Cab Calloway (December 25, 1907–November 18, 1994) was a famous American ja… Read Full Bio ↴Cab Calloway (December 25, 1907–November 18, 1994) was a famous American jazz singer and bandleader. Calloway was a master of energetic scat singing and led one of the United States' most popular African American big bands from the start of the 1930s through the late 1940s. Calloway's Orchestra featured performers that included trumpeters Dizzy Gillespie and Adolphus "Doc" Cheatham, saxophonists Ben Webster and Leon "Chu" Berry, New Orleans guitar ace Danny Barker, and bassist Milt Hinton. Calloway continued to perform right up until his death in 1994 at the age of 86.

More at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cab_Calloway

Dinah
Cab Calloway & His Orchestra Lyrics

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Dinah
Is there anyone finer
In the state of Carolina?
If there is and you know her
Show her!

Oh Dinah
With her Dixie eyes blazin', baby

How I love to sit and gaze in
To the eyes of Dinah Lee

Every little night why do I shake with fright?
Because my Dinah might
Change her mind about lovin' me, baby

Oh baby darling Dinah
If you ever wandered to China

I would hop an ocean liner
Just to be with Dinah Lee

Overall Meaning

The song Dinah was made popular in the 1930s by Cab Calloway, which is a playful love song with a catchy tune that makes it easy to dance to. The song starts by highlighting the beauty of Dinah, asking whether there is anyone finer in the state of Carolina. The singer seems to be impressed by Dinah's beauty and challenges the listeners, asking them to bring forth anyone who is finer than her. Calloway's performance is quite lively and it emphasizes the joy and excitement the singer feels in Dinah's presence.

The lyrics go on to describe Dinah's eyes, which are referred to as "Dixie eyes blazin'", suggesting a sense of fiery passion. The singer loves to stare into her eyes and seems captivated by her beauty. The lyrics then take a turn, expressing the singer's anxiety about the possibility of Dinah changing her mind about him. He says he shakes with fright because he knows that there is a chance that Dinah might no longer love him. This anxiety shows the depth of the singer's love for Dinah and hints that he is willing to do anything to keep her.

Overall, the song Dinah is a joyful love song that highlights the beauty of the woman of interest. The music is upbeat and catchy, making it a song that can easily make listeners dance and sing along.

Line by Line Meaning

Dinah
Addressing a person named Dinah

Is there anyone finer
Asking if there is anyone more fine than Dinah

In the state of Carolina?
Questioning if anyone in the Carolina state is more fine than Dinah

If there is and you know her
If there is someone finer and you are aware of her

Show her!
Then bring her forward to be shown

Oh Dinah
Addressing Dinah again

With her Dixie eyes blazin', baby
Describing Dinah's fiery eyes

How I love to sit and gaze in
Expressing the love for looking at Dinah's eyes

To the eyes of Dinah Lee
To gaze into the eyes of Dinah Lee

Every little night why do I shake with fright?
Wondering why he is frightened every night

Because my Dinah might
This is because Dinah might

Change her mind about lovin' me, baby
Change her mind about loving him

Oh baby darling Dinah
Addressing Dinah affectionately as a baby name

If you ever wandered to China
If Dinah ever goes to China

I would hop an ocean liner
He would cross the ocean

Just to be with Dinah Lee
Just to be with Dinah Lee and not let the distance affect the relationship

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Akst, Samuel M. Lewis, Joseph Young

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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