Born in the Homewood neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she attended George Westinghouse High School and studied music at the Filion School of Music in Pittsburgh. Later she performed regularly in the Hill District, a jazz hotspot, as a vocalist with the Joe Westray Orchestra, a popular Pittsburgh orchestra. She next spent several years in the nightclub circuit in such cities as Detroit, Indianapolis, Cleveland and St. Louis. While in New York, she was noticed singing at a Harlem nightclub called the Baby Grand by Dave Cavanaugh, a producer for Capitol Records. She was signed and released several singles, her success leading her to win Down Beat magazine's "Most Promising Newcomer" award in 1955. In 1958, Staton wed Talib Dawud, a black Antigua-born Ahmadi Muslim trumpeter and noted critic of Elijah Muhammad. She subsequently converted to Islam and used the name Aliyah Rabia for some time. The marriage ultimately ended in divorce.
She released several critically acclaimed albums in the late 1950s and early 1960s, including: The Late, Late Show (1957), whose title track was her biggest hit, In the Night (1957), a collaboration with pianist George Shearing, Dynamic! (1958) and Dakota at Storyville (1961), a live album recorded at the Storyville jazz club in Boston. In the mid-1960s Staton moved to England, where she recorded the album Dakota ′67. Returning to the US in the early 1970s, she continued to record semi-regularly, her recordings taking an increasingly strong gospel and blues influence. She suffered a stroke in 1999, after which her health deteriorated. Staton died in New York City aged 76 in 2007.
The Late Late Show
Dakota Staton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you cuddle up and hold me tight
Stars above they seem to know
We're putting on the late late show
Hear the crazy music in the trees
See the flowers dancing in the breeze
Old man moon begins to glow
Bird's that should be dreaming
Start in chirping a song
While fireflies are gleaming
We kiss, mmm, kiss ooh, all night long
Then we amble back to my front door
Say goodnight and then we kiss some more
Guess you know I like you so
It started at the late late show
Gee it's cosy in the park tonight
When you cuddle up and hold me tight
Stars above they seem to know
We're putting on the late late show
Hear the crazy music in the trees
See the flowers dancing in the breeze
Old man moon begins to glow
He's joining in the late, late show
Bird's that should be dreaming
Start in chirping a song
While fireflies are gleaming
We kiss, mmm, kiss ooh, all night long
Then we amble back to my front door
Say goodnight and then we kiss some more
Guess you know I like you so
It started at the late late late late late late
At the late, late show
In "The Late Late Show," Dakota Staton and the George Shearing Quintet transport their listeners from the comfort of their own homes to a nighttime park setting. At this time, everything is a little quieter, a little more relaxed, and a little more intimate. The singers cuddle together tightly and watch as nature comes alive around them. They hear the "crazy music in the trees" and begin to see "flowers dancing in the breeze." As they enjoy their surroundings, they become part of the "late, late show" that is taking place around them. Even the Old Man Moon seems to be a part of it, by glowing brighter as the night progresses.
As the couple continues to spend their time in the park, they start to notice the other inhabitants of this world. In the midst of their kissing and cuddling, they begin to hear the chirping of singing birds and see the glowing of fireflies. They are wrapped up in the beauty of the night and everything that surrounds them. As the night comes to an end, they walk back to their starting point, feeling as if something important and life-changing has just taken place. They take one last moment to kiss before they say their goodbyes, with the singer letting us know that they "like [their partner] so."
"The Late Late Show" is a beautiful love song that encapsulates the magic of the night, the beauty of nature, and the healing power of love. It speaks to the moments in life that we cherish and never forget. It reminds us that no matter how simple or ordinary an experience may seem, when love is involved, it becomes something extraordinary and unforgettable.
Line by Line Meaning
Gee it's cosy in the park tonight
The atmosphere is warm and friendly tonight.
When you cuddle up and hold me tight
I feel secure and loved when I'm with you.
Stars above they seem to know
The stars are witness to our love.
We're putting on the late late show
Our love is a spectacle for all to see.
Hear the crazy music in the trees
Nature is alive and expressive tonight.
See the flowers dancing in the breeze
Nature is celebrating our love with us.
Old man moon begins to glow
The moon is shining its light on our love.
He's joining in the late, late show
Even the moon is partaking in our love spectacle.
Bird's that should be dreaming
The birds are awakened from their slumber by our love.
Start in chirping a song
The birds are vocalizing their joy for us.
While fireflies are gleaming
The fireflies are enhancing the magic of the night for us.
We kiss, mmm, kiss ooh, all night long
We are completely entranced by each other's love.
Then we amble back to my front door
We take a leisurely walk back to my house.
Say goodnight and then we kiss some more
We are unable to resist each other even though it's time to say goodbye.
Guess you know I like you so
I hope you realize how much I care for you.
It started at the late, late show
Our love affair began under the auspices of the night-time spectacle.
Lyrics © JONROY MUSIC COMPANY, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David D Cavanaugh, Roy Alfred
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jerome Dilligard
AWESOME artist My father used to play this album for his Club meetings.Then as a DJ I played it at alot of weddings during Cocktail hour. My family surprised my Dad and took him to see her perform in Manhattan..UNBELIEVABLE Talent..
Mike Winter
One of the most underrated jazz singers ever. This album is all time. Saw her in person in a little bar on forty-somethin off 6th in Manhattan. Fabulous.
Ellen Martin
I believe that was at Danny's. I would always go to those shows. The late great Burt Eckoff was her pianist then.He passed away earlier this year. As a singer, Burt and I had collaborated over a span of 32 years. He and Dakota were amazing!!!!!! "Burt Eckoff: A Pianist's Close Encounters With Jazz Greats! "An interview in All About Jazz online, Burt mentions his time he worked with Dakota. Extraordinary!!!!!
Thomas Murphy
envyenvyenvy. I have been mad about this woman her talent since I was 76 years. old. Miserably underrated! This album is a treasure. When I want to sing along and feel just great, I turn this on...like I did tonight!
mcorby53
Wow, I am 57 years old and just learned of her by chance when I saw her Late Late Show album in a thrift shop and was entranced by the picture; decided to take a chance (at 48 cents--not much risk) . Took it home and listened to it 5 times straight. I'm hooked. How in the world could I have never heard of her? Just ordered an album off ebay
Gary Elter
Mom introduced me to her in the 70's Her voice was a unique one of a kind.
Old-school Daze
My father had this album. As a kid I didn't get her sound. However, now I recognize the innocent joy in Dakota 's voice.
trumpsahead
I bought this album when it first came out. Dakota knocked me out. The spirit in that voice is so enthusiastic and honest. I thought I discovered a great talent but was disappointed then angry when I understood I would not hear much from Dakota because the media was pushing Sarah Vaughn over her. I always felt it was a deliberate move and such a shame. Her voice and style is sublime and though she sang for many years, she wasn't in the mainstream but for a very very short period. RIP.
Edie Anderson
I agree with your sentiment...in reality, there is enough room for everybody!
Jimi Hendrix-san
I honestly heard this on the radio only a few days ago and was taken aback by the energy in her voice. It feels genuine which is why I'm here now to be honest.