In an unforgettable chapter of country music history, the song “Don’t Cry Joni” stands out as the most remarkable collaboration by Conway Twitty—and it features none other than his sixteen-year-old daughter, Joni Lee. This heartfelt duet was released in 1975 and managed to climb up to No. 63 on the US Billboard Hot 100, a significant achievement especially since it was one of only two major hits Conway had outside of his duets with Loretta Lynn.
Penned by Conway Twitty himself, “Don’t Cry Joni” spins an emotional story of young love and heartbreak. The lyrics reveal a fifteen-year-old girl, Joni, who harbors a deep crush on her twenty-two-year-old neighbor, Jimmy. She pleads with Jimmy to wait for her so that they may marry one day, singing with unwavering devotion:
“Jimmy, please say you’ll wait for me. I’ll grow up someday you’ll see. Savin’ all my kisses just for you. Signed with love forever true,” she begs.
The response from Jimmy is an agonizing blow to young hearts everywhere: “Joni, Joni, please don’t cry. You’ll forget me by and by. You’re just fifteen, I’m twenty-two. Joni, I just can’t wait for you.”
This crushing truth brought Joni to tears, embodying the pain of young love unfulfilled. As the song unfolds, Jimmy moves away seeking love elsewhere but cannot shake the memory of Joni’s earnest words. Five years later, he returns to realize that despite their age gap, Joni could be the woman of his dreams—only to face the devastating truth that she has married his best friend, John.
Despite being surrounded by musical talent, Conway Twitty was cautious about thrusting his children into the country limelight. His other children, Kathy and Mike, who attempted country careers under alter egos, found little success. However, driven by determination, young Joni Lee was determined to pursue music. After prolonged resistance, Conway gave in but decided to test the waters with a duet of a song he had originally written years earlier.
What followed was a surprise for Joni. Conway invited her for a recording session where she believed her vocals would later be replaced by a professional singer—a revelation Conway held back.
Reflecting on the moment, Joni exclaimed to Billboard, “I had no idea I was going to be on the actual record. Dad kind of tricked me.”
When the song hit the airwaves and became an incredible hit, Conway finally admitted that her voice was kept on the track—turning their duet into a chart-topping sensation.
During her college days in Virginia, a proud Joni recalled calling radio stations, urging them to play this heartfelt track by Conway Twitty and his daughter. This genuine, emotional ballad remains a testament to family bonds, dreams, and the bittersweet realities of love.
The story behind “Don’t Cry Joni” is not just about music; it’s a raw, poignant journey that touches the soul and stirs feelings that resonate across generations, especially for those who have ever known the longing pangs of youthful love and unexpected heartbreak.
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Lyric
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 trueJoni was the girl who lived next door
I’ve known her I guess 10 years or more
Joni wrote me a note one day
And this is what she had to sayJimmy 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 trueSlowly 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 sayJoni, 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 youSoon 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 meJimmy 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 trueI 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 meI 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 sayJimmy, 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
