Dianne Reeves, born 23 October 1956 in Detroit, Michigan, is an American ja… Read Full Bio ↴Dianne Reeves, born 23 October 1956 in Detroit, Michigan, is an American jazz singer, known more for her live performances than her albums. Alongside her peers Dee Dee Bridgewater, Diana Krall and Cassandra Wilson she is considered one of the most important female jazz singers of our time. She lives in Denver (Colorado/USA)

Dianne came from a very musical family. Her father, who died when she was two years old, was also a singer. Her mother, Vada Swanson, played trumpet. A cousin, George Duke is a well known piano and keyboard player and producer.

Dianne and her sister Sharon were raised by their grandmother in Denver, Colorado. As a child Dianne took piano lessons and sang at every opportunity. When she was 11 years old her interest in music was enhanced by an inspiring teacher who thought that music was the best way to bring students together. Dianne discovered a love of music and that she wanted to be a singer.

Her uncle, Charles Burell, a bass player with the Denver Symphony Orchestra, introduced her to the music of jazz singers, from Ella Fitzgerald to Billie Holiday. She was especially impressed by Sarah Vaughan.
1974
At the age of sixteen she was singing at the George Washington Highschool in Denver, in a highschool bigband. That same year the band played at a music festival (Convention of the National Association of Jazz Educators). Her Band won first place and it was there she met the trumpeter Clark Terry, who after discovering her became her mentor.

1975
A year later she began studying music at the University of Denver, before she moving in 1976 to Los Angeles. In L.A. her interest in Latin-American music grew, and she began experimenting with different kinds of vocal music and finally decided to pursue a career as a singer. She met Eduardo del Barrio, and she toured with his group "Caldera" and sang in Billy Child's jazz band "Night Flights". Later she tour with Sergio Mendes.

From 1983 until 1986 she toured with Harry Belafonte as a lead singer. This period saw her first experiences with world music. In 1987 she became the first vocalist to sign with Blue Note records. She moved back to Denver from Los Angeles in 1992. She sang at the closing ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.

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Grammy Awards
She has currently won 3 Grammy Awards for "Best Jazz Vocal Performance" for her albums

2001 In the Moment
2002 The Calling
2003 A Little Moonlight
2006 Good Night, And Good Luck (Soundtrack)
She is the only singer to have won this Grammy in three consecutive years.

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Discography
1977 - Welcome to My Love
1987 - Better Days
1988 - I Remember
1990 - Never Too Far
1991 - Dianne Reeves (same as Better Days)
1993 - Art & Survival
1994 - Quiet After the Storm
1996 - The Grand Encounter
1996 - Palo Alto Sessions
1997 - That Day
1997 - New Morning (live)
1999 - Bridges... produced by George Duke.
2000 - In The Moment (live)
2001 - The Calling: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan
2002 - Best of Dianne Reeves
2003 - A Little Moonlight
2004 - Christmas Time is Here
2005 - Good Night, And Good Luck (Soundtrack)

Besame Mucho
Dianne Reeves Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Besame, besame mucho
Como si fuera esta noche
La ultima vez

Besame mucho
Que tengo miedo perderte
Perderte otra vez

Besame, besame mucho
Each time I cling to your kiss
I hear music divine
Besame mucho
Hold me my darling
And say that you'll always be mine

This joy is something new
My arms enfolding you
Never knew this thrill before
Who ever thought I'd be holding you close to me
Whispering it's you I adore

Dearest one
If you should leave me
Each little dream would take wing
And my life would be through

Besame mucho
Love me forever
And make all my dreams come true

This joy is something new
My arms enfolding you
Never knew this thrill before
Who ever thought I'd be holding you close to me
Whispering it's you I adore

Dearest one
If you should leave me
Each little dream would take wing
And my life would be through

Besame mucho
Love me forever
And make all my dreams come true

Love me forever
And make all my dreams come true

Overall Meaning

The song "Besame Mucho" (translated to "Kiss me a lot" in English) by Dianne Reeves is a romantic and passionate love song that expresses a deep fear of loss and the desire for everlasting love. The first verse encourages the listener to kiss passionately and as if it were the last time because of the fear of losing the loved one again. The second verse expresses the joy and excitement of holding the loved one close and whispering sweet love confessions. The final verse stresses the importance of forever love and the fear that without it, life would be over.

The repetition of "besame mucho" throughout the song adds to the passionate and romantic nature of the lyrics, while the use of the words "dearest one" and "my darling" highlights the intimacy of the relationship between the two lovers. The use of music as a metaphor for the love shared between the two also adds to the depth of the song. The fear of loss and desire for everlasting love is a common theme in many love songs, but the lyrics in "Besame Mucho" express this sentiment in a unique and beautiful way.

Line by Line Meaning

Besame, besame mucho
Kiss me, kiss me a lot

Como si fuera esta noche
As if tonight were the last time

La ultima vez
The last time

Que tengo miedo perderte
I'm afraid of losing you

Perderte otra vez
Losing you again

Each time I cling to your kiss
Every time I hold onto your kiss

I hear music divine
I hear divine music

Hold me my darling
Embrace me, my love

And say that you'll always be mine
And promise that you'll always be mine

This joy is something new
This happiness is new to me

My arms enfolding you
My arms holding you tight