certification|gold record]] for "I'm Sorry" in 1960]]

In 1960, Albritten brought Bradley the pop ballad "[[I'm Sorry (Brenda Lee song)|I'm Sorry]]" for Lee to record. After recording, Bradley believed the song to be a hit, but Decca Records rejected it, theorizing that the song was too mature for Lee to record.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=74-75}} Instead, "I'm Sorry" was issued as the B-side to the rock tune "[[That's All You Gotta Do]]".<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lee |first1=Brenda |title="That's All You Gotta Do"/"I'm Sorry" (7" vinyl single) |journal=[[Decca Records]] |date=May 1960 |id=9-31093}}</ref>{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=74-75}} The A-side reached the top 10 in the US and Australia,<ref name="Hot 100"/><ref name="Kent Music Report">{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|authorlink=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6}}</ref> while "I'm Sorry" became Lee's first US number one single,<ref name="Hot 100"/> spending three weeks at top spot.<ref name="Georgia Encyclopedia"/> Bradley then found the Italian ballad "''Per Tutta la Vita''", which was translated into "[[I Want to Be Wanted]]".{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=77}} It became her second number-one song in the US,<ref name="Hot 100"/> second Australian top ten single,<ref name="Kent Music Report"/> and first (and only) top ten US [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|R&B]] single.<ref name="randb">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/brenda-lee/chart-history/bsi/|title=Brenda Lee Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 15, 2021}}</ref> A third ballad, "[[Emotions (Brenda Lee song)|Emotions]]", reached the US and Belgian top-10 charts in late 1960.<ref name="Hot 100"/><ref name="Belgium">{{cite web |title=Zoeken: Nummer: Brenda Lee |url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/search.asp?cat=s&from=&to=&search=brenda+lee |website=[[Ultratop]] |access-date=17 December 2023}}</ref> Her hit recordings were then included on corresponding LPs, two of which made the top 10 of the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart: ''[[Brenda Lee (album)|Brenda Lee]]'' and ''[[This Is...Brenda]]'' (both 1960).<ref name="Billboard 200">{{cite book |last1=Whitburn |first1=Joel |title=The Billboard Albums Includes Every Album that Made the Billboard 200 Chart : 50 Year History of the Rock Era |date=2006 |publisher=Record Research, Inc. |isbn=978-0898201666 |page=591}}</ref>

Lee was among pop music's best-selling artists during the early 1960s. Her ballads appealed to teenagers and adults alike.<ref name="Bernstein"/><ref name="Hall of Fame"/><ref name="Allmusicbio">{{cite web |last1=Unterberger |first1=Richie |title=Brenda Lee Biography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/brenda-lee-mn0000934069 |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=27 June 2025}}</ref><ref name="Rockin 60s">{{cite book |last1=Helander |first1=Brock |title=The Rockin' '60s The People who Made the Music |date=1999 |publisher=[[G. Schirmer, Inc|Schirmer Books]] |page=233}}</ref> Between 1961 and 1963, nine of Lee's ballads made the top 10 in the US, UK, or Australia: "[[You Can Depend on Me (Louis Armstrong song)|You Can Depend on Me]]", "[[Dum Dum (song)|Dum Dum]]", "[[Fool No. 1]]", "[[Break It to Me Gently]]", "[[Speak to Me Pretty]]", "[[Everybody Loves Me But You]]", "[[Here Comes That Feeling]]", "[[All Alone Am I]]", and "[[Losing You (Brenda Lee song)|Losing You]]".<ref name="Hot 100"/><ref name="Kent Music Report"/><ref name="UK"/> The singles appeared in several of Lee's studio LPs, including two that made the US ''Billboard'' top 20: ''[[All the Way (Brenda Lee album)|All the Way]]'' (1961) and ''[[Brenda, That's All]]'' (1962).<ref name="Billboard 200"/> Her 1963 album ''[[All Alone Am I (album)|All Alone Am I]]'' reached number eight in the UK.<ref name="UK"/>

Decca and her manager further marketed Lee toward straight pop as she neared adulthood, having her appear in [[supper club]]s and record [[Standard (music)|standards]].<ref name="Hall of Fame"/><ref name="Bernstein"/> Studio LPs like 1962's ''[[Sincerely, Brenda Lee]]'' targeted adult audiences by centering completely on American standard tunes.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Spotlight Albums of the Week: Album Reviews |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=February 17, 1962 |page=22 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RRYEAAAAMBAJ&dq=brenda+lee+album+review&pg=PA22 |access-date=1 July 2025}}</ref> Lee and her touring band (The Casuals){{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=83}} regularly appeared in club venues across New York, Boston, and Las Vegas. They were often backed by full orchestras complete with comedy sketches and ''[[Great American Songbook]]'' medleys.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=128-131}} A 1963 review by ''Billboard'' magazine compared her nightclub routine to that of early 20th-century performer [[Sophie Tucker]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Brenda at the Copa: In 1st Gotham Cabaret She's an Old Pro |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=May 11, 1963 |page=3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZgsEAAAAMBAJ&dq=brenda+lee+LP+review&pg=PA3 |access-date=1 July 2025}}</ref> Lee also found work in Europe, including a 1962 [[Hamburg, Germany]], performance that featured [[The Beatles]].<ref name="Bernstein"/> Lee also continued her education, hiring a tutor to accompany her on tour.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=83}} Albritten later moved her out of Nashville's public schools into [[Los Angeles]]'s [[Hollywood Professional School]], where she had classes with [[Peggy Lipton]] and [[Connie Stevens]].{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=117}}

===1964–1970: International success and musical expansion===
By 1964, Lee's musical career had expanded beyond English-speaking countries. She began recording her most popular songs in Spanish, German, IItalian and French.{{sfn|Bufwack|Oermann|2003|p=236}} The 1964 German singles "Wiedersehn ist Wunderschön" and "Ich Will Immer Auf Dich Warten" made the top 40 on its [[GfK Entertainment charts|pop chart]].<ref name="Germany">{{cite web |title=Brenda Lee search |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/suche |website=[[GfK Entertainment Charts]] |access-date=17 December 2023}}</ref> The same year, [[Mickie Most]] produced a single originally intended for the UK market, "[[Is It True (Brenda Lee song)|Is It True]]".<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Brenda Lee Makes Ocean Hop Just to Record Disk |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=September 5, 1964 |page=6 |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/60s/1964/Billboard%201964-09-05.pdf |access-date=22 July 2025}}</ref> It later reached number 17 in both the US and the UK.<ref name="Hot 100"/><ref name="UK"/> The popularity of her various discs led to longer international tours. In her autobiography, Lee recalled appearing overseas more frequently in 1964 than in her home country.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=171}} In November 1964, she joined [[Bob Newhart]] and [[Lena Horne]] in the "Royal Variety Show", where she performed for [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]] of England.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Brenda Lee Story |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=May 28, 1966 |pages=4–10 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6xAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA10&dq=brenda+lee+queen+elizabeth+billboard&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiCyo6_s8-OAxV0K0QIHaaHJEUQ6AF6BAgFEAM#v=onepage&q=brenda%20lee%20queen%20elizabeth%20billboard&f=false |access-date=22 July 2025}}</ref> Albritten also wanted Lee to record for the Japanese market because he believed it was "largely untapped" by US performers.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=175}} In July 1965, "One Rainy Night in Tokyo" (recorded mostly in Japanese) rose into the top ten on the Japanese national chart. Lee then embarked on a 12-day tour of Japan, which attracted audiences of more than 5,000  per concert.<ref name="Japan">{{cite magazine |last1=Whisenhunt |first1=Elton |title=Brenda Lee Breaks Records for Japan |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=July 31, 1965 |page=4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VykEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA4&dq=brenda+lee+one+rainy+night+in+tokyo+japan&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjImZ_O9dGOAxW4MEQIHdgRGq8Q6AF6BAgHEAM#v=onepage&q=brenda%20lee%20one%20rainy%20night%20in%20tokyo%20japan&f=false |access-date=23 July 2025}}</ref> Lee recorded several more albums of Japanese material over the next decade and toured there over the next 25 years.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=177-178}}

[[File:Brenda Lee.png|thumb|right|220px|Lee promotional photo, 1965]]
Meanwhile, Lee was brought back to Nashville to continue recording for her main market.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|202|p=174}} Decca issued two 1964 studio albums of Lee's material that made the US LP chart: ''[[By Request (Brenda Lee album)|By Request]]'' and ''[[Merry Christmas from Brenda Lee]]''.<ref name="Billboard 200"/> Included on the albums were the US top 20 singles "[[The Grass Is Greener (song)|The Grass Is Greener]]", "[[As Usual]]", and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree".<ref name="Hot 100"/> In between two UK tours, Lee recorded the 1965 studio album ''[[Brenda Lee Sings Top Teen Hits]]''. The album targeted the teen market and featured her singing popular youth hits of the period.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=174}} As the music of the [[British Invasion]] overtook radio airwaves, Lee's singles made progressively lower positions on the popularity charts, with some exceptions.<ref name="Allmusicbio"/> Two exceptions were "[[Too Many Rivers]]" (1965) and "[[Coming on Strong (song)|Coming on Strong]]" (1966), with both made the US top 20.<ref name="Hot 100"/> These singles also made the US [[Adult contemporary (chart)|Adult Contemporary]] chart. Between 1962 and 1965, 13 of Lee's songs made the top ten of the chart.<ref name="AC Songs">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/brenda-lee/chart-history/asi/|title=Brenda Lee Chart History (Adult Contemporary)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 15, 2021}}
*  {{cite book|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|title=Top Adult Songs 1961-2006|publisher=Record Research, Inc.|year=2007|isbn= 978-0-89820-169-7}}<!--|access-date=2014-03-04--></ref>

With declining radio airplay, Owen Bradley and Lee made attempts at expanding her musical style.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=194}} In 1967, he brought in the [[Hollywood String Quartet]] to play on her [[blues]]-inspired project ''[[Reflections in Blue (Brenda Lee album)|Reflections in Blue]]''.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lee |first1=Brenda |title=''[[Reflections in Blue (Brenda Lee album)|Reflections in Blue]]'' (Disc Information) |journal=[[Decca Records]] |date=October 16, 1967 |id=DL-4941 (Mono); DL-74941 (Stereo)}}</ref> She then experimented with [[Music of New Orleans|New Orleans music]] on the 1968 [[Pete Fountain]] collaboration ''[[For the First Time (Brenda Lee and Pete Fountain album)|For the First Time]]''. Lee remembered that both albums failed to gain attention from the public.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=194}} But both received critical acclaim for showcasing Lee's music in new forms.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ankeny |first1=Jason |title=''Reflections in Blue'': Brenda Lee: Songs, reviews, credits |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/reflections-in-blue-mw0000746468 |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=14 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Album Reviews: Pop |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=March 23, 1968 |page=76 |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1968/Billboard%201968-03-23-OCR-Page-0076.pdf#search=%22brenda%20lee%20pete%20fountain%20for%20the%20first%20time%22 |access-date=14 January 2024}}</ref> Due to disappointing record sales and several failed attempts at success, Bradley temporarily stopped working with Lee. He helped her find [[Mike Berniker]] and Lee went to New York City to make her next album with him.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=194}}

During this period, she heard [[Willie Nelson]] singing "[[Johnny One Time]]" on the radio and had the idea to record it from a woman's perspective. She went into the studio with Berniker to record the track.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=194-195}} Lee's version of "Johnny One Time" rose to number 41 on the US Hot 100 and number three on the US adult contemporary chart in 1969, becoming her highest-peaking single in several years.<ref name="Hot 100"/><ref name="AC Songs"/> Its [[Johnny One Time (album)|corresponding album of the same name]] made a brief appearance on the US LP's chart in 1969.<ref name="Billboard 200"/> For her next album, Lee traveled to [[Memphis, Tennessee]] to record with [[Chips Moman]] on a soul-inspired project, ''[[Memphis Portrait]]''.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=197-199}} Its lead single, "I Think I Love You Again", only reached number 97 in the US in 1970.<ref name="Hot 100"/>

===1971–1978: Country music comeback and pop experimentation===
Lee experienced several personal and professional challenges during the early 1970s.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=197}} In 1971, Albritten died,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Talent |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=May 1, 1971 |page=20 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-wgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA20&dq=dub+albritten+died+in+1971&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjAhqGp6-COAxVpEFkFHbmBF88Q6AF6BAgHEAM#v=onepage&q&f=false |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref> and according to Lee, he was supposed to leave her money, but the money was never found and she only had $40,000 in her account. Albritten's estate lawyers also believed she owed $250,000 from her Decca contract. In her autobiography, Lee considered taking his estate to court but ultimately agreed to pay $20,000 over five years.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=202-203}} In addition, she experienced several health problems including vocal cord damage and abdominal issues.<ref name="Hall of Fame"/><ref name="Bernstein"/> She also felt professionally stuck after many production shifts,{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=209}} leading to a reunification with Bradley as her producer in 1971.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Country Roundup |magazine=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]] |date=July 17, 1971 |page=36 |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Cash-Box-IDX/70s/1971/Cash-Box-1971-07-17-OCR-Page-0084.pdf#search=%22brenda%20lee%20is%20this%20is%20our%20last%20time%201971%22 |access-date=16 July 2025}}</ref> Song publisher Bob Beckham then brought Lee the [[Kris Kristofferson]]-penned tune "[[Nobody Wins (Kris Kristofferson song)|Nobody Wins]]" and she agreed to record it{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=210-211}} for the newly renamed [[MCA Records]].<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Rumble |editor1-first=John |editor2-last=McCall |editor2-first=Michael |editor3-last=Kingsbury |editor3-first=Paul |editor4-last=Gill |editor4-first=Vince |title=The Encyclopedia of Country Music |date=2012 |publisher=[[Oxford University|Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0199920839 |page=141}}</ref> The song rose to number five on the US country chart<ref name="Country Songs"/> and number one on Canada's [[RPM (magazine)|Country Tracks]] chart in 1973,<ref name="RPM Country Songs">{{cite magazine|title=Search results for "Brenda Lee" under 'Country Singles'|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-110.01-e.php?PHPSESSID=gmrhouli7kvfvaeu848ka389j0&q1=Brenda+Lee&q2=Country+Singles&interval=20|magazine=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|access-date=2010-06-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015114057/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-110.01-e.php?PHPSESSID=gmrhouli7kvfvaeu848ka389j0&q1=Brenda+Lee&q2=Country+Singles&interval=20|archive-date=2012-10-15|url-status=dead}}</ref> redefining Lee as a [[country music]] artist.<ref name="Hall of Fame"/> It appeared on Lee's first country-focused LP, ''[[Brenda (album)|Brenda]]'',<ref name="Five Musical Genres">{{cite web |last1=Snaith |first1=Holly |title=Five musical genres Brenda Lee mastered |url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/five-musical-genres-brenda-lee-mastered/34920/ |website=[[PBS]] |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref> which made the US [[Top Country Albums|country albums]] top ten in 1973.<ref name="Country Albums">{{cite book |last1=Whitburn |first1=Joel |title=Joel Whitburn's Top Country Albums, 1964-1997 |date=1997 |publisher=Record Research Inc. |isbn=978-0898201246}}</ref>

Lee remained identified with the mainstream country genre over the next several years.<ref name="Five Musical Genres"/><ref name="Hall of Fame"/> She made appearances on country-themed television shows such as ''[[Hee Haw]]'' (1972),<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lovullo |first1=Sam |last2=Eliot |first2=Marc |date=1996 |title=Life in the Kornfield: My 25 Years at ''Hee Haw'' |location=New York |publisher=The Berkley Publishing Group |isbn= 1-57297-028-6 |quote=Brenda Lee ... faded from the charts, until ''Hee Haw'' brought her back. Her appearance on our show was the key to re-establishing her career. |quote-page=126}}</ref> presented a country accolade at the [[15th Annual Grammy Awards]] (1973).<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Grammy Winners |magazine=[[Record World]] |date=March 17, 1973 |page=36 |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Record-World-IDX/IDX/70s/73/RW-1973-03-17-OCR-Page-0036.pdf#search=%22brenda%20lee%20grammy%20awards%201973%22}}</ref> and had five more top ten country singles between 1973 and 1975.<ref name="Bernstein"/> She followed "Nobody Wins" with the number six US country songs "[[Sunday Sunrise]]" and "[[Wrong Ideas]]".<ref name="Country Songs"/> The latter was by poet and songwriter [[Shel Silverstein]], who became a friend of Lee's and wrote more of her music. He wrote 1974's "[[Big Four Poster Bed]]",{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=216}} which rose into the US and Canadian country top five in 1974. Both of her next two singles, "[[Rock on Baby]]" and "[[She's My Rock|He's My Rock]]", rose into the US or Canadian country top five.<ref name="Country Songs"/><ref name="RPM Country Songs"/> They were included on Lee's next three country-focused studio LP's: the US country top ten ''[[New Sunrise (Brenda Lee album)|New Sunrise]]'' (1973), ''[[Brenda Lee Now]]'' (1974), and the US country top 25 ''[[Sincerely, Brenda Lee]]'' (1975).<ref name="Five Musical Genres"/><ref name="Country Albums"/> Critics compared them to her 1960s LP's due to their use of cover tunes and similar track layouts.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Adams |first1=Greg |title=''New Sunrise'': Brenda Lee: Album review |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/new-sunrise-mw0000894771 |website=[[Allmusic]] |access-date=2 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Cashbox Country Reviews: LP's |magazine=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]] |date=April 26, 1975 |page=49 |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Cash-Box-IDX/70s/1975/CB-1975-04-26-OCR-Page-0049.pdf#search=%22sincerely%20brenda%20lee%22 |access-date=25 July 2025}}</ref>
[[File:Brenda Lee 1977.JPG|thumb|right|200px|A promotional photograph of Lee in 1977]]

Through 1976, the singles "[[Bringing It Back]]" and "[[Find Yourself Another Puppet]]" made the US and Canadian country top 40 charts.<ref name="Country Songs"/><ref name="RPM Country Songs"/> Lee also campaigned for [[Jimmy Carter]] at his 1976 Nashville birthday event.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Nelson |first1=Pat |title=Nashville Scene |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=October 23, 1976 |page=66 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HyUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT65&dq=brenda+lee+jimmy+carter&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwip75j4g-GOAxWkF1kFHZ6FLI4Q6AF6BAgKEAM#v=onepage&q=brenda%20lee%20jimmy%20carter&f=false |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref> During this time, Bradley retired from the music industry and MCA pressured Lee into being produced by [[Los Angeles]]-based [[Snuff Garrett]].{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=221-222}} The resulting album was 1976's ''[[L. A. Sessions]]'', which aimed to rebrand her as a 1970s pop recording artist.<ref name="Star News">{{cite news |last1=Hurst |first1=Jack |title=The 'Little Legend' Brenda tries a pop music comeback |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F2s0AAAAIBAJ&pg=PA12&dq=brenda+lee+l.a.+sessions&article_id=3000,1189829&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiEhrm8_9iOAxUHHxAIHcF9IM84ChDoAXoECAoQAw#v=onepage&q=brenda%20lee%20l.a.%20sessions&f=false |access-date=25 July 2025 |work=[[Star-News]] |date=January 7, 1977}}</ref> Its two singles failed to make the pop chart and instead made the US country chart but peaked outside the top 40,<ref name="Country Songs"/> leaving Lee disappointed in the album's lack of success. She then traveled to [[Muscle Shoals, Alabama]], to record a [[disco]]-oriented project that was ultimately shelved.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=222}} Her latest manager, David Skepner, helped her secure a new recording contract with [[Elektra Records]] in 1978,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Crossan |first1=Jeff |title=Goal Setting, Coordination Stressed By David Skepner |journal=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]] |page=16 |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Cash-Box-IDX/70s/1978/CB-1978-06-03-OCR-Page-0016.pdf#search=%22brenda%20lee%20elektra%20records%201978%22 |access-date=31 July 2025}}</ref> which released the single "Left Over Love".<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lee |first1=Brenda |title="Left Over Love"/"Could It Be Love I Found Tonight" (7" vinyl single) |journal=[[Elektra Records]] |date=1978 |id=E-45492-X}}</ref>

===1979–1989: Second country comeback===
In 1979, [[Jim Foglesong]] re-signed Lee to MCA Records.<ref name="Session">{{cite magazine |title=Artists Break Loose |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=October 13, 1979 |page=50 |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1979/1979-10-13-Country-Billboard-Page-0050.pdf#search=%22brenda%20lee%20mca%20records%201978%22 |access-date=31 July 2025}}</ref> He teamed her with producer, [[Ron Chancey]], and the pair had instant musical chemistry, according to Lee. Chancey brought in [[soul music]] elements to update her sound{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=228}} on the country single "[[Tell Me What It's Like]]".<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Country Single Picks: Song of the Week |magazine=[[Record World]] |date=October 13, 1979 |page=75 |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Record-World-IDX/IDX/70s/79/Record-World-1979-10-13-OCR-Page-0107.pdf#search=%22brenda%20lee%20tell%20me%20what%20it's%20like%22 |access-date=23 August 2025}}</ref> Reaching number eight on the US country chart, it became her first top-ten single in nearly five years<ref name="Country Songs"/> and received a nomination from the [[Grammy Awards]] the next year.<ref name="Grammys">{{cite web |title=Brenda Lee: Artist |url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/brenda-lee/10028 |website=[[Grammy Awards]] |access-date=23 August 2025}}</ref> The country comeback<ref>{{cite news |title=Brenda Lee at 34 Making Comeback |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z58tAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA79&dq=brenda+lee+comeback+tell+me+what+its+like&article_id=4801,817647&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjFsrnbnKGPAxWKrYkEHS5iGhcQ6AF6BAgJEAM#v=onepage&q=brenda%20lee%20comeback%20tell%20me%20what%20its%20like&f=false |access-date=23 August 2025 |work=[[Reading Eagle]] |date=October 21, 1979}}</ref> made Lee one of several 1970s female artists who made successful returns to country music, including [[Dottie West]] and [[Billie Jo Spears]].{{sfn|Bufwack|Oermann|2003|p=355}} Her next single, "[[The Cowgirl and the Dandy]]", was a reworking of [[Bobby Goldsboro]]'s "The Cowboy and the Lady" that had first been recorded by [[Dolly Parton]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Benoît |first1=Simon |last2=Somvillee |first2=Damien |last3=Walker |first3=Lalie |title=Dolly Parton All the Songs The Story Behind Every Track |date=2024 |publisher=[[Workman Publishing Company]] |isbn=978-0762485857 |chapter=Cowgirl & the Dandy}}</ref> Lee's version reached the top ten of both the US and Canadian country charts in 1980,<ref name="Country Songs"/><ref name="RPM Country Songs"/> leading to the release of 1980's ''[[Even Better]]'', which featured both songs.<ref name="Pittsburgh">{{cite news |last1=Sharpe |first1=Jerry |title=New Look Brenda Lee 'Even Better' |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=whshAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA54&dq=brenda+lee+even+better&article_id=4812,3646612&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwivu8Hv_OeOAxU6VzABHeHIJO4Q6AF6BAgNEAM#v=onepage&q=brenda%20lee%20even%20better&f=false |access-date=31 July 2025 |work=[[The Pittsburgh Press]] |date=March 9, 1980}}</ref> Critics praised Lee's "powerful" and "torchy" vocals on the LP and highlighted its new and modern sound.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Adams |first1=Greg |title=''Even Better'': Brenda Lee: Album |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/even-better-mw0000996491 |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=31 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Williamson |first1=Jennifer |title=Discritique |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yDRMAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA130 |access-date=31 July 2025 |work=[[Spokane Daily Chronicle]] |date=February 14, 1980}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Country: Album Reviews |magazine=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]] |date=January 26, 1980 |page=34 |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Cash-Box-IDX/80s/1980/CB-1980-01-26-OCR-Page-0034.pdf#search=%22brenda%20lee%20even%20better%22 |access-date=31 July 2025}}</ref>

In 1980, Lee also made an acting appearance and performed in the soundtrack for the film ''[[Smokey and the Bandit II]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=People in the News |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ALUqAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA1 |access-date=30 August 2025 |work=[[The Pittsburgh Press]] |date=March 25, 1980 |page=B-16}}</ref> MCA coaxed her back into the studio to make a followup to ''Even Better'', ''[[Take Me Back (Brenda Lee album)|Take Me Back]]'' (1980).{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=235}} The LP was her first in four years to make the US country chart, rising to number 30.<ref name="Country Albums"/> It was critically acclaimed for its use of string instrumentation and was positively compared to [[Anne Murray]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Music: Country - Brenda Lee Is Back |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3mQ_AAAAIBAJ&pg=PA31 |work=[[Windsor Star]] |date=July 3, 1981}}</ref> Its lead single, "[[Broken Trust]]", featured [[The Oak Ridge Boys]] and rose into the US country top ten in 1981.<ref name="Country Songs" /> Lee then agreed to be part of the soundtrack for [[Neil Simon]]'s film ''[[Only When I Laugh (film)|Only When I Laugh]]''.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=236}} She recorded the movie's [[Only When I Laugh (song)|title tune]], which was ultimately not included in the film but was featured in the soundtrack.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Wells |first1=Robyn |title=Nashville Music Community Is Delving into Soundtrack Field |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=November 28, 1981 |page=50 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bSQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT101}}</ref> The single version rose into the US country top 40 in 1981<ref name="Country Songs"/> and was the lead release of Lee's 1981 [[Only When I Laugh (Brenda Lee album)|album of the same name]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lee |first1=Brenda |title=''Only When I Laugh'' (Disc Information) |journal=[[MCA Records]] |date=November 1981 |id=MCA-5278 (LP); MCAC-5278 (Cassette)}}</ref>

Lee hosted her own radio show in 1982, ''Brenda Lee's Country Profile'', which featured in-depth interviews with country artists and found airtime on 25 US radio stations.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Country Radio |magazine=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]] |date=January 9, 1982 |page=29 |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Cash-Box-IDX/80s/1982/CB-1982-01-09-OCR-Page-0029.pdf#search=%22brenda%20lee's%20country%20profile%22 |access-date=30 August 2025}}</ref> In an effort to save [[Monument Records]] from bankruptcy, Lee joined [[Kris Kristofferson]], [[Willie Nelson]] and [[Dolly Parton]] to record the 1982 compilation ''[[The Winning Hand]]''. The album featured new and previously recorded tracks by all four artists, along with solo and duet tracks.<ref name="Winning Hand">{{cite book |last1=Hurd |first1=Mary G. |title=Kris Kristofferson: Country Highwayman |date=2015 |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] |isbn=979-8216241041 |page=77}}</ref> Lee and Nelson's duet "You're Gonna Love Yourself in the Morning" made the US country top 50 in 1983,<ref name="Country Songs"/> while the album made the US country top ten.<ref name="Country Albums"/> The four performers then promoted the project in a two-hour television special in 1985.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Allen |first1=Sharon |title=''The Winning Hand'' TV Special |magazine=[[Radio & Records]] |date=March 22, 1985 |page=42 |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/80s/85/RR-1985-03-22-IDX-44.pdf#search=%22brenda%20lee%20the%20winning%20hand%22 |access-date=30 August 2025}}</ref> Lee said she was never paid for recording ''The Winning Hand'' due to Monument Records' downfall after its release.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=242}}

Between 1982 and 1984, most of Lee's singles made progressively lower US country chart positions. Songs like "Fool Fool", "Enough for You" and "Just for the Moment" reached positions outside the top 40.<ref name="Country Songs"/> Believing she needed a production change, Lee teamed up with songwriter and producer [[Jerry Crutchfield]] in 1983. She filmed a [[music video]] for their first single together, "Didn't We Do It Good"{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=242-243}} but the song only rose to number 75.<ref name="Country Songs"/> Their next release, "[[A Sweeter Love (I'll Never Know)]]", made the US country top 30 in 1984,<ref name="Country Songs"/> prompting Lee to cut an entire Crutchfield-produced LP.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=242-243}} But the project was shelved. Lee said that new MCA president [[Jimmy Bowen]] rejected its release. Fearing Bowen would drop her from MCA, in 1984 Lee found a new record producer, [[Emory Gordy Jr.]] Bowen gave the Gordy-produced project his blessing{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=252-253}} and the resulting album, ''[[Feels So Right (Brenda Lee album)|Feels So Right]]'', was issued in 1985.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lee |first1=Brenda |title=''Feels So Right'' (Disc Information) |journal=[[MCA Records]] |date=August 1985 |id=MCA-5626 (LP); MCAC-5626 (Cassette)}}</ref> Its uptempo song selection was praised by music critics,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Country: Album Releases |magazine=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]] |date=August 31, 1985 |page=33 |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Cash-Box-IDX/80s/1985/CB-1985-08-31-OCR-Page-0033.pdf#search=%22emory%20gordy%20producer%20brenda%20lee%20feels%20so%20right%22 |access-date=11 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Reviews: Country Picks |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=August 31, 1985 |page=82 |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1985/1985-08-31-Billboard-Page-0142.pdf#search=%22brenda%20lee%20feels%20so%20right%201985%22 |access-date=11 August 2025}}</ref> but its singles only rose into the US country top 60.<ref name="Country Songs"/> Lee believed that its lack of success resulted in her being dropped by MCA in 1986, along with several veteran country artists.{{sfn|Clay|Lee|Oermann|2002|p=254-255}} She sued MCA in 1988 for $20 million, citing years of unpaid royalties.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lee sues MCA Records for $20 million |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/08/31/Lee-sues-MCA-Records-for-20-million/7115589003200/ |access-date=30 August 2025 |work=[[United Press International]] |date=August 31, 1988}}</ref> She settled out-of-court in 1989.<ref>{{cite news |title=Brenda Lee, MCA Settle Suit |url=https://tulsaworld.com/archive/brenda-lee-mca-settle-suit/article_ce380fa4-99ac-5e9f-8b91-818023d7728d.html |access-date=30 August 2025 |work=[[Tulsa World]] |date=August 27, 1989}}</ref>

=== 1987–present: Later years "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" 65th anniversary ===
Since ''Billboard'' modified its recurrent rules in 2012, Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" has regularly returned to the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 since 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Molanphy |first=Chris |date=December 20, 2019 |title=Why Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' Is Finally No. 1 |language=en-US |work=Slate |url=https://slate.com/culture/2019/12/mariah-carey-christmas-number-1-billboard-hot-100.html |access-date=December 2, 2023 |issn=1091-2339 |archive-date=December 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206022145/https://slate.com/culture/2019/12/mariah-carey-christmas-number-1-billboard-hot-100.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On the Hot 100 chart dated December 21, 2019, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" reached a new peak of number three in the US with 37.1 million streams and 5,000 digital sales sold.<ref name="musiclover">{{Cite web |title=Brenda Lee's 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' Hits No. 3 on Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8546458/brenda-lee-juice-wrld-tones-and-i-burl-ives-hot-100-top-10 |access-date=December 16, 2019 |website=Billboard.com |archive-date=March 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318131756/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8546458/brenda-lee-juice-wrld-tones-and-i-burl-ives-hot-100-top-10 |url-status=live }}</ref> The next week it moved up to number 2,<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=Top 100 Songs &#124; Billboard Hot 100 Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100 |website=Billboard.com |access-date=January 5, 2020 |archive-date=October 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027024922/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100 |url-status=live }}</ref> where it remained for a second week.<ref name="auto" /> From 2019 to 2022, the song has re-peaked at number 2, blocked from the top position by [[Mariah Carey]]'s "[[All I Want for Christmas Is You]]".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Unterberger |first=Andrew |date=November 29, 2023 |title=Is It Finally Brenda Lee's Year to Be 'Rockin'{{-'}} Atop the Hot 100? |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/brenda-lee-rockin-around-christmas-mariah-no-1-1235515850/ |access-date=December 2, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=December 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202123610/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/brenda-lee-rockin-around-christmas-mariah-no-1-1235515850/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In November 2023, to celebrate the song's 65th anniversary, Lee released a music video featuring her lip-synching to the original recording at a house party with [[Tanya Tucker]] and [[Trisha Yearwood]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hollabaugh |first=Lorie |date=November 6, 2023 |title=Brenda Lee's 'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree' Celebrates Milestone With New Video |url=https://musicrow.com/2023/11/brenda-lees-rockin-around-the-christmas-tree-celebrates-milestone-with-new-video/ |access-date=November 12, 2023 |website=MusicRow.com |language=en-US |archive-date=November 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231112182402/https://musicrow.com/2023/11/brenda-lees-rockin-around-the-christmas-tree-celebrates-milestone-with-new-video/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Lee has also joined [[TikTok]] to promote the song, where she posts videos reminiscing about its history and success.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Conor |title=Will Brenda Lee's 'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree' Finally Dethrone Mariah Carey On The Charts? |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/12/01/will-brenda-lees-rockin-around-the-christmas-tree-finally-dethrone-mariah-carey-on-the-charts/ |access-date=December 2, 2023 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=December 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202170510/https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/12/01/will-brenda-lees-rockin-around-the-christmas-tree-finally-dethrone-mariah-carey-on-the-charts/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart dated December 9, 2023, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" topped the Hot 100 for the first time in the US, becoming Lee's third number-one hit and first since her 1960 single "I Want to Be Wanted". At 78, Lee became the oldest female artist and oldest artist overall to top the Hot 100, feats formerly held by [[Cher]] and [[Louis Armstrong]], respectively.<ref name="TheMessengerEntertainment"/> The next week, she held the number-one spot, which also meant she surpassed her own age record, having turned 79 during the week ending December 16.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Trust |first1=Gary |title=Brenda Lee's 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' Leads Billboard Hot 100 for Second Week |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/brenda-lee-rockin-around-the-christmas-tree-number-one-hot-100-second-week-1235550742/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=December 11, 2023 |date=December 11, 2023}}</ref> After two weeks off number one, on the week ending January 6, 2024, she returned to number one for an additional week.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/brenda-lee-rockin-around-the-christmas-tree-hot-100-number-one-third-week-1235574397/|title=Brenda Lee's 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' Jingles Back to No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100|last=Trust|first=Gary|magazine=Billboard|date=January 2, 2024|access-date=January 3, 2024}}</ref>

Lee approved an AI-generated Spanish-language version, "''Noche Buena y Navidad''", that appeared on October 25, 2024.<ref>{{cite news |title=Universal Music to Release AI-Powered Spanish Version of Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/universal-music-release-ai-powered-131109179.html |work=Yahoo Finance |agency=Reuters |date=October 25, 2024 |access-date=October 25, 2024 |author=Harshita Mary Varghese}}</ref>

In December 2024, [[Spotify]] revealed that "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" is among the top 10 most-streamed holiday songs of all time,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barbuti |first=Angela |date=2024-12-21 |title=Exclusive {{!}} Spotify's Top 10 most-streamed holiday tracks of all time revealed |url=https://nypost.com/2024/12/21/entertainment/spotifys-top-10-most-streamed-holiday-tracks-of-all-time-revealed/ |access-date=2024-12-25 |language=en-US}}</ref> with more than a billion streams.<ref>{{Citation |title=Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree |date=1964-10-19 |url=https://open.spotify.com/track/2EjXfH91m7f8HiJN1yQg97 |access-date=2024-12-25 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Brenda Lee Reacts to 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' Breaking 1 Billion Streams Days Before Her 80th Birthday (Exclusive) |url=https://people.com/brenda-lee-reacts-to-rockin-around-the-christmas-tree-breaking-1-billion-streams-exclusive-8759504 |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=People.com |language=en}}</ref> The [[Recording Industry Association of America]] also certified "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" that month for 7× Platinum for US sales of 7 million copies of the digital single.<ref>Gold & Platinum – Brenda Lee". ''Recording Industry Association of America''. December 9, 2024. Retrieved December 24, 2024</ref>

Also in December 2024, Lee was honored at the [[Tennessee State Capitol]], where the song was named the Official Holiday Song of Tennessee. Legislation recognizing the song in this way was filed by Tennessee House of Representatives member [[Jason Powell]] in December 2023. It passed the state legislature and was signed into law by Governor [[Bill Lee (Tennessee politician)|Bill Lee]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vissman |first=Donna |date=2024-12-15 |title=Brenda Lee's Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree is Named State of Tennessee Holiday Song |url=https://wilsoncountysource.com/brenda-lee-s-rockin-around-the-christmas-tree-is-named-state-of-tennessee-holiday-song/ |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Wilson County Source |language=en}}</ref>

==Legacy==
Lee's 1966 song "[[Coming On Strong (song)|Coming On Strong]]" is referenced as a "forgotten song" in the 1973 hit single "[[Radar Love]]" by the Dutch [[rock music|rock band]] [[Golden Earring]] from their ninth studio album ''[[Moontan]]''.<ref>[https://genius.com/Golden-earring-radar-love-lyrics Radar Love - Golden Earring]</ref>

On September 26, 1986, Lee was installed in the Atlanta Music Hall of Fame 5th Annual Awards Ceremony held at the Radisson Inn, [[Atlanta]]. She was named among many other recording artists, including [[Riley Puckett]], [[Gid Tanner]], [[Dan Hornsby]], [[Clayton McMichen]], and [[Boots Woodall]]. Lee reached the final ballot for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and 2001 without success, but was finally voted into the Hall of Fame in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|title=Brenda Lee - Rock & Roll Hall of Fame|url=https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/brenda-lee|website=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame|access-date=November 18, 2016|archive-date=December 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203130954/https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/brenda-lee|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rock-and-Roll-Hall-of-Fame-and-Museum|title=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=October 11, 2017|archive-date=October 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011182934/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rock-and-Roll-Hall-of-Fame-and-Museum|url-status=live}}</ref>

Celebrating over 50 years as a recording artist, in September 2006, she was the second recipient of the Jo Meador-Walker Lifetime Achievement award by the Source Foundation in Nashville.<ref>{{cite web|title=2006 - Source Nashville|url=http://sourcenashville.org/2006-2/|access-date=November 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119054919/http://sourcenashville.org/2006-2/|archive-date=November 19, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1997, she was inducted into the [[Country Music Hall of Fame]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Brenda Lee|url=http://countrymusichalloffame.org/Inductees/InducteeDetail/brenda-lee|website=Countrymusichalloffame.org|access-date=November 18, 2016|archive-date=July 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730181441/https://countrymusichalloffame.org/Inductees/InducteeDetail/brenda-lee|url-status=dead}}</ref> and is a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame<ref name=Rockabilly /> and the [[Hit Parade Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Brenda Lee - Hit Parade Hall of Fame|url=http://hitparadehalloffame.com/brenda-lee/|access-date=November 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913032144/http://hitparadehalloffame.com/brenda-lee/|archive-date=September 13, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2008, her recording of "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" marked 50 years as a holiday standard, and in February 2009, the [[National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences]] gave Lee a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lifetime Achievement Award - Grammy|url=https://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/awards/lifetime-awards|access-date=November 18, 2016|archive-date=July 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702064838/http://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/awards/lifetime-awards|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2023, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' ranked Lee 161st on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.<ref name=Rolling-Stone>{{cite magazine|title=The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=January 1, 2023|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-singers-all-time-1234642307/brenda-lee-2-1234642908/|access-date=March 8, 2023|archive-date=March 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308230753/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-singers-all-time-1234642307/brenda-lee-2-1234642908/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Billboard'' ranked her 93rd on its 2025 "Top 100 Women Artists of the 21st Century" list.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Anderson |first1=Trevor |last2=Asker |first2=Jim |last3=Bustlos |first3=Pamela |last4=Caulfield |first4=Keith |last5=Frankenberg |first5=Eric |last6=Rutherford |first6=Kevin |last7=Trust |first7=Gary |last8=Zellner |first8=Xander |title=Billboard's Top 100 Women Artists of the 21st Century Chart, Nos. 100-1 |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/top-women-artists-21st-century-chart/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319183615/https://www.billboard.com/lists/top-women-artists-21st-century-chart/ |url-status=live |archive-date=March 19, 2025 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=March 23, 2025 |date=March 19, 2025}}</ref>

==Awards and nominations==
Lee has won three [[Grammy Awards]] and been nominated for three others:
{| width="80%" class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width:10%;"| Year
! style="width:40%;"| Category
! style="width:35%;"| Nominated work
! style="width:15%;"| Result
|-
| 1961
| rowspan="2"| [[Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance|Best Female Pop Vocal Performance]]
| "I'm Sorry"
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1970
| "Johnny One Time"
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1980
| [[Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance|Best Female Country Vocal Performance]]
| "Tell Me What It's Like" 
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1999
|[[Grammy Hall of Fame]]
| "I'm Sorry"
|  {{won|place=gold|Inducted}}
|-
| 2009
|[[Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award]]
| Brenda Lee
|  {{won}}
|-
| 2019
|Grammy Hall of Fame
| "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"
|  {{won|place=gold|Inducted}}
|}

== Personal life ==
Lee met Charles Ronald "Ronnie" Shacklett in November 1962 at a concert by [[Bo Diddley]] and [[Jackie Wilson]] hosted at Nashville's Fairgrounds Coliseum. They married on April 24, 1963.<ref name=Tennessean-JackieWilson-1952>{{cite news|title=Here Tonight|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/113002315/|newspaper=[[The Tennessean|The Nashville Tennessean]]|date=November 4, 1962|page=13-C|access-date=January 3, 2018|archive-date=January 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104132354/https://www.newspapers.com/image/113002315/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/life/singer-learned-young-how-to-rock-the-house/|title=Singer learned young how to rock the house|newspaper=[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]]|access-date=January 3, 2018|archive-date=January 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104132452/https://www.reviewjournal.com/life/singer-learned-young-how-to-rock-the-house/|url-status=live}}</ref> Lee and Shacklett have two daughters and three grandchildren.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.biography.com/people/brenda-lee-15177442|title=Brenda Lee|website=Biography.com|language=en-us|access-date=April 21, 2017|archive-date=April 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422040145/http://www.biography.com/people/brenda-lee-15177442|url-status=live}}</ref>

Lee is the cousin-by-marriage (by way of her mother's second marriage) to singer Dave Rainwater from [[the New Christy Minstrels]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.omaha.com/go/arts/new-christy-minstrels-to-raise-curtain-in-brownville/article_e6c7c5c2-8602-5ea7-93b6-cff8e744a5c1.html|title=New Christy Minstrels to raise curtain in Brownville|newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]]|language=en-us|access-date=January 3, 2018|archive-date=April 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210403172348/https://omaha.com/arts-and-theatre/new-christy-minstrels-to-raise-curtain-in-brownville/article_e6c7c5c2-8602-5ea7-93b6-cff8e744a5c1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{Main|Brenda Lee albums discography|Brenda Lee singles discography}}{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* ''Rock the Bop'' (1957)
* ''[[Grandma, What Great Songs You Sang!]]'' (1959)
* ''[[Brenda Lee (album)|Brenda Lee]]'' (1960)
* ''[[This Is...Brenda]]'' (1960)
* ''[[Emotions (Brenda Lee album)|Emotions]]'' (1961)
* ''[[All the Way (Brenda Lee album)|All the Way]]'' (1961)
* ''[[Sincerely (Brenda Lee album)|Sincerely]]'' (1962)
* ''[[Brenda, That's All]]'' (1962)
* ''[[All Alone Am I (album)|All Alone Am I]]'' (1963)
* ''[[..."Let Me Sing"]]'' (1963)
* ''[[By Request (Brenda Lee album)|By Request]]'' (1964)
* ''[[Merry Christmas from Brenda Lee]]'' (1964)
* ''[[Brenda Lee Sings Top Teen Hits]]'' (1965)
* ''[[The Versatile Brenda Lee]]'' (1965)
* ''[[Too Many Rivers (album)|Too Many Rivers]]'' (1965)
* ''One Rainy Night in Tokyo'' (1965)
* ''[[Bye Bye Blues (album)|Bye Bye Blues]]'' (1966)
* ''[[Coming On Strong (Brenda Lee album)|Coming on Strong]]'' (1966)
* ''[[Reflections in Blue (Brenda Lee album)|Reflections in Blue]]'' (1967)
* ''[[For the First Time (Brenda Lee and Pete Fountain album)|For the First Time]]'' (1968; with [[Pete Fountain]])
* ''[[Johnny One Time (album)|Johnny One Time]]'' (1969)
* ''Memphis Portrait'' (1970)
* ''[[Brenda (album)|Brenda]]'' (1973)
* ''[[New Sunrise (Brenda Lee album)|New Sunrise]]'' (1973)
* ''Brenda Lee Now'' (1974)
* ''[[Sincerely, Brenda Lee]]'' (1975)
* ''L.A. Sessions'' (1976)
* ''Even Better'' (1980)
* ''Take Me Back'' (1980)
* ''Only When I Laugh'' (1981)
* ''[[The Winning Hand]]'' (1982; with [[Kris Kristofferson]], [[Willie Nelson]], and [[Dolly Parton]])
* ''Feels So Right'' (1985)
* ''Brenda Lee'' (1991)
*  ''A Brenda Lee Christmas'' (1991)
* ''Precious Memories'' (1997)
* ''[[Gospel Duets with Treasured Friends]]'' (2007)
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last1=Lee|first1=Brenda|first2=Robert K.|last2=Oermann|first3=Julie|last3=Clay|title=Little Miss Dynamite: the life and times of Brenda Lee|publisher=Hyperion|date=2002|url=https://archive.org/details/littlemissdynami00bren|url-access=registration|isbn=9780786866441}}

{{Refend}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite web|url= http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2007/brendalee-0507.html|title= Reluctant Legend|access-date= April 2, 2008| last= Argyrakis |first= Andy |date= July 5, 2007 |publisher= Christianity Today}}
* {{cite web |url= http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2007/s07050170.htm |title= 'Little Miss Dynamite' returns to her Gospel roots with a little help from some of her best friends |access-date= February 3, 2012 |last= Wooding |first= Dan |publisher= ASSIST News Service |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140714225736/http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2007/s07050170.htm |archive-date= July 14, 2014}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.brendalee.com/pages/biography.html|title=Brenda Lee: the Lady, the Legend|publisher=Brenda Lee Productions |access-date=April 10, 2009|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414094639/http://www.brendalee.com/pages/biography.html|archive-date=April 14, 2009}}
* {{cite book|last1=Oermann|first1=Robert K.|last2=Bufwack|first2=Mary A.|title=Finding Her Voice: Women in Country Music: 1800–2000|date=2003|publisher=The Country Music Press & Vanderbilt University Press|location=Nashville, TN|isbn=0-8265-1432-4|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/findinghervoicew0000bufw}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Brenda Lee}}
* {{allMusic|id=brenda-lee-mn0000934069|label=Brenda Lee}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/clmKWf-82eo Brenda Lee receiving Spotify award, December 2024]
* [https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/205729 Brenda Lee recordings] at the [[Discography of American Historical Recordings]].
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{{Brenda Lee}}
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