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.
Don't You Know?
Della Reese Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have fallen in love with you
For the rest of my whole life through
Don't you know
I was yours from the very day
That you happened to come my way
I'm under your spell
By the look in my eyes
Can't you tell, can't you tell
Now, don't you know
Every beat of my heart keeps crying out
I want you so
Don't you know
Don't you know
Every beat of my heart keeps crying out
I want you so
Don't you know
Della Reese's "Don't You Know" is essentially a love song that extols the virtues of true love. The song's first verse affirms this love, stating that the singer has fallen in love with the person listening to the song and that it will last for the rest of her life. She also indicates that she has been in love with this person from the very first day she met them. This shows that her love is not superficial, dismissing the notion of love at first sight as mere infatuation that often fades quickly.
In the second verse, the singer indicates that she is under the spell of this person she is in love with. She is enchanted by them, and it is evident in the look in her eyes which betrays her heart's deepest desires. The rest of the song reiterates that the singer loves the person, and her heart's beating echoes the love she has for this individual.
Overall, the song tries to capture the idea of holding on to true love when you find it. True love rarely comes around, and when it does, you must hold on to it because it will last a lifetime. This theme resonates with many people, which is why the song remains popular several decades after its release.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you know
I want to make sure you understand
I have fallen in love with you
I have deep feelings of affection for you
For the rest of my whole life through
This is not just a fleeting emotion, but a commitment for eternity
Don't you know
I need to emphasize again how I feel
I was yours from the very day
From the moment our paths crossed, I belonged to you
That you happened to come my way
It was a chance encounter, but one that had a profound impact on me
Can't you see
I wish you were perceptive enough to understand
I'm under your spell
Your actions and words have enchanted and enchanted me, leaving me unable to think of anything else
By the look in my eyes
My gaze reveals my true feelings
Can't you tell, can't you tell
I want you to recognize my love for you
Now, don't you know
I want to reiterate my message
Every beat of my heart keeps crying out
My heart is filled with an overwhelming desire for you
I want you so
I desire to be with you more than anything else in this world
Don't you know
I feel it is important that you understand my emotions
Every beat of my heart keeps crying out
My love for you is an integral part of me
I want you so
My desire for you is unquenchable
Don't you know
I implore you to understand the depth of my feelings
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bobby Worth
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rdsims8809
DELLA,
YOU SUNG THIS SONG TO THE HILT....YOU OWN THIS SONG. WE MISS YOU. SING IT GIRL!!! GO GIRL, GO!!!
CLASS ACT!!! DELLA WAS AHEAD OF HER TIME EVEN WITH HER OWN TELEVISION SHOW. YOU DID THIS SONG!!
REST IN PEACE
@michaeldelacerda8210
My dad asked this to be played at the end of the funeral mass for my mom. It tore me up to see my dad as he sat in the front pew listening to this play, just looking downward, while tears slowly rolled down his cheeks. He loved my mom so very much. Since her death, before going to sleep each night, he will say his prayers and pull out one of the many love letters she wrote and sent to him when he was stationed in Europe during the Korean war. It has now been almost 14 years since my mom passed. My dad is now 93. He misses her more each day and looks forward to seeing her again when he passes from this life.
@flawlesslawless4180
Life is bittersweet
@ssvduck
Your dad's story resonates so deeply with me. Love survives. It is the one thing we get to keep. Its memory is powerful and healing. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story. I wish you and your father peace and love.
@captebbtide
Incredibly poignant! You and your folks SHALL see each other again!
@debilee1654
So emotional, I can't even put down what I feel. My husband of 35 yrs passed away , oh my 16 yrs ago. I miss him everyday, love is one of the wonderful things you get from this life, besides the memories that we have. Sorry about rambling on, just wanted to tell you ,your parents knew love for each other. 💕
@evansent
wow. let's record him talking about your mom?
@aladdinbryant1
im 17 years old and i say we need sme music like this on the radio
@user-cc6oe2js4w
I agree!!
@wegotthistogether9443
Turning 30 soon!
@margiechapman8836
Della Reese was truly one of the best singers in her time...I love her voice and love her!!! Rest now Della...so many have fallen in love with you!!!