Joni James was born Giovanna Joan Carmella Babbo on Sept. 22, 1930 in Chica… Read Full Bio ↴Joni James was born Giovanna Joan Carmella Babbo on Sept. 22, 1930 in Chicago, IL. In her early years, she studied drama & ballet. After high school she toured Canada with a dance group. After taking a job as a chorus girl, she decided to pursue a singing career. MGM executives saw her in a TV commercial and she was signed by MGM in 1952.

She was the first American singer to record at Abbey Road Studios in England. Her fan base even included Asia and the Philippines. She had 7 top hits, including "Why Don't You Believe in Me?", "Your Cheating Heart," "Almost Always," and "Have You Heard?"

She married composer Tony Acquaviva in 1956. In 1964, she dropped out of the public eye to take care of him and did so until 1986, when Mr. Acquaviva passed away. She began to tour again in the 1990's. She was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

I Gave My Love
Joni James Lyrics

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The very thought of you makes my heart sing
Like an April breeze on the wings of spring,
And you appear in all your splendor,
My one and only love.

The shadows fall and spread their mystic charms
In the hush of night while you're in my arms.
I feel your lips, so warm and tender,

My one and only love.

The touch of your hand is like heaven,
A heaven that I've never known.
The blush on your cheek whenever I speak
Tells me that you are my own.

You fill my eager heart with such desire.
Ev'ry kiss you give sets my soul on fire.

I give myself in sweet surrender,
My one and only love.

Overall Meaning

In the song "I Gave My Love" by Joni James, the singer expresses profound emotions of love and devotion towards her partner. The lyrics convey a sense of overwhelming joy and happiness whenever the person she loves comes to her mind. The very thought of them makes her heart sing, comparing it to the refreshing feeling of an April breeze in spring. This illustrates the deep, positive impact that her loved one has on her life, bringing lightness and joy into her world.

As the song progresses, the imagery of nightfall and being enveloped in the shadows with her partner highlights the intimate and romantic moments they share together. The singer is filled with a sense of awe and admiration at the sight of her beloved in all their splendor, emphasizing that this person is her one and only love. The warmth and tenderness of their lips further emphasize the deep connection and affection between them, painting a picture of a love that is both tender and passionate.

The touch of her partner's hand is described as heavenly, indicating a sense of comfort, security, and bliss that their presence brings into her life. This connection is depicted as something truly special and remarkable, creating a feeling of love that surpasses anything she has experienced before. The blush on her partner's cheek when she speaks to them conveys a sense of reciprocity and affection, assuring her of their mutual love and belonging to each other.

In the final verses, the singer expresses her deep longing and desire for her partner, with each kiss setting her soul on fire. The act of giving herself in sweet surrender signifies the depth of her love and devotion, as she acknowledges her beloved as her one and only love. The lyrics capture the essence of a profound and all-encompassing love that consumes her heart and soul, painting a beautiful and heartfelt picture of a love that is both tender and passionate, deep and all-encompassing.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Guy B. Wood, Robert Mellin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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