Brenda Lee - Johnny One Time

A richly textured vocal painted over a haunting melody. This recording has grown in stature since it's release over 40 years ago. At this point, it must categorized as timeless. When she heard Willie Nelson's recording of this song on the radio, Brenda Lee had not scored a hit since "Ride, Ride, Ride" reached #37 early in 1967. She thought her interpretation of "Johnny" might fare better than Willie's. Sure enough, in 1969, it reached #3 on the Adult Contemporary chart and #41 on the Hot 100. Surprisingly. it also reached #50 on the Country chart although it was not promoted or even released to country radio stations. Brenda had not had a song on the country chart since One Step at a Time in 1957. This development pointed to a new career direction. The recording was nominated for Grammy in 1970.

"Johnny" was a rare Brenda Lee hit recorded outside of Nashville and her record company. It was recorded at Columbia Recording Studio, 30th St., New York City on October 16, 1968. The session players: Jay Berliner [gt], Louis Mauro [bass], Buddy Saltzman [drums], Arthur Brennan [piano], Dave Carey [vibes]. The producer was Mike Berniker.


Songwriters: Dallas Frazier; Arthur L. Owens

So he told you that you're the dream that he's been searching for
And he told you that he's never met anyone like you before
And I can hear him telling you, your lips taste just like sherry wine
But did he tell you that he's known as Johnny One Time

Did he tell you that your heart will soon become
Another trinket on his bracelet of broken hearts?
Did he tell you that the morning sun will find you
Patching up your shattered pride and searching for the missing parts?

Did he tell you that the special love you're saving
Will disappear in flames of shame like mine?
Did he tell you that he's known as Johnny One Time

So he told you that he'd never lead your heart astray
And he told you that he'd love you forever and a day
And I can hear him telling you that he's the shy and bashful kind
But did he tell you that he's known as Johnny One Time

Did he tell you that your heart will soon become
Another trinket on his bracelet of broken hearts?
And did he tell you that the morning sun will find you
Patching up your shattered pride and searching for the missing parts?

And did he tell you that the special love you're saving
Will disappear in flames of shame like mine?
Did he tell you that he's known as Johnny one time?

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Live performance
• Live

[maplover1]

"Is It True" was recorded in London, and she recorded several songs in Hamburg Germany in German.

[MrCallipygous]

@maplover1 Also see my video "What'd I Say (1964) - with Jimmy Page" for another track from London that was never released in the USA.

[maplover1]

This is the original grammy nominated original version of jot by Brenda recorded in 1968 (released in 1969). It was recorded in New York, one of the few times Brenda recorded outside of Nashville.

[MrCallipygous]

@maplover1 Thanks! I had the wrong recording date in the description. The label was sending her to different producers, trying to re-capture the magic. There was New Orleans with Pete Fountain, New York for Johnny and then Memphis for "Portrait". Three consecutive albums made outside of Nashville.

[SelenaWildenstein]

This is AH MAZING, Brenda is a truly talented lady!!! GO BRENDA!!! Just came to think about, what if today's 'stars' like Ke$ha and Britney Spears could have sung like this.... It would have been wonderful!!

[MrCallipygous]

@SelenaWildenstein Thanks for the comment. BTW - Happy Birthday to Brenda Lee! She stills sings better than today's "stars". Look up Taylor Swift trying to sing Brenda's "I'm Sorry". Yikes! I could not make all way through that video.

[h0cusp0cus1]

Awesome video!! This is one of my all-time favorite songs. Thanks so much for posting!

[12ut5]

I've been waiting for someone to put this performance back up on YouTube for a while. Thank you Mr. Callipygous. I love it!

[bgfootlover2]

thanks for posting this. Reminds me of my dad picking me up after school in '69 in his old blue truck.

[daughterofRMS]

Oh my God- I love this song! Haven't heard it in a hundred and fifty years (seems that long ago) so thank you for posting it. A genuine classic!

[grub44]

Mothers-please educate your daughters about this character-he may still be out there !!!!

[terrryc]

I forgot how good she was.........my God......

[robin678]

My beloved Brenda at her best!

[Elvis86100]

Brenda toujours aussi superbe, avec cette voix, qui surprend par ses intonations. Brenda Lee, c'est une grande Dame, qui comme Elvis à toujours été égale à elle même. Grand Marci pour toutes ces chansons, ....

[MrRickycurry]

Loretta Lynn does this song better. But she is good to I Love You Loretta.

[seltaebb]

grew up with this great music thank God...

[seltaebb]

grew up with this great music thank God for that.............

[05Rayjen]

No bullshit here , just great talent