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)
My Funny Valentine
Dianne Reeves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweet comic Valentine
You make me smile with my heart
Your looks are laughable
Unphotographable
Yet you're my fav'right work of art
Is your mouth a little weak
When you open it to speak
Are you smart?
Don't change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little Valentine
Stay!
Each day is valentine's day
Is your figure less than Greek
Is your mouth a little weak
When you open it to speak
Are you smart?
Don't change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little Valentine
Stay, oh stay!
Each day is valentine's day
"My Funny Valentine" is a song that explores the idea of unconventional beauty and love. The first verse of the song addresses the person being sung to as a "sweet comic Valentine," implying that they are different from the usual idea of a romantic partner. Despite this, the singer confesses that this person makes them smile with their heart, suggesting not a physical attraction, but an emotional one.
The second verse continues to question the person's traditional beauty, calling it "laughable," but goes on to say that their unique looks make them the singer's "fav'right work of art." The bridge of the song brings up the idea of intelligence, asking if the person is not conventionally beautiful and also not smart, but reassuring them that they don't need to change to be loved.
Line by Line Meaning
My funny Valentine
You may not seem perfect, but that's what makes you unique and special to me.
Sweet comic Valentine
You bring joy and humor to my life, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
You make me smile with my heart
You have a special place in my heart that brings joy to my life, making me smile just thinking about you.
Your looks are laughable
You don't have to conform to traditional beauty standards for me to find you attractive.
Unphotographable
Your beauty is so unique and personal that it can't be captured in a photograph.
Yet you're my fav'right work of art
To me, you are more beautiful and valuable than any piece of art in the world.
Is your figure less than Greek
You may not have a perfect physique, but that doesn't take away from your value or worth as a person.
Is your mouth a little weak
You may not be the strongest or most confident speaker, but that doesn't diminish the importance of what you have to say.
When you open it to speak
The act of you sharing your thoughts and feelings is important and valued in our relationship.
Are you smart?
Your intelligence and knowledge are valued and respected, and don't determine your worth as a person.
Don't change a hair for me
I love you just the way you are and don't expect you to change anything about yourself for my sake.
Not if you care for me
I want you to be true to yourself and not change anything about yourself just to please me.
Stay little Valentine
Stay with me and continue to bring joy and happiness to my life, just as you always have.
Stay, oh stay!
I want you to remain a part of my life and continue to bring me joy and happiness.
Each day is valentine's day
Our love is not limited to just one day a year, but rather is celebrated and cherished every day of our lives together.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind