An actress, singer, talk show host, and author, the multi-talented Reese first started singing in church in her hometown of Detroit when she was six years old. By the age of 13, she was touring with gospel great Mahalia Jackson; then, at 18, she formed the Meditation Singers and became the first performer to bring gospel music to the casinos of Las Vegas. Reese expanded her musical repertoire as a vocalist with the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra and began recording albums, with such hits as "Don't You Know" and "And That Reminds Me" in the 1950s. She appeared extensively as a guest on the top television variety series, logging more than 20 appearances in one year on The Ed Sullivan Show on the CBS Television Network. Reese was nominated for a Grammy Award as Best Female Soloist in Gospel Music in 1987.
Tapping into her other skills, she was host of a television talk show in 1969-1970, then began guest-starring in such series as Sanford and Son, The A-Team, Crazy Like a Fox and Picket Fences. She starred in the CBS Network series Charlie & Co. and The Royal Family. Reese's current projects include a new album based on her 27-city tour with her revue, "Some of My Best Friends Are the Blues," as well as song on the Touched By An Angel Soundtrack. Her best-selling autobiography, "Angels Along the Way," is published by G.P. Putnam's Sons. Reese also starred in the telefilms Emma's Wish, with Joanna Kerns, and The Secret Path, with Ossie Davis.
Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend
Della Reese Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
May be quite continental,
But diamonds are a girl's best friend.
A kiss may be grand
But it won't pay the rental
On your humble flat
Or help you at the automat
Men grow cold
As girls grow old,
And we all lose our charms in the end
But square-cut or pear-shaped,
These rocks don't lose their shape.
Diamonds are a girl's best friend
The French are glad to die for love
They delight in fighting duels
But I prefer a man who lives
And gives expensive jewels
There may come a time
When a lass needs a lawyer,
But diamonds are a girl's best friend.
There may come a time
When a hard-boiled employer
Thinks you're awful nice,
But get that ice or else no dice.
He's your guy
When stocks are high,
But beware when they start to descend
It's then that those louses
Go back to their spouses.
Diamonds are a girl's best friend
Diamonds are a girl's best friend
It's been proven beyond the shadow of a doubt
That diamonds area girl's only friend
I've heard of affairs
That are strictly platonic,
But diamonds are a girl's best friend.
And I think affairs
That you must keep liaisonic
Are better bets
If little pets get big baguettes.
Time rolls on,
And youth is gone,
And you can't straighten up when you bend.
But stiff back
Or stiff knees,
You stand straight at Tiffany's.
Diamonds! Diamonds!
I don't mean rhinestones!
But diamonds are a girl's best friend.
The song "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" by Della Reese is a playful and satirical commentary on the relationship between women and material possessions, specifically diamonds. The first verse establishes the idea that while a kiss on the hand may be charming, it's not practical for paying bills or buying food. The song then goes on to suggest that men are temporary companions and that diamonds are a more reliable source of happiness and security for women.
The second verse uses a contrast between the romanticized idea of a man willing to die for love and the reality of a man who can afford to buy expensive jewels to suggest that material possessions are a more valuable demonstration of affection. The third verse implies that even legal or work-related needs can be met through the acquisition of diamonds.
The song's repeated refrain that "diamonds are a girl's best friend" emphasizes the irony that while diamonds are inanimate objects, they are often valued more than human relationships. Overall, the song is a tongue-in-cheek take on the cultural obsession with material possessions and the idea that women's worth is determined by the amount of wealth they possess.
Line by Line Meaning
A kiss on the hand
May be quite continental,
But diamonds are a girl's best friend.
A kiss may be fancy, but it doesn't pay the bills like diamonds do.
A kiss may be grand
But it won't pay the rental
On your humble flat
Or help you at the automat
A kiss is nice, but it doesn't contribute to the practical aspects of life like rent or food.
Men grow cold
As girls grow old,
And we all lose our charms in the end
But square-cut or pear-shaped,
These rocks don't lose their shape.
Diamonds are a girl's best friend
While looks fade and people grow apart, diamonds remain valuable and beautiful no matter what.
The French are glad to die for love
They delight in fighting duels
But I prefer a man who lives
And gives expensive jewels
Some people may die for love, but Della would rather have a man who can afford to give her diamonds while still being alive.
There may come a time
When a lass needs a lawyer,
But diamonds are a girl's best friend.
While legal aid may be necessary at times, diamonds are ultimately more valuable and sought after.
There may come a time
When a hard-boiled employer
Thinks you're awful nice,
But get that ice or else no dice.
An employer may like you, but without diamonds, you won't get far.
He's your guy
When stocks are high,
But beware when they start to descend
It's then that those louses
Go back to their spouses.
Diamonds are a girl's best friend
A man may support you when he's doing well, but will most likely leave when things go awry. Diamonds are steadfast.
It's been proven beyond the shadow of a doubt
That diamonds area girl's only friend
The value of diamonds to women is incontrovertible.
I've heard of affairs
That are strictly platonic,
But diamonds are a girl's best friend.
Even if a relationship doesn't involve romance, diamonds still hold great importance for women.
And I think affairs
That you must keep liaisonic
Are better bets
If little pets get big baguettes.
If you must have an affair, it's better to have one where your partner gives you diamonds for your pets.
Time rolls on,
And youth is gone,
And you can't straighten up when you bend.
But stiff back
Or stiff knees,
You stand straight at Tiffany's.
As people age, it can be hard to stand up straight, but diamonds from Tiffany's can still make you feel confident.
Diamonds! Diamonds!
I don't mean rhinestones!
But diamonds are a girl's best friend.
Only real diamonds will do when it comes to being a woman's best friend.
Writer(s): STYNE JULE, ROBIN LEO
Contributed by Layla E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.