Peggy Lee - Fever

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Peggy Lee's alluring tone, distinctive delivery, breadth of material, and ability to write many of her own songs made her one of the most captivating artists of the vocal era, from her breakthrough on the Benny Goodman hit "Why Don't You Do Right" to her many solo successes, singles including "Mañana," "Lover" and "Fever" that showed her bewitching vocal power, a balance between sultry swing and impeccable musicianship.

Born Norma Egstrom in Jamestown, North Dakota, she suffered the death of her mother at the age of four and endured a difficult stepmother after her father remarried. Given her sense of swing by listening to Count Basie on the radio, she taught herself to sing and made her radio debut at the age of 14. She made the jump to Fargo (where she was christened Peggy Lee), then to Minneapolis and St. Louis to sing with a regional band. Lee twice journeyed to Hollywood to make her fortune, but returned unsuccessful from both trips.

She finally got her big break in 1941, when a vocal group she worked with began appearing at a club in Chicago. While there, she was heard by Benny Goodman, whose regular vocalist Helen Forrest was about to leave his band. Lee recorded with Goodman just a few days later, debuting with the popular "Elmer's Tune" despite a good deal of nerves. That same year, several songs became commercial successes including "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)" and "Winter Weather." In 1943, "Why Don't You Do Right" became her first major hit, but she left the Goodman band (and the music industry altogether) later that year after marrying Goodman's guitarist, Dave Barbour.

After just over a year of domestic life, Peggy Lee returned to music, first as part of an all-star jazz album. Then, in late 1945, Capitol signed her to a solo contract and she hit the charts with her first shot, "Waitin' for the Train to Come In." Lee continued to score during the late '40s, with over two dozen chart entries before the end of the decade, including "It's a Good Day," "Mañana (Is Soon Enough for Me)" -- the most popular song of 1948 -- and "I Don't Know Enough About You." Many of her singles were done in conjunction with Barbour, her frequent writing and recording partner.

After moving to Decca in 1952, Peggy Lee scored with the single "Lover" and an LP, Songs From Pete Kelly's Blues recorded with Ella Fitzgerald (both singers also made appearances in the film). She spent only five years at Decca however, before moving back to Capitol. There, she distinguished herself through recording a wide variety of material, including songs -- and occasionally, entire LPs -- influenced by the blues, Latin and cabaret as well as pop. Lee also used many different settings, like an orchestra conducted by none other than Frank Sinatra for 1957's The Man I Love, the George Shearing Quintet for 1959's live appearance Beauty and the Beat, Quincey Jones as arranger and conductor for 1961's If You Go, and arrangements by Benny Carter on 1963's Mink Jazz. Barbour's problems with alcoholism ended their marriage, though they remained good friends until his death in 1965.

Peggy Lee was an early advocate of rock and made a quick transition into rock-oriented material. Given her depth and open mind for great songs no matter the source, it wasn't much of a surprise that she sounded quite comfortable covering the more song-oriented end of late-'60s rock, including great choices by Jimmy Webb, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Burt Bacharach, Randy Newman, Goffin & King and John Sebastian. She nearly brushed the Top Ten in 1969 with Leiber & Stoller's "Is That All There Is?" She continued recording contemporary material until 1972's Norma Deloris Egstrom From Jamestown, North Dakota brought her back to her roots. It was her last LP for Capitol, however. Lee recorded single LPs for Atlantic, A&M, Polydor UK and DRG before effectively retiring at the beginning of the 1980s. She returned in 1988 with two LPs for Music Masters that revisited her earlier successes. Her last album, Moments Like This, was recorded in 1992 for Chesky. Her voice was effectively silenced after a 1998 stroke, and she died of a heart attack at her Bel Air home in early 2002. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide



Some info I received from another member: the "fever" was written by Little Willie John, a black r & b artist who died at a young age in prison. Peggy Lee/Her Record Label added a few lyrics and she released with great success.

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  Education

[poordoll]

at 2:35 it goes to a different quality of recording. Anyone know why the difference. I grew up listening to a version of this song where the entire thing sounded like those 4-5 seconds; I would like to find it if possible.

[John1948Ten]

You can buy the mp3 from amazon dot com. The quality is excellent.  It will cost less than a dollar.

[vinyltapelover]

@ John1948Ten Smart move to post a good writeup with a great song by Miss Lee. Whould it be fair to say, that she demonstrated, to the max, the old axiom, "Less is more?" This, to me was one of two most sensous moments of the 20th century. The other, the scene with Lauren Bacall and Bogart,.."You know how to whistle..? Great stuff, both instances, and no clothes off. Checked out the Archives. Good job.

[John1948Ten]

Thanks for your comments. It nice to find someone who gets it.

[cinammondream]

er, hello? freedom of opinion? I love this version, but if someone else doesn't that's okay, and it doesn't mean they have to be a Bieber fan... which there's nothing bad about being.

[John1948Ten]

Freedom of opinion means he was free to make his posts. Then the others were free to make theirs. He took an unpopular position and got some blowback. That's just life. I do agree that the Bieber comment was uncalled for.

[E Mack]

These "video vixens" of today should take a lesson from Miss Peggy Lee. You need not look like a slut to be sexy. Here's the proof!

[Freddybobloco]

When I was a cute little redheaded 6 year old my folks took me to the Towne Casino in Buffalo. (all the way from Toronto) Miss Lee sang the song directly to me from the start, finishing with a big smack on the lips! I was in love! My mother was mortified and dad was killing himself laughing. By the way I'm 60 now and still in love with her. What a night!

[TheOriginalRosettes]

hello everyone! thank you so much for this wonderful video from Peggy, she had such class and integrity, and was an amazing singer! We're a jazz trio who sing in close harmony, and singers like Peggy are our biggest inspiration! If we manage to get enough views, we're hoping to do a cover of 'Fever'! :) we'd love it if you could take a little time to look at our videos, it would mean so much! we really want to spread recognition for the jazz of the golden era.

Lots of love, The Rosettes xxxx

[DiscoMood]

This was a brilliant rendition of "Fever" which was originally written by Little Willie John back in 1956. However, it is of my opinion that the song really is song that needed a women's touch to perfect it and that was done by Miss Lee. She delivered this song in way that no one else could have. A true artist of anytime. Thank you for posting this classic.

[poordoll]

Thank you!

[John Smith]

sounds like they were switching between the original audio from the film with that of a studio recording. So the quality keeps changing

[Qu0thTheRaven]

Classic

[Andy O'Gorman]

Who is Bieber?

[Maria Sanchez]

peggy Lee sings this song the best!! Timeless..

[AxeVEVO]

She killed it.

[joequirk]

I have this video on disk, nonblurry. They had to upload a blurry version because otherwise it would melt Youtube