Billy first became known to fans in the early 1990s with his appearance on "Star Search." He later earned a recording contract with Liberty Records and rose to national stardom with a string of Top 10 hits on Billboard magazine's country singles chart. His debut song, 1991's "Only Here For a Little While," rose into the Top 5, while the follow up, "Somewhere in My Broken Heart," repeated the feat. "Somewhere in My Broken Heart" won the 1992 Academy of Country Music award for Song of the Year; he also took home the ACM's New Male Vocalist award..
Dean's string of hits continued in the early- and mid-1990s, with songs like "You Don't Count the Cost" (1991); "Only the Wind," "Billy the Kid" and "If There Hadn't Been You" (all 1992); "Tryin' to Hide a Fire in the Dark" (1993); "We Just Disagree" (a remake of the 1970s Dave Mason hit) (1993); "It's What I Do" and "That Girl's Been Spying on Me" (both 1996).
In 1991 Dean wrote and sang the theme song to the ABC animated television series Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa. It is titled "Up on the Mesa".
During the late 1990s, his career slowed down a bit, although he made several television appearances, including "One Life to Live" and "Wings." He and Alison Krauss sang backup on Kenny Rogers' 2000 single "Buy Me a Rose". At the time, the song made Kenny the oldest artist to score a country #1; it also marked the only time that Dean reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.
In 2004, Dean was signed to Asylum Curb, where he began a comeback with the single "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" (a remake of John Denver's classic). In early 2005, he released the album Let Them Be Little, which featured both "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" and the title track. "Let Them Be Little" was co-written by Richie McDonald, who at the time was the lead singer of Lonestar; Lonestar also recorded the song on their 2005 album Let's Be Us Again. Dean's version of the song became his first Top Ten hit on the country charts in nearly nine years.
Let Them Be Little
Billy Dean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Felt so good in it, no bigger than a minute.
How it amazes me, you're changing with every blink.
Faster than a flower blooms they grow up all too soon.
So let them be little, cause they're only that way for a while.
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love, every day.
Let em cry, let em giggle, let them sleep in the middle.
I've never felt so much in one little tender touch.
I live for those kisses, prayers and your wishes.
Now that you're teaching me things only a child can see.
Every night while we're on our knees all I ask is please
Let them be little, cause they're only that way for a while.
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love, everyday.
Let em cry, let em giggle, let them sleep in the middle.
Oh just let them be little.
So innocent, a precious soul, you turn around.
Its time to let them go.
So let them be little, cause they're only that way for a while.
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love, every day.
Let em cry, let em giggle, let them sleep in the middle.
Oh, just let them be little
Let them be little
The lyrics to Billy Dean's song Let Them Be Little, may seem simple at first glance but upon deeper listening, they express the bittersweet reality of seeing a child grow up. The song starts with the singer reminiscing about holding the child in the palm of his hand and marveling at how they change with every blink. Time seems to be moving too fast just like the fleeting nature of a blooming flower. The chorus then acts as a plea to parents and loved ones to cherish and accept the child for who they are now. To let them be little, to give them hope, praise, and love daily. To allow them to express themselves and to have freedom to experience life. He acknowledges that this precious soul will eventually grow up and become independent, drifting away from their parent's protective sphere of influence.
In the second half of the song, he reflects on how the child has changed him in ways only a child could. He feels utterly grateful for the everyday teachings, and for the pure and innocent love of the child. He begs his higher power to allow the child to be little for just a little while longer. The emotions turn bittersweet as he realizes that it's almost time to let the child go, but he's comforted by the memories of the child and the beautiful moments they've shared.
Billy Dean's Let Them Be Little is a beautiful and moving tribute to the fleeting nature of childhood and the importance of cherishing and safeguarding it. It's a reminder that in guiding and nurturing young people, we must allow them to flourish in their own way, give them space to feel, laugh, and cry as they explore the world in their unique way.
Line by Line Meaning
I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand.
Reflecting on how small the child used to be and how good it feels to hold them.
Felt so good in it, no bigger than a minute.
The child was so small and precious that it felt good to hold them, they were only tiny for a short time.
How it amazes me, you're changing with every blink.
The child grows up so quickly, every blink sees more changes than the last.
Faster than a flower blooms they grow up all too soon.
Children grow up quickly, faster than flowers bloom and fade.
Let them be little, cause they're only that way for a while.
Allow the child to be small and innocent, as they will only be like this for a short time.
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love, every day.
Encourage and love the child every day, give them hope and praise to help them grow.
Let em cry, let em giggle, let them sleep in the middle.
Allow children to experience a range of emotions, cry when they need to, laugh when they can, and let them sleep with parents if they want.
I've never felt so much in one little tender touch.
The smallest touch from a child can evoke intense feelings and emotions.
I live for those kisses, prayers and your wishes.
As a parent or guardian, the small things like kisses, prayers, and wishes from children are what make life worth living.
Now that you're teaching me things only a child can see.
Children can show adults a different perspective on the world, teaching them things that only a child can see.
Every night while we're on our knees all I ask is please.
Asking for the child to remain safe and healthy as they grow up, as this is all a parent can truly hope for.
So innocent, a precious soul, you turn around.
The child is so innocent and precious, it's hard to believe how quickly they grow up.
Its time to let them go.
As the child grows up, it's time to let them have more independence and freedom.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Anthem Entertainment
Written by: BILLY H. DEAN, RICHIE MCDONALD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
dangym05
My wife divorced me when my daughter had turned 3. I made it a point to stay in her life, and to attend all the school events. At her first Father/Daughter dance, this was the song that was played as the slow dance. As I held her up in my arms and danced, she looked at me and whispered, "Daddy, why are you r eyes wet ?" I will NEVER forget that moment ......and she is still the only person that can make Daddy's eyes get wet.
Tabby B
Beautiful sentiment. As a former little girl myself, we do love our Daddy's. And we do remember the special times.
dangym05
I tell everybody who asks, “Best job I ever had…..”. I volunteered to be the chaperone at her 8th grade dance next month because I know it’s the last time I’ll see her at one of these functions. Too damn fast…..
Adrian Alaffa
Awww
CatG
@Tabby B we do remember them and we will always miss the kisses, hugs and snuggles, that feeling of safety that only a Daddy’s love could provide.
Tabby B
@CatG Made me cry! My Daddy passed this last March.
Classroom Goddess
This song came out when my kids were little. They're not so little now, but this song still brings tears to my eyes and it is one of my favorite Billy Dean songs - and a big reason that I'm jealous that my mother got a selfie with him this weekend!!
Calamity Jane - (#2988)
They played this during my grandson's kindergarten graduation yesterday, and I don't believe there was a dry eye in the house. God bless the little ones; they are our future. :)
Christopher or Chris/Critter C
As before school assistant teacher and assistant teacher in daycare before and starting Monday they are so sweet and kind it's amazing seeing them grow up
Briana South
This song was played at my sister's funeral 16 years ago. This song to this day still makes me cry. But there are days that I just need to hear it because I need to cry. Thanks you so much for this song!!!!