Joni James - Little Things Mean A Lot (1959)

[sauquoit13456]

On December 28th, 1959 Joni James' "Little Things Mean A Lot" entered Billboard's Hot Top 100; eventually it would peak at #35 and spent 9 weeks in the Top 100...

The most successful version of this song was by Kitty Kallen, on June 5th, 1954 it reached #1 {for 9 weeks} on Billsboard's Best Sellers chart and was also #1 on the U.K. charts...

Also in 1954 British singer Alma Cogan's version reached #11 in the U.K. and in 1985 Irish singer Dana's version peaked at #27 in Ireland...

[MUZETTA1954]

My gosh, how many times did I fall in love with this song always around somewhere. It is so tender, so sweet. If I were 17 again as I was then, knowing what I now know, I would gather the whole universe in the palm of my hands like a little ball!....... I do miss my high school crowed, where have they gone to? Yes, Little things meant so much then... I miss those times....our fear then was getting caught smoking or drinking a glass of beer! he! Thanks for sharing all.

[Wordsmith37]

Who else remembers gingham dresses? Come on own up!  Thanks, Lime Popsicle.

[MUZETTA1954]

Me, loved ginghan dresses, skirts, still do!

[MUZETTA1954]

yes, thank so much for sharing, popsicle

[TheLimePopsicle]

@MUZETTA1954 You're welcome!

[LorraineNYYcfl]

thank you lime for this song. I have looked for it and never found it.

[TheLimePopsicle]

@LorraineNYYcfl You're welcome!

[RandBForThee]

Joni has one of the great expressive voices of all time, and it's on display here. Unfortunately, the heavy handed arrangement buries Joni's special interpretation.

[waynebrasler]

Joni never recorded "Wonderful, Wonderful," though that doesn't mean she might not yet. She hasn't recorded in a while but that could change. She sounds exactly the same as here.

[waynebrasler]

The song was written for Joni but the writers could not get it to her at M-G-M Records so it ended up with Kitty Kallen at Decca. M-G-M wanted Joni to do a cover version but she said it wouldn't be right, having had song after song stolen from her. FIve years later she decided to do with a rock beat and had a hit with it and this is that record, recorded in Los Angeles with Gus Levine arranging and conducting.

[TheCatgirl6]

Does anyone know if Miss James recorded the Johnny Mathis standard "Wonderful! Wonderful!"? I've been trying to track down the female vocalist of that song (used to hear it in the late sixties/early seventies in Chicago) for ages!

[BFW3405]

I had the pleasure of seeing Joni James years ago and will never forget how much I enjoyed her performance - I had a friend look at me across the room last evening and smile and wink - it made me think of Joni and this song - thanks for posting this wonderful memory

[t69gto]

Awesome tune! Thanks for the post Lime.

[edwclint]

Joni was in a class by herself....she could make any song her own. I grew up listening to this great and beautiful lady.......Thanks

[buzzroller1]

I went to high school in Vancouver Canada between 1948-54. This was the pre-Elvis ballad era and there were so many great male-female singers. We all loved Patti and Teresa and Jo and Doris...but none was more entrancing than Joni James. I googled her name on the off chance someone would post her work on UTube, and bingo! Thank you, Lime Popsicle...I will treasure this site! Old guy, young memory. Cheers!

[TheLimePopsicle]

@buzzroller1 You're very welcome, thanks for commenting!

[Srylklr]

I just recently heard of Joni James, she is hot. Her voice is so clear,beautiful, I love her.Where has she been all my life. Thankyou to all of the people that have posted Joni James on You Tube.

[nancyfloressantos]

One of Joni James' best songs.

[Jesjane39]

Yes, little things do mean alot. It means

alot to me that someone took the time

to post this beautiful song. Thanks so

much.

[TheLimePopsicle]

You're very welcome!

[12Fegens]

As we go through life we do find out

"little things" mean alot.

This is a super version of the song by

Joni.