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.
Someone to Watch over Me
Joni James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Still were often told, seek and ye shall find
So I'm going to seek a certain lad I've had in mind
Looking everywhere, haven't found him yet
Hes the big affair I cannot forget
Only man I ever think of with regret
I'd like to add his initial to my monogram
There's a somebody I'm longing to see
I hope that he turns out to be
Someone who'll watch over me
I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood
I know I could always be good
Someone who'll watch over me
Although he may not be the man some
Girls think of as handsome
To my heart he carries the key
Won't you tell him please to put on some speed
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
Someone to watch over me
Joni James's song "Someone to Watch over Me" is a lament about the search for love. The first two lines set the tone for the rest of the song. There's a saying old that love is blind, but still, we are often told to seek and ye shall find. It's clear that the singer has been looking everywhere for a man she has in mind but hasn't found him yet. She deeply desires the man she's been thinking about, and he's the big affair she cannot forget. He's the only man she ever thinks of with regret, and she wants to add his initials to her monogram. However, she needs to know where the shepherd is for this lost lamb.
In the chorus, she portrays herself as a little lamb lost in the wood and desires someone who will watch over her. She's longing to see somebody, and she hopes that he turns out to be the someone who'll watch over her. She's had difficulty finding the right man, and even though he may not be the man some girls think of as handsome, he carries the key to her heart. She asks whoever hears the song to tell him to put on some speed and follow her lead because she needs someone to watch over her.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a saying old says that love is blind
Love is an emotion that can obscure our judgment and perception.
Still were often told, seek and ye shall find
Despite love being blind, people are encouraged to search for it regardless.
So I'm going to seek a certain lad I've had in mind
In pursuit of love, the singer is actively searching for a specific person.
Looking everywhere, haven't found him yet
Despite searching, the singer has been unsuccessful in finding the person she's seeking.
Hes the big affair I cannot forget
The person the singer is searching for is a significant, unforgettable figure in her life.
Only man I ever think of with regret
Thoughts of this person evoke feelings of remorse in the singer.
I'd like to add his initial to my monogram
The singer is expressing a desire to have the person's name permanently intertwined with her own.
Tell me, where is the shepherd for this lost lamb?
The singer is seeking guidance and direction in finding the person she's searching for.
There's a somebody I'm longing to see
The singer has a strong desire to be reunited with the person she's searching for.
I hope that he turns out to be
The singer is wishing for the person to meet her expectations.
Someone who'll watch over me
The singer is hoping for someone to provide her with protection, guidance, and support.
I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood
The singer views herself as vulnerable and in need of assistance.
I know I could always be good
The singer believes that she is capable of being obedient and following instructions.
Although he may not be the man some girls think of as handsome
The singer acknowledges that the person she's searching for may not be conventionally attractive.
To my heart he carries the key
The person is the key to the singer's heart and emotions.
Won't you tell him please to put on some speed
The singer is requesting that someone encourages the person to hurry up and meet her.
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
The singer is requesting that the person follow her guidance in order to be with her.
Someone to watch over me
The singer repeats her desire for someone to protect, guide, and support her.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IRA GERSHWIN, GEORGE GERSHWIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Deborah HenadyKorba
They do not have great music like this anymore, however this is one of the greatest songs and Joni James is the perfect voice for "Someone to Watch Over Me" absolutely beautiful!!
Francis Alan Wormald
AS A LOVESICKTEEN IN 1953&54 JONI'S VOICE REACHED OUT TO SO MANY...INCLUDING ME....
eamestv
Simply wonderful!
Nora Johnson
probably the greatest love song ever written.....why don't we know more about Joni James? I know the name from my childhood...
Anthony Lombardo
SHE WAS MY PIN -UP PICTURE IN MY FOOT LOCKER LID, HER ANGELIC VOICE TUGGED AT MY HEART - AND CARRIED ME THROUGH THE ARMY DAYS DURING KOREAN WAR IN PANAMA. NO CHANGE HOW SHE MADE ME FEEL.
sambadc
I had to learn some of her tunes for a gig...and I feel like I am being punked. How is it that someone could have this many hits and I have never heard even her NAME mentioned, much less her voice. Weird.
Lawrence Glynn
Even at the top of her fame, she was always under appreciated. There were so many great female torch singers around that time. Not your fault.
joe a smythe
Joni, the girl for all seasons, so versatile and always wonderful
國松 陳
😚
jerry frasier
Joni James was the sweetheart of music during the 50s into the sixties....hit after hit....