She grew up in Arcadia, Louisiana, one of 14 children, and moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1963. Although some sources state that she was in a vocal group known as The Fawns who recorded for Money Records in 1964, she has refuted this, saying that she sang with a trio in Arcadia by that name.
In 1964 she started a solo singing career, as Bettye Swann, at the prompting of local DJ Al Scott, who became her manager. After a minor hit with the self-penned "Don’t Wait Too Long". her big breakthrough came with "Make Me Yours", which topped the Billboard R&B charts in July 1967, and also made #21 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1968 she split with Scott, moved to Georgia, won a new contract with Capitol Records and had another hit in 1969 with "Don't Touch Me" (#14 R&B, #38 Hot 100).
In 1972 she transferred to Atlantic Records and had a couple of minor hits with "Victim of a Foolish Heart" (later revived by Joss Stone), and Merle Haggard’s "Today I Started Loving You Again". She continued to record until the mid-1970s, but with little commercial success. Her last public performance as Bettye Swann was in 2013, live in Cleethorpes.
As Betty Barton, she then worked in the education sector in the Las Vegas, Nevada area, and became a Jehovah's Witness. She is now retired and, according to a 2005 interview, suffers from a degenerative spinal condition. After leaving Money Records she lived for a short time in Athens, Georgia.
Little Things Mean A Lot
Bettye Swann Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say I look nice when I'm not
Touch my hair as you pass my chair
Little things mean a lot
Give me your arm as we cross the street
Call me at six on the dot
A line a day when you're far away
Little things mean a lot
Champagne, sables and such
I never cared much for diamonds and pearls
But honestly honey, they just cost money
Give me your hand when I've lost the way
Give me your shoulder to cry on
Whether the day is bright or gray give me your heart to rely on
Send me the warmth of a secret smile
To show me you haven't forgot
Now and forever , that always and ever
Little things mean a lot
Blow me a kiss from across the room
Say I look nice when I'm not
Touch my hair as you pass my chair
Little things mean a lot
Give me your arm as we cross the street
Call me at six on the dot
A line a day when you're far away
Little things mean a lot
Don't have to buy me diamonds and pearls
Champagne, sables and such
I never cared much for diamonds and pearls
But honestly honey, they just cost money
Give me your hand when I've lost the way
Give me your shoulder to cry on
Whether the day is bright or gray give me your heart to rely on
Send me the warmth of a secret smile
To show me you haven't forgot
Now and forever , that always and ever
Little things mean a lot
The song Little Things Mean A Lot, sung by Bettye Swann, conveys a message that small gestures of affection can mean more than grand displays of wealth and luxury. The opening line "blow me a kiss from across the room" sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer would like her lover to notice her and acknowledge her presence, even if it's simply through a kiss blown from across the room. She then goes on to describe other small acts of kindness that her lover could do to make her feel valued such as saying she looks nice even when she doesn't, touching her hair as they pass, and giving her arm as they cross the street.
The chorus highlights the simplicity of the singer's desires, stating that little things mean a lot. The singer emphasizes that it's not extravagant gifts like diamonds or champagne that she wants, but rather she values being attended to and cared for. The bridge describes the importance of emotional support in a relationship, with the singer asking for a hand to hold, a shoulder to cry on, and a heart to rely on. She also values the warmth of a secret smile from her lover that lets her know she's still valued and remembered.
Overall, Little Things Mean A Lot is a song that speaks to the importance of small acts of love and affection in a relationship. Rather than focusing on material possessions, the singer values the emotional support and attention that her lover can provide.
Line by Line Meaning
Blow me a kiss from across the room
Even a small gesture like blowing a kiss can make me feel special and loved, even if it's from a distance.
Say I look nice when I'm not
Your kind words can make me feel beautiful even on days when I might not feel that way about myself.
Touch my hair as you pass my chair
A simple touch can make me feel seen and appreciated, like I matter to you in a small but meaningful way.
Little things mean a lot
These small acts of kindness and affection may seem insignificant on their own, but they add up to something much greater and more important.
Give me your arm as we cross the street
Your willingness to offer me your support and protection, even in a small way, means a great deal to me.
Call me at six on the dot
Even if it's just a quick phone call to check in, your reliability and thoughtfulness in remembering and sticking to a schedule means everything.
A line a day when you're far away
Even when we're apart, a simple message to let me know you're thinking of me each day can help me feel connected and loved.
Don't have to buy me diamonds and pearls
Expensive gifts aren't necessary to show me how much you care about me.
Champagne, sables and such
Luxury items and fancy things don't mean much to me in comparison to the small, daily gestures of affection and love.
I never cared much for diamonds and pearls
Material possessions don't hold much value to me in comparison to the feelings and emotions you share with me every day.
But honestly honey, they just cost money
Expensive gifts are nice, but it's the love and affection behind them that truly matters.
Give me your hand when I've lost the way
Your guidance and support are invaluable to me when I'm feeling lost or uncertain, and your hand is all I need to feel safe and secure.
Give me your shoulder to cry on
In moments of sadness or pain, your comforting presence and supportive embrace are everything to me.
Whether the day is bright or gray give me your heart to rely on
Regardless of the circumstances, I know I can always depend on your love and support to guide me through anything we may face together.
Send me the warmth of a secret smile
Even from a distance, your affection and love can shine through in something as small as a smile, and that warmth means everything to me.
To show me you haven't forgot
Even when life gets busy or stressful, a simple gesture of affection and love can remind me that I am a priority to you and that you haven't forgotten about me.
Now and forever , that always and ever
Regardless of what may come, I know I can always count on your love and the small, daily gestures of kindness and affection that mean the world to me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CARL STUTZ, EDITH L CALISCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind