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.

It Had to Be You
Joni James Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It had to be you, it had to be you.
I wandered around and finally found the somebody who
Could make me be true, could make me feel blue,
And even be glad just to be sad thinkin' of you.

Some others I've seen might never be mean
Might never be cross or try to be boss,
But they wouldn't do.

For nobody else gave me a thrill.
With all your faults, I love you still,
It had to be you, wonderful you,
It had to be you.

It had to be you, it had to be you.
I wandered around and finally found somebody who
Could make me be true, could make me be blue,
And even be glad just to be sad thinkin' of you.

Some others I've seen might never be mean
Might never be cross or try to be boss,
But they wouldn't do.

For nobody else gave me a thrill.
With all your faults, I love you still.

It had to be you, wonderful you

It had to be you.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Joni James's song "It Had to Be You" express an intense and romantic attachment to someone who is flawed, but still captivating to the singer. The song opens with the assertion that the person being addressed is the only one who can make the singer feel the way they do, and who has the power to inspire both true affection and melancholy. The phrase "could make me feel blue" suggests that this is a complex and somewhat bittersweet relationship, but one that is necessary and meaningful to the singer.

The second verse continues in this vein, with the singer suggesting that while there may be others who are less difficult or challenging, they wouldn't be able to capture their heart in the same way. This line, "For nobody else gave me a thrill" is especially powerful, as it suggests that the attraction between the two people is not just emotional, but physical as well. Finally, the song concludes by repeating the title phrase and affirming that this person is "wonderful" -- despite their faults, they are the only one for the singer.

Line by Line Meaning

It had to be you, it had to be you.
You were destined to be the one for me.

I wandered around and finally found the somebody who
I searched for a long time before finding the right person.

Could make me be true, could make me feel blue,
You bring out the best and worst in me, in a good way.

And even be glad just to be sad thinkin' of you.
Even when I'm sad, I find comfort in thoughts of you.

Some others I've seen might never be mean
I've met other people who are nice all the time.

Might never be cross or try to be boss,
They don't get angry or try to control things.

But they wouldn't do.
But they don't have the same effect on me as you do.

For nobody else gave me a thrill.
No one else excites me the way you do.

With all your faults, I love you still,
You're not perfect, but I still love you unconditionally.

It had to be you, wonderful you,
You are amazing and irreplaceable.

It had to be you.
I am so thankful that it's you and no one else.