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.
Why Was I Born
Joni James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With nothing to do
But to live in dreams that I make up
All by myself
Dreaming that you're beside me
I picture the prettiest stories
Only to wake up
What is the good of me by myself?
Why was I born
Why am I living
What do I get
What am I giving
Why do I want a thing
I daren't hope for
What can I hope for
I wish I knew
Why do I try
To draw you near me
Why do I do I cry
You never hear me
I'm a poor fool
But what can I do
Why was I born
To love you
I'm a poor fool
But what can I do
Why was I born
To love you
In Joni James's song "Why Was I Born," the lyrics depict the feelings of loneliness and longing for someone who is not there. The singer finds themselves spending their evenings alone, with nothing to do except escape into their own dreams and fantasies. They yearn for the presence of the person they desire, picturing beautiful stories in their mind, only to wake up to reality, where they are left alone again.
The lyrics question the purpose of their existence and the meaning of their life. They ponder why they were born and why they are living, as they feel a deep sense of emptiness and lack of fulfillment. They contemplate what they receive and what they give in return, suggesting a feeling of imbalance or dissatisfaction in their relationships or personal endeavors.
The song portrays a desperate longing for something they dare not hope for, and a sense of uncertainty about what they can hope for in the future. The singer expresses their confusion as to why they try to draw the person they love closer to them, even though it seems futile, and why their cries for attention and affection go unheard. They acknowledge their own foolishness in persisting with these feelings, yet feel helpless to change their situation.
Ultimately, the song captures the paradoxical nature of love and longing, questioning why the singer was born to love this person despite the challenges and pain it brings. It evokes a sense of vulnerability and the universal struggle of seeking connection and meaning in the face of loneliness and unrequited love.
Line by Line Meaning
Spending these lonesome evenings
Passing the time in solitude
With nothing to do
Without any activities or distractions
But to live in dreams that I make up
Creating imaginary scenarios to escape reality
All by myself
In complete isolation
Dreaming that you're beside me
Imagining your presence next to me
I picture the prettiest stories
Constructing beautiful narratives in my mind
Only to wake up
Only to face the harsh reality
All by myself
Alone once again
What is the good of me by myself?
What purpose or value do I have alone?
Why was I born
The existential question of my existence
Why am I living
Questioning the reason for my life
What do I get
What do I receive or gain
What am I giving
Reflecting on what I contribute or offer
Why do I want a thing I daren't hope for
Why do I desire something I'm afraid to wish for
What can I hope for
What possibilities are available to me
I wish I knew
Expressing a longing for answers or understanding
Why do I try to draw you near me
Why do I make efforts to bring you closer to me
Why do I do I cry
Why do I shed tears
You never hear me
You never listen to my pleas or emotions
I'm a poor fool
I am a foolish person with little wisdom
But what can I do
Yet I have limited options or abilities
Why was I born
Repeating the question of my purpose
To love you
To have an intense affection for you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
joe a smythe
First time I have heard Joni sing this, wonderful. Thanks John, feeling better now ?
Paper Darts
So heavenly and soaring voice. She nailed it from the first note!
Wayne Brasler
Joni was not feeling well when she decided to go ahead and record this album anyway (ever the trooper) to keep her recording session commitments (ever the prepared and faithful professional) to M-G-M. This album was arranged in higher keys than she'd sung with before but that turned out perfect for the repertoire she was singing. The string and woodwind choir David Terry arranged for this album sounds like something out of heaven and so does Joni. Helen Morgan would have approved.
Gregory Miller
Joni could sing the phone book and it would be a major hit. A fellow female officer took Joni's song There Must Be A Way home, learned it and sang it to me, too bad she was married, otherwise by the way she sang it we would be married! Beth really came through with the song!
Amber Card
this song says all of my life
jtls8
Thank you for posting! Thank you john for sending.