Dearest Darling
Bo Diddley Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Dearest darling
Dearest darling
Dearest darling

Don't you know
The lord above
Created you
Just for me to love

Picked you out
From all the rest
Because he knew I loved you best

Dearest darling
Dearest darling
Dearest darling, take my hand, take my hand

I once had a heart
So trill and true
But now it's gone
From me to you

Take care of it
Like I have done
For you have two hearts
And I have none

Dearest darling
Dearest darling
Dearest, yeah yeah, dearest, yeah yeah
Dearest, yeah yeah, dearest, yeah yeah
Darling, yeah yeah, darling, yeah yeah

If I get to heaven
Before you do
I'll try to make a hole
And pull you through

Woah, dearest, dearest, dearest

If I go to heaven
And you not there
I'm gonna write your name
On the heavenly stair

If you aren't there
By turn of day
Then I know baby
You know the way





Woah, dearest, dearest, dearest
Oh sweet baby, oh sweet baby, oh, oh, oh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bo Diddley's "Dearest Darling" express deep and sincere love for someone special. The singer tells their dear one that they were made for each other by the Lord above. The song enfolds with the singer's confession of how once they had a heart that was true and real but now that heart is gone to the one they are singing to. They urge them to take care of that heart like they have done and suggests that now the loved one has two hearts while they have none. The heartfelt lyrics of the song not only express love but also a sense of longing, as the singer realizes they must soon depart from their loved one. The song ends with the assurance that the singer will do everything they can to keep their loved one close to them, whether on Earth or in heaven.


The lyrics to "Dearest Darling" are a testament to the power of love, and the song's slow, deeply romantic rhythm heightens this feeling. One of the most interesting facts about the song is that it was a crossover success, reaching #11 on the R&B charts and #48 on the pop charts when it first came out. Another fascinating piece of trivia is that the song's rhythm is based around the "Bo Diddley beat," a distinctive rhythm that he originated and helped make famous. "Dearest Darling" is also notable for its use of a female backup singer, Gloria Lynne, who adds a layer of warmth to the song's sound.


Additionally, "Dearest Darling" was originally released on Chess Records, one of the most renowned blues record labels of the mid-20th century. The label also released music from artists like John Lee Hooker and Howlin' Wolf, two other legendary figures in the blues genre. Despite the label's focus on the blues, "Dearest Darling" showcases Bo Diddley's versatility as an artist, with its gentle, romantic lyrics and soft melody. The song was also covered by a number of other artists, including the Grateful Dead, whose version featured Jerry Garcia on lead vocals.


Chords: E A B (Verse), E A B B7 (Chorus)


Line by Line Meaning

Dearest darling
The singer repeatedly calls out to their beloved


Don't you know
Questioning the listener's knowledge


The lord above
The higher power of the universe


Created you
Designed you to exist in this universe


Just for me to love
Suggests the divine purpose of their beloved is to be loved by the singer


Picked you out
Selected their beloved from a wider pool of potential love interests


From all the rest
Suggests their beloved was chosen over others


Because he knew I loved you best
The higher power of the universe knew that the singer loved their beloved best


Dearest darling, take my hand, take my hand
The singer offering to hold the listener's hand


I once had a heart
The singer is referring to their own heart


So trill and true
Their heart had once been pure


But now it's gone
The singer no longer feels the same way


From me to you
Now their love has been transferred to the listener


Take care of it
The singer is asking the listener to cherish their love


Like I have done
The singer has looked after their love for the listener


For you have two hearts
The singer has given their heart to the listener


And I have none
The singer is now without a heart


Dearest, yeah yeah, dearest, yeah yeah
The singer reiterating how dear their beloved is to them


Dearest, yeah yeah, dearest, yeah yeah
The singer repeating how dear their beloved is to them


Darling, yeah yeah, darling, yeah yeah
The singer calling their beloved "darling"


If I get to heaven
The singer is referring to the afterlife


Before you do
The singer is hoping to reach heaven before their beloved


I'll try to make a hole
The singer will try to make a way for their beloved to join them


And pull you through
The singer will help their beloved access heaven


Woah, dearest, dearest, dearest
The singer repeating how dear their beloved is to them


If I go to heaven
The singer is talking about their own possible entrance to heaven


And you not there
The singer is fearful that their beloved may not be in heaven with them


I'm gonna write your name
The singer will try to immortalize their beloved in heaven


On the heavenly stair
Reference to a staircase that leads to heaven


If you aren't there
The singer worries that their beloved may not have made it to heaven


By turn of day
Before the day has ended


Then I know baby
The singer will know that their beloved has made it to heaven


You know the way
Suggesting that their beloved will find a way to get to heaven


Oh sweet baby, oh sweet baby, oh, oh, oh
The singer calling their beloved a "sweet baby"




Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management
Written by: Ellas Mcdaniel

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Alan Jankowski

He may be known for the "Bo Diddley Beat" but he happens to be one of the most underrated writers of all time...amazing lyrics here...

Stephen McGuire

And gave the Beatles a lesson in "Yeah, yeah..."

Brian French

Yes! A great love song...with FEELING!

Amarne consulting

His finest song. He had it all with his rhumba shuffle. Saw him many times. If I get to heaven before you do ....

Bill Niland

I had the privilege of meeting Bo at Paul's Mall in Boston. When I was introduced to him, I wasn't sure if I should call him Bo or Mr Diddley!! He ordered a Brandy Alexander, and we had a nice talk. As mentioned here, he was a brilliant lyricist and electronic geniusย  to develop that unique sound.. Thank You Bo

Johan Hougaard

one of my go to love songs forever <3

Jack Hornung

the greatest love song.

boatstrips

Best love song ever written

Marie Villa

Blast this song for my dad!

larch larch

I love Bo Diddley!

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