Sunday Diva/Three From The Hip: Peggy Lee

Sunday Diva/Three From The Hip:

Peggy Lee

In my own personal big gay church there is a wing dedicated to those who are truly unique and one of a kind. For one such fine example, look no further than...

The multi-talented...

Peggy Lee.

She was known as the Queen of American pop music, a title she earned by making over 1,100 recordings and writing 270 songs.

This diva's distinctive style has been borrowed many times, but never equaled; subtly alluring and sensuous beyond measure.

Cool as a kitten about to pounce, and blazing hot as a phoenix rising, she was the living embodiment of that sensual combo - fire and ice.

In addition to singing, Lee was a talented actress and voice artist; famously being nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in Pete Kelly's Blues (1955) and lending her talents to a pair of Siamese cats in the Disney classic Lady and the Tramp (1955) - a film for which she also co-wrote all the songs.

Her artistry is readily available for consumption. Unfamiliar? Dive into her lengthy catalog and get acquainted with a true legend. 

Your every sense with thank you.

The gospel according to her?

Well, here are three from the hip, dropping from her lips. 

The topic? Her Life's Breath

"Music is my life’s breath."

"I may have sung other people's songs, but I always put my own heart and soul into them. I may have sung other people's songs, but I always put my own heart and soul into them."

"I have no plans to stop singing. What are you going to do when you love music? It's a terrible disease. You can't stop."

Why Don't You Do Right - Peggy Lee

w/ Benny Goodman & His Orchestra

Fever - Peggy Lee

Is That All There Is? - Peggy Lee

And one last parting shot...

On developing her unique style: "I knew I couldn't sing over them (the band), so I decided to sing under them. The more noise they made, the more softly I sang. When they discovered they couldn't hear me, they began to look at me. Then, they began to listen. As I sang, I kept thinking, 'softly with feeling'. The noise dropped to a hum; the hum gave way to silence. I had learned how to reach and hold my audience—softly, with feeling."