Brenda Lee Albums Ranked

Brenda Mae Tarpley (born December 11, 1944), known professionally as Brenda Lee, is an American singer. Performing rockabilly, pop and country music, she had 47 US chart hits during the 1960s and is ranked fourth in that decade, surpassed only by Elvis Presley, the Beatles and Ray Charles. She is known for her 1960 hit “I’m Sorry” and 1958’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”, which has become a Christmas standard. Lee has sold more than 100 million records worldwide. She is a member of the Rock and Roll, Country Music and Rockabilly Halls of Fame. She is also a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Lee is the first woman to be inducted into both the Rock and Roll and Country Music Halls of Fame. Here are all of Brenda Lee albums ranked.

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10. Jingle Bell Rock 

“An early Brenda Lee but one of her best. She put herself into her music even at a young age and has never lost her magic! This CD makes you think Christmas is here and want to dance, even if you play it in the summertime.”

9. All The Way 

“This is my Best Album by Brenda Lee! Recorded when she was 16 years old, This is the Best of the Blues. I love all the songs on the CD and how this is even available. It is so sad Music is going away, and we don’t even know it. Soon this music will no longer be available, so if you want this CD, then the time is now to get All The Way!’

8. Legends Of Rock 

“From oldest to newest, this has all of Brenda’s hit songs plus some old standards done in her distinct style and voice. Brenda had an aggressive style and gruffness that was perfectly suited for rockabilly and country influenced pop songs. Brenda walked that fine line between Country and Pop and in the process increased both genre’s popularity.”

7. This Is Brenda 

“It always amazes me that here we are listening to tracks recorded as long ago as 1958 and yet these are all in pure stereo. Excellent sound quality throughout. This was Brenda Lee at her best.”

6. Emotions 

“Another pop princess of the 1960’s who could really belt out a great song and yet sing a quiet ballad wonderfully well. Brenda Lee is a good singer. She is one of my favorite singers. All songs of this album are really good.”

5. Queen Of Rock ‘N’ Roll 

“collects many rare sides by her. I used to listen to her frequently during the late sixties/early seventies, but many of these sides were new to me. I especially enjoyed her take on the classic “The Stroll,” which had been a huge hit for The Diamonds.”

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4. Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – The Decca Christmas Recordings 

“Brenda Lee sings Rock around the Christmas Tree and Jingle Bell Rock better than any other artist. It energizes me to listen. My feet start moving. My body starts moving. I just love it.”

3. All Alone Am I 

“She was still only eighteen when she recorded this album. It has the Nashville sound, with pop and country elements, and strings and a choir in the background. All Alone Am I is a torch song that shamelessly wallows in love sickness and self pity. It’s All Right with Me is a cheeky Cole Porter tune from “High Society”, sung by someone who gives in to a seducer. Her staccato vocals and bouncy consonants add something to it. The B-side contains some bright versions of standards. Her voice combines power, a schmalzy vibrato and plucky execution.”

2. Grandma, What Great Songs You Sang! 

“If you’re only familiar with Brenda’s hits, you will be surprised by the first of the two albums featured here, although depending on your musical tastes, that could work either way. It is a collection of songs from the early part of the twentieth century, featuring five songs written before 1920 and only one written after 1930, that being Pennies from heaven (1936). With strong jazz influences, it suggests that Brenda could have been a successful jazz singer had she chosen to take her career that way after the pop hits dried up.”

1. Brenda Lee 

“For a girl who only turned sixteen that year she had an exceptional vocal talent and sense of rhythm. Her voice has those coos, cracks and currs perfect for rockabilly. She rerecorded her first singles in a new arrangement and added a lot of new songs. Dynamite is a sparkling rock ‘n’ roll song with upright bass, handclaps, funny backing vocals and a saxophone solo. The Hank Williams cover Jambalaya (On the Bayou) gets a lively treatment in the same style. In the charming Sweet Nothin’s she uses her Betty Boop/Speedy Gonzalez voice. Her classic I’m Sorry is a sentimental torch song in 6/8 with a spoken part and violins. With their old-fashioned innocence these songs are highly enjoyable.”