Brenda Lee was only 12 years old when she first gained national attention for her powerful voice. She began singing at a young age, having been born in Georgia. If you can believe it, one of her most well-known songs, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” wasn’t a big seller at the time.

However, “I’m Sorry,” which debuted in 1960, was an instant hit and continues to break hearts to this day. Lee was only 15 at the time, but her sincere delivery and Southern vocal style gave this song a grand scale of emotion. Later artists would cover the song numerous times, but we believe Lee’s version is the best.

As an adult, Lee stood only 4 foot 9 and captivated audiences with her petite stature and innocent face, which concealed a booming voice that could compete with any adult performer of the era. Hear this incredible song again in the video below, which features one of Lee’s early TV performances.