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.
[edit]
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)
Just My Imagination
Dianne Reeves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I say to myself, "You're such a lucky girl"
To have a boy like him is truly a dream come true
Out of all the girls in the world he belongs to me
[Chorus]
But it was just my imagination runnin' away with me
It was just imagination runnin' away with me
Soon we'll be married and raise a family
Have a cozy little home out in the country with two children, maybe three
I tell you I, I can visualize it all
This couldn't be a dream for too real it all seems
[Chorus]
Every night on my knees I pray, dear Lord, hear my plea
Don't ever let another take his love from me or I will surely die
His love is heavenly when his arms enfold me I hear a tender rhapsody
But in reality he doesn't even know my name, oh what a shame
For it was just my imagination runnin' away with me
And runnin' and runnin'
[Chorus]
Just my imagination
In the windmills of my m ind I would think about him all the time
Just my imagination
But he didn't even know my name, oh what a shame
Well, it was just my imagination
The lyrics of Dianne Reeves's song "Just My Imagination" tell the story of a girl who watches a guy she likes from her window. She considers herself lucky to have a boy like him, and dreaming of spending her life with him, getting married, and raising a family. The chorus based on The Temptations hit talks about how it was just her imagination, running away with her. In the second verse, she prays to the Lord to not let anyone take his love away from her. She calls his love Heavenly, and she can hear a tender rhapsody. However, in reality, he doesn't even know her name.
The song's lyrics reflect the concept of unrequited love, where one person has feelings for another, but that other person is unaware of it. The girl in the song has built up an entire life inside of her head with this guy, but in reality, he is just another passerby. The song speaks to the power of imagination, how it can take over someone's thoughts to the point where they forget what is real and what is not.
Line by Line Meaning
Each day through my window I watch him as he passes by
Every day, I see him passing by my window.
I say to myself, "You're such a lucky girl"
I think to myself that I am incredibly fortunate.
To have a boy like him is truly a dream come true
Having a boy like him is something I've always dreamed of.
Out of all the girls in the world he belongs to me
He is mine out of all the girls in the world.
[Chorus]
Refrain
Soon we'll be married and raise a family
We will soon settle down and start a family.
Have a cozy little home out in the country with two children, maybe three
We will have a beautiful and comfortable house in the countryside with a few children.
I tell you I, I can visualize it all
I can clearly imagine everything happening.
This couldn't be a dream for too real it all seems
It seems too real not to be real.
[Chorus]
Refrain
Every night on my knees I pray, dear Lord, hear my plea
I pray to God every night on my knees, asking Him to listen to me.
Don't ever let another take his love from me or I will surely die
I don't want anyone else to take his love because I would be devastated.
His love is heavenly when his arms enfold me I hear a tender rhapsody
When he embraces me, his love feels otherworldly and I hear a beautiful melody.
But in reality he doesn't even know my name, oh what a shame
In reality, he doesn't even know who I am, which is truly disappointing.
[Chorus]
Refrain
Just my imagination
It's just my imagination running wild.
In the windmills of my mind I would think about him all the time
In the depths of my mind, I constantly think about him.
Just my imagination
It's just my imagination running wild.
But he didn't even know my name, oh what a shame
Sadly, he didn't even know my name.
Well, it was just my imagination
It was purely my own imagination.
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
R W
One of my favorite songs. This song makes me want to get a microphone and pretend I'm Diane Reeves singing. 😊
Still Grateful
Absolutely beautiful, love this rendition!
Loki Jordan
A simply masterful vocal. This lady is an absolute treasure.
Cal Waite
I am speechless after listening to this....what a fabulous voice!
Michael Christmas
Me too 💯🎶
Cathy Hall
Loving this song. It mellows me out and lets me know how blessed I am to have a beautiful husband
DJDJANGO1
Dianne Reeves one of the most important & relevant vocalists in Jazz today. No wonder George Clooney had to include her in his film 'Good Night & Good Luck'. A singer who sings from the soul and lives every lyric....and one of so very few who could do this Temptations classic and breathe new life into it. And live she is even better! Dianne Reeves is The Truth!
Pamela Anderson
I love her voice it is so relaxing.
Until the End of Time
Amazing what she can do with any style of song. Superb vocalist.
chewynirie
....a voice that can make a bad day better and a better day even better.....sweet