Brenda Lee’s name may not be as recognizable as some of the other music stars from the 1960s but when you think of Christmas, you’ll know her song, and start humming her catchy tune, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”
When Lee, now 78, first hit the stage, she wasn’t old enough to drive but her powerful vocals steered her “unprecedented international popularity” as the most successful female artist of the 1960s.
Lee, whose voice defied her diminutive stature at only 4 foot 9, became a fan favorite when she was only 12.
Brenda May Tarpley, born in 1944, got her start in the late 1940s, became huge in the 1950s, and over her career–that started before she left elementary school–she topped the charts 55 times, earning the title as the most successful female recording artist of the 1960s.
When Lee was only eight (according to Rolling Stone), her father, a construction worker, was killed at work and little Brenda–who then changed her last name to Lee–became the family’s primary provider.
Taking care of her younger brother, big sister, and mother–a cotton mill worker–was not a duty, but something she wanted to do. She said that she was thrilled when she made her first $20, so she could help her family: “Even at that young age, I saw that helped our life,” Lee said, adding “It put some food on the table. It helped, and I loved it.”
The Atlanta-born chanteuse, called a “pioneer of early rock and roll,” by the Georgia Encyclopedia, achieved “unprecedented international popularity in the 1960s.”
But, an incredibly humble human, Lee credits those who helped her achieve her dreams. When Christianity Today asked what she thinks about being a legend, Lee said “I don’t think of myself that way!” She continued, “I’m just a girl who’s been blessed to be doing what I’m doing, and there’s a lot of people who’ve sweated a lot of tears and put a lot of life’s work into me to be able to have my dream. So, if I’m a legend, then they’re legends, too.”
In 1956, the young girl joined country star Red Foley for a show at the Bell Auditorium near her home in Augusta, and she belted out “Jambalaya,” by Hank Williams.
She was then signed to appear on Foley’s Ozark Jubilee, a country music show, where millions of viewers fell in love with the sassy 12-year-old whose talent was developed well beyond her age.
In the same year, Lee signed with Decca Records, and the next year, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and fusing country with rhythm and blues–highlighted by her hiccupping vocals–she recorded early rockabilly classics like “BIGELOW 6-200,” “Little Jonah,” and “Let’s Jump the Broomstick.”
When asked if–when as a young girl–she was nervous performing in front of large crowds, she answered: “No, not really. Nobody ever told me to be nervous. The stage always felt like a hometown to me because I had been in front of people ever since I was 3 years old, singing to people. So it was a very comfortable spot for me.”
In 1957, Lee earned the nickname “Little Miss Dynamite” for her pint-sized powerhouse recording of the song “Dynamite,” and in 1958, fans heard “Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree,” a genre and generation-crossing holiday standard, released when she was only 13.
“I knew it was magical,” she told Rolling Stone.
Over the next couple of years, she charted with hits like “Sweet Nuthin’s,” “All Alone Am I,” and “Fool #1.”
Most of her songs, however, contradicted her experience as a young girl. Her mother didn’t let her date and she graduated high school not understanding the heartbreak of young love.
She was only 16 when she said “Love could be so cruel” in the song “I’m Sorry” and only 16 when she said “I want his lips to kiss me” in the song “I Want to be Wanted,” both back-to-back hits when she was still in school.
And when she turned 18, she met Ronnie Shacklett, whom she’s now been happily married to for 60 years.
Life on the road for Lee as a youngster had its difficulties. She celebrated her 12th birthday in Las Vegas and speaking with the Las Vegas Journal, Lee explained her loneliness.
“Of course, I wasn’t even allowed to walk through a casino, I was so young. So I didn’t even know what a casino looked like. They took me into the kitchen, then into the showroom. And then when my show was over, I was brought back out through the kitchen and back up to my room. Children weren’t allowed … in the casino area.” She continued, “There wasn’t anything to do in Vegas for a kid. The most fun I had was on the stage.”
Speaking on what she missed out on as a child, the award-winning Lee said, “Many times, I yearned to be with my friends rather than be out there on the road.”
Turns out she made new friends on the road, like with the music group that opened for her at a 1962 show in Germany. “I hung out with John,” she says effortlessly, speaking of John Lennon. “He was extremely intelligent, very acerbic with his jokes, just a gentle person. When I found out that they later said they were fans of my music, I was just floored.”
The Way You Sleep Reveals How Lazy You Are
Have you ever wondered what your sleeping position says about your personality? While it may seem like just another unconscious habit, studies suggest that the way you sleep can reveal hidden traits, emotional tendencies, and even your energy levels.
Could your love for sleeping on your stomach indicate a carefree personality? Does curling up in a fetal position mean you have a sensitive side? And most importantly—does your sleep posture expose just how lazy or active you truly are?
Let’s dive into the most common sleeping positions and uncover what they reveal about your personality, mindset, and, yes, even your motivation levels!
1. The Fetal Position – The Sensitive Yet Overworked Dreamer
Do you sleep curled up on your side with your knees tucked close to your chest? If so, you’re not alone—this is the most common sleep position, especially among women.
What It Says About You:
✔ You appear tough on the outside but are sensitive at heart.
✔ You’re hardworking but prone to stress and overthinking.
✔ You like feeling safe, secure, and comforted while sleeping.
Are You Lazy?
Not exactly! People who sleep in the fetal position are often hardworking and emotionally intense. However, they can be prone to mental exhaustion, making them seem lazy when they take extra time to recharge.
2. The Log Position – The Social Butterfly with Low Effort Energy
If you sleep straight on your side with both arms at your sides, congratulations! You’ve mastered the art of appearing effortlessly cool in your sleep.
What It Says About You:
✔ You’re easy-going, friendly, and social.
✔ You trust people easily—sometimes too easily.
✔ You don’t stress much, and you go with the flow.
Are You Lazy?
Maybe. You’re so relaxed that you might avoid putting in extra effort unless absolutely necessary. But hey, why work harder when you can work smarter?
3. The Yearner Position – The Indecisive Procrastinator
Sleeping on your side with both arms stretched out in front of you? That’s called the yearner position, and it says a lot about how you handle life’s choices.
Video : Your Sleeping Position Says All the Truth About You
What It Says About You:
✔ You’re open-minded but also skeptical and cautious.
✔ You take your time making decisions—sometimes too much time.
✔ Once you decide, you stick to it no matter what.
Are You Lazy?
A little. Since you tend to overthink decisions, you sometimes delay tasks until the last minute. But once you commit to something, you see it through—even if it means pulling an all-nighter!
4. The Soldier Position – The Disciplined Overachiever
If you sleep flat on your back with arms straight at your sides, you embody the soldier position—a posture as structured as your mindset.
What It Says About You:
✔ You’re serious, reserved, and disciplined.
✔ You hold yourself and others to high standards.
✔ You don’t like drama and prefer a structured lifestyle.
Are You Lazy?
Not at all! If anything, you’re the opposite of lazy. You probably wake up early, stick to routines, and believe in getting things done efficiently. But because of your strict nature, others might assume you’re too rigid to relax.
5. The Freefall Position – The Restless Risk-Taker
Do you sleep on your stomach with your arms around the pillow and head turned to the side? That’s called the freefall position, and it belongs to people who live life on their own terms.
What It Says About You:
✔ You’re outgoing, adventurous, and bold.
✔ You hate criticism and prefer to be in control.
✔ You live in the moment but can be a little impulsive.
Are You Lazy?
Not at all! Freefall sleepers are energetic and spontaneous, always ready for the next big thing. However, since you value freedom so much, you might avoid responsibilities that feel restrictive.
6. The Starfish Position – The Laid-Back Helper
If you sleep on your back with your arms stretched above your head, you’re a starfish sleeper—a position that suggests you prioritize relationships over personal attention.
What It Says About You:
✔ You’re a great listener and a loyal friend.
✔ You don’t like being the center of attention.
✔ You believe in helping others before helping yourself.
Are You Lazy?
Maybe. Starfish sleepers are laid-back and non-competitive, meaning they’re not always in a rush to achieve big things. However, their caring nature makes them hard workers when it comes to supporting others.
7. The Pillow Hugger – The Affectionate Daydreamer
If you hold a pillow tightly while sleeping, you’re a pillow hugger, which means comfort and emotional connection are important to you.
What It Says About You:
✔ You cherish close relationships and need emotional support.
✔ You enjoy coziness and relaxation.
✔ You’re a warm, affectionate person who values loyalty.
Are You Lazy?
Yes and no. You might not have the most aggressive work ethic, but you’re not completely unmotivated either. Your drive depends on how emotionally connected you feel to what you’re doing.
Video : What Your Sleeping Position Says About You
8. The Stargazer Position – The Optimistic Dreamer
Do you sleep on your back with arms folded behind your head? If so, you’re a stargazer sleeper—a person with a relaxed, positive outlook on life.
What It Says About You:
✔ You’re optimistic and carefree.
✔ You value friendships and deep conversations.
✔ You’re always looking for the silver lining in any situation.
Are You Lazy?
Yes, but in a good way! Stargazer sleepers don’t stress over minor details and prefer to go with the flow. You might procrastinate, but you always manage to get things done in your own time.
Conclusion: Does Your Sleeping Position Expose Your Laziness?
Your sleeping position can reveal interesting personality traits, including how hardworking or laid-back you are. While some positions suggest a disciplined and ambitious nature, others indicate a more relaxed and carefree attitude toward life.
But remember—sleeping habits don’t define you completely. Whether you’re a fetal-position overthinker, a log-sleeping socialite, or a freefall daredevil, your personality is a mix of many complex factors.
So, what’s your go-to sleeping position? Do you think it matches your personality? Let us know in the comments!
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