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.
Mama Don't Cry At My Wedding
Joni James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll grow up someday you′ll see
Saving all my kisses just for you
Signed with love
Forever true
Joni was the girl who lived next door
I've known her I guess 10 years or more
And this is what she had to say
Jimmy please say you'll wait for me
I′ll grow up someday you′ll see
Saving all my kisses just for you
Signed with love
Forever true
Slowly I read her note once more
Then I went over to the house next door
Her tear drops fell like rain that day
When I told Joni what I had to say
Joni, Joni please don't cry
You′ll forget me by and by
You're just fifteen
I′m twenty two
And Joni I just cant wait for you
Soon I left our little home town
Got me a job and tried to settle down
But these words kept haunting my memory
The words that Joni said to me
Jimmy please say you'll wait for me
I′ll grow up some day you'll see
Saving all my kisses just for you
Signed with love
Forever true
I packed my clothes
And I caught a plane
I had to see Joni
I had to explain
How my heart was filled
With her memory
And ask my Joni if she'd marry me
I ran all the way
To the house next door
But things weren′t like they were before
My tear drops fell like rain that day
When I heard what Joni had to say
Jimmy, Jimmy please don′t cry
You'll forget me by and by
It′s been five years since you've been gone
Jimmy I married your best friend John
The song "Mama Don't Cry At My Wedding" by Joni James is a poignant narrative about two childhood sweethearts, Jimmy and Joni, who were separated by circumstance but always held a special place in each other's hearts. The song is written in the first person with Jimmy as the singer, who recounts the bittersweet memories of his past with Joni. In the beginning, Joni writes a note to Jimmy expressing her love and desire to be with him someday. However, Jimmy realizes that he cannot wait for her because of their age difference, and he hopes that Joni will forget about him by and by.
Years later, when Jimmy has moved away and settled down with a job, he still cannot forget the words that Joni had written to him. He packs his bags and rushes back to his hometown to profess his love to Joni and ask for her hand in marriage. Unfortunately, his dreams come crashing down when he realizes that Joni has married his best friend, John. The song ends with Jimmy pleading with his mother not to cry at his wedding.
The lyrics of "Mama Don't Cry At My Wedding" are heart-wrenching and relatable, as many of us have experienced the pain of lost love or unrequited love. Joni James's soulful voice adds depth and emotion to the story, making it all the more poignant and memorable.
Line by Line Meaning
Jimmy please say you'll wait for me
Joni asks Jimmy to wait for her to grow up as she believes they belong together.
I'll grow up someday you'll see
Joni tells Jimmy that she will mature over time and will be ready for a relationship in the future.
Saving all my kisses just for you
Joni assures Jimmy that she is not giving her affection to anyone else, as she has saved it all for him.
Signed with love
Joni signs the note with heartfelt affection for Jimmy.
Forever true
Joni promises that her love for Jimmy will endure.
Joni was the girl who lived next door
Joni was Jimmy's neighbor and had known him for over 10 years.
I've known her I guess 10 years or more
Jimmy has known Joni for more than a decade.
Joni wrote me a note one day
Joni expressed her feelings to Jimmy through a written letter.
Slowly I read her note once more
Jimmy reads Joni's message carefully, trying to fully comprehend her words.
Then I went over to the house next door
Jimmy goes to Joni's house to discuss her letter with her.
Her tear drops fell like rain that day
Joni is emotional when Jimmy tells her he cannot be with her.
Joni, Joni please don't cry
Jimmy pleads with Joni to not cry over the situation.
You'll forget me by and by
Jimmy believes Joni will forget about him over time.
You're just fifteen
Jimmy acknowledges that Joni is still very young and has much growing to do.
I'm twenty two
Jimmy is older than Joni and does not wish to hold her back from maturing and experiencing life.
And Joni I just can't wait for you
Jimmy knows he cannot wait for Joni in the way that she wants him to.
Soon I left our little home town
Jimmy moves away to start a new life elsewhere.
Got me a job and tried to settle down
Jimmy finds work and tries to establish a life for himself in his new home.
But these words kept haunting my memory
The words Joni said to him continue to resonate with Jimmy long after he has left their hometown.
I packed my clothes and I caught a plane
Jimmy decides to go confess his love to Joni in person and flies back home.
I had to see Joni, I had to explain
Jimmy feels the need to talk to Joni and clarify his intentions.
How my heart was filled with her memory
Jimmy expresses to Joni that he has been thinking about her constantly and has never forgotten her.
And ask my Joni if she'd marry me
Jimmy asks Joni to be his wife.
But things weren't like they were before
When Jimmy returns to Joni, their relationship is not the same as it used to be.
When I heard what Joni had to say
Jimmy listens to Joni's response carefully.
Jimmy, Jimmy please don't cry
Joni pleads with Jimmy to not be upset with her decision.
You'll forget me by and by
Joni believes Jimmy will eventually move on from their relationship.
It's been five years since you've been gone
Joni has married someone else in the five years since Jimmy left their hometown.
Jimmy I married your best friend John
Joni confesses that she has married Jimmy's best friend, John.
Writer(s): Helen Hudgins
Contributed by Grace E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@pgh45rpms
Song was recorded later (1964) by Sue Thompson.