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.
Isn't It Romantic
Joni James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't forget you
I've thought you out, dear
I know your profile and I know the way you kiss
Just the thing I miss
On a night like this
If dreams are made of imagination
I'm not afraid of my own creation
Why should I quake?
I'm not awake
Isn't it romantic?
Music in the night, a dream that can be heard.
Isn't it romantic?
Moving shadows write the oldest magic word.
I hear the breezes playing in the trees above
While all the world is saying you were meant for love.
Isn't it romantic
Merely to be young on such a night as this?
Isn't it romantic?
Every note that's sung is like a lover's kiss.
Sweet symbols in the moonlight,
Do you mean that I will fall in love per chance?
Isn't it romance?
[Instrumental
I hear the breezes playing in the trees above
While all the world is saying you were meant for love.
Isn't it romantic
Merely to be young on such a night as this?
Isn't it romantic?
Every note that's sung is like a lover's kiss.
Sweet symbols in the moonlight,
Do you mean that I will fall in love per chance?
Isn't it romance?
Isn't it romance?
Isn't it romance?
In Joni James's song "Isn't It Romantic," the singer expresses her romantic fantasies about a person she has never met. She is infatuated with this person and has conjured up an image of them in her head. She describes knowing their profile and the way they kiss, and on a night like this, she misses them even though they have never met. She acknowledges the power of imagination, and with all her heart, she is willing to give herself to this person she has never met. She is not afraid of her own creation and trusts that the romantic image she has built will come to fruition. The singer goes on to describe how romantic it is to be young on a night like this. The music in the night and the moving shadows work together to create the "oldest magic word." She hears the breezes playing in the trees above, suggesting an idyllic and peaceful setting that lends itself to romantic feelings.
Overall, the song depicts how powerful the imagination can be in fostering romantic feelings. The singer has never met this person but is already so enamored with them that she is willing to give them her heart.
Line by Line Meaning
I've never met you, yet never doubt you
Although we have yet to cross paths, I have a steadfast belief in you.
I can't forget you
Your presence is permanently etched in my mind.
I've thought you out, dear
I have taken time to envision and contemplate your being, my love.
I know your profile and I know the way you kiss
I have studied your character and your intimate ways, my darling.
Just the thing I miss
I long for the touch of your lips and the warmth of your embrace.
On a night like this
During a moment as magical as this one.
If dreams are made of imagination
If our visions are built on the power of our own minds.
I'm not afraid of my own creation
I have no fear in what my mind conjures when thinking of you, my love.
With all my heart my heart is here for you to take
I offer my whole heart to you, and yours to take.
Why should I quake?
Why should I be in fear or tremble, when my love for you is unwavering?
I'm not awake
Perhaps this love is but a dream, or maybe it is my eternal reality.
Isn't it romantic?
Is there anything more romantic than this moment?
Music in the night, a dream that can be heard.
The melodies of this night are so sweet, it's as if they were crafted within my dreams.
Moving shadows write the oldest magic word.
The dancing shadows painted upon us carry with them the power of love's ancient magic.
I hear the breezes playing in the trees above
The whispers of wind amidst the leaves above bring an essence of nature into this wondrous moment.
While all the world is saying you were meant for love.
As if the whole universe is whispering to us, indicating that our union is destined for love.
Merely to be young on such a night as this?
Is there anything more magical than being young, in love, and experiencing a moment as special as this one?
Every note that's sung is like a lover's kiss.
Each sound that touches my ear feels like your tender touch upon my lips.
Sweet symbols in the moonlight,
These beautiful reflections of moonbeams are symbols of our love and devotion.
Do you mean that I will fall in love per chance?
Is it possible that fate has brought us together, and that love was meant to bloom between us?
Isn't it romance?
This feeling of romance, this moment of pure magic - it's indescribable and breathtaking.
Writer(s): RICHARD RODGERS, LORENZ HART
Contributed by Michael P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Paper Darts
Thank you catman916 for this gorgeous post. Joni James is one of those miracles that comes to our shores once in a lifetime. Such taste, such perfection, such phrasing, such voice. There will never be another Joni James. To me, her voice is like a stairway to heaven...it's so pure, supreme and high and so hold-on-to-that-note. It's always in perfect pitch no matter how high she goes up (the higher, the better)!
Ernesto Musngi
I love her voice! can't get enough of Joni!
maureen1938
GORGEOUS.....What a beautiful song sung by an awesome singer. I love it, thanks soooo much for posting.
Wayne Brasler
Two versions of this recording; the mono release was the entire performance. The stereo version was edited down in the USA release but left complete in the British release. Why? Because stateside M-G-M was concerned about the album being so long the sound quality was being compromised in the L.P. grooves nearest the label on the disc.