Washington was born Ruth Jones in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. As she was growing up in Chicago, she played piano and directed her church choir. Later, she studied in Walter Dyett's renowned music program at DuSable High School. For a while, she split her time between performing in clubs as Dinah Washington while singing and playing piano in Salle Martin's gospel choir as Ruth Jones.
Washington began performing in 1942 and soon joined Lionel Hampton's band. In 1943, she began recording for Keynote Records and released "Evil Gal Blues", her first hit. By 1955, she had released numerous hit songs on the R&B charts, including "Baby, Get Lost", "Trouble in Mind", "You Don't Know What Love Is" (arranged by Quincy Jones), and a cover of "Cold, Cold Heart" by Hank Williams. In 1958 she made a well-received appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival.
With "What a Diff'rence a Day Makes" 1959, Washington won a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm and Blues Performance; the song was her biggest hit, reaching #8 on the Billboard Hot 100. The commercially driven album of the same name, with its heavily reliance on strings and wordless choruses, was slammed by jazz and blues critics as being far too commercial, not keeping with her blues roots. Despite this, the album was a huge success and Washington continued to favor more commercial, pop-oriented songs rather than traditional blues and jazz songs. She also dealt in torch songs; her rendition of The Platters' "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" was well-regarded.
She was married seven times, and divorced six times while having several lovers, including Quincy Jones, her young arranger. She was known to be imperious and demanding in real life, but audiences loved her. In London she once declared, "...there is only one heaven, one earth and one queen...Queen Elizabeth is an impostor", but the crowd loved it.
Dinah Washington died from an accidental overdose of diet pills and alcohol at the age of 39 in 1963.
A Rockin' Good Way
Dinah Washington Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Honey, don'tcha know I'm gonna give 'em right back (forgive me)
That's a kissin' good way (that's a kissin' good way)
Ah, that's a kissin' good way (that's a kissin' good way)
Now, that's a kissin' good way to mess around and fall in love
(Don't mess around, don't mess around) yeah, what'd I say, now?
If you're gonna start out by huggin' me tight
Don't mess around, just a-hug me right
'Cause that's a huggin' good way (that's a huggin' good way)
Brook, hat's a huggin' good way (that's a huggin' good way) (I'm with you there)
That's a huggin' good way to mess around and fall in love
(Don't mess around, don't mess around) dig this, you remember this?
You know, you called me on the phone (yeah, baby)
And just because I was alone
Yes, you came around a-wooin' (admit it, admit it)
Ah, you'd better ask somebody if you don't know what you're doin'
Now you kissed me and you rocked my soul
And don't come around knockin' rock'n'roll
'Cause that's a rockin' good way (that's a rockin' good way)
Yes, that's a rockin' good way (that's a rockin' good way)
That's a rockin' good way, ah, ah, to mess around and fall in love
(Don't mess around, don't mess around)
Well, ya know you called me on the phone
And just because I was alone (that's why I called you, baby)
You came around a-wooin'
You'd better ask somebody if you don't know what you're doin'
Mmm, now that you've kissed me and rocked my soul
Don't come around knockin' rock'n'roll (what'd I say now?)
That's a rockin' good way (that's a rockin' good way)
Dinah, that's a rockin' good way (that's a rockin' good way) I'm with you, baby
That's a rockin' good way to mess around and fall in love
You better know it baby (I'm diggin' it)
It's a rockin' good way
I love to rock, how 'bout you?
Ah, baby, you got what it takes
Ah ha, ain't that somethin', you dig the rock
I said (cool)
Stay out of my spot
Oh yeah, alright, oh yeah, I like the spot, don't you know, alright
Alright, you got it, man
The lyrics to Dinah Washington’s “A Rockin’ Good Way” is a call and response duet between Dinah Washington and her male counterpart. They sing about how they enjoy each other’s touch and the emotions that come with it. The lyrics convey that they’re not interested in meaningless flings, but they want to fall in love. The opening lines are questioning whether the man will give good kisses and assuring him that she’ll kiss him right back as the title phrase, “That’s a kissin’ good way,” is repeated.
The verses continue with the duet singing about how they want to be held and hugged the right way as they don’t want to waste time messing around. The chorus repeats the title phrase and reminds listeners to not mess around because falling in love is the consequence of such fun. The bridge of the song reinforces the idea that the touch and emotion shared have depth and that one kiss can change one’s soul. The song concludes with the repeated bridge and chorus, further cementing the idea that love can be found in the right touch.
Line by Line Meaning
If you're gonna give me good kissin' like that (what?)
If you're going to kiss me like you mean it, I'll kiss you back with the same energy.
Honey, don'tcha know I'm gonna give 'em right back (forgive me)
Of course, I will kiss you back with the same passion as you did.
That's a kissin' good way (that's a kissin' good way)
This level of kissing may lead to something more profound.
Now, that's a kissin' good way to mess around and fall in love
If we keep kissing like this, we are bound to get attached to each other eventually.
If you're gonna start out by huggin' me tight
If you initiate the hug with tight embrace
Don't mess around, just a-hug me right
Please don't waste time, just hug me well.
That's a huggin' good way (that's a huggin' good way)
This way of hugging is quite heartfelt.
Brook, hat's a huggin' good way (that's a huggin' good way) (I'm with you there)
Indeed, that's a pleasant way of hugging, and I agree with you.
That's a huggin' good way to mess around and fall in love
If we keep hugging this way, I can't help but feel we will fall in love.
You know, you called me on the phone (yeah, baby)
Remember when you called me, my darling.
And just because I was alone
I happened to be free when you called.
Yes, you came around a-wooin' (admit it, admit it)
You came and wooed me, let's not deny it.
Ah, you'd better ask somebody if you don't know what you're doin'
If you don't know what you're doing, you better take advice from someone else.
Now you kissed me and you rocked my soul
You kissed me so fervently that it rocked my world.
And don't come around knockin' rock'n'roll
Please don't come and interfere with my love for the rock n roll.
That's a rockin' good way (that's a rockin' good way)
Our love is similar to the style of rock n roll, and it feels good.
Yes, that's a rockin' good way (that's a rockin' good way)
Indeed, our love feels like a Rockin' good way.
That's a rockin' good way to mess around and fall in love
If we continue like this, we will mess around and eventually fall in love.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brook Benton, Clyde Lovern Otis, Luchi Dejesus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@susanvotroubek7440
Brook and Dinah make me so happy. I am 70 and my Mom played they all the time!!! I know my 3 sister's and Mom were the only people rockin out to they in small Texas town in the 50's. We were white and I loved that my Mom had such good taste!!! Brooke is gorgous.
Dinah had a sad life but what a talent!!!!! Good Times...great singer's!!!
@hisbudnrosejn1517
Hi, I am around your age, also from the South. My mom used to borrow her boyfriend's record player & some of his blues records which included Brook, Billie Holliday, & others. I was in my early teens & fell in love with this guy's songs. Also we saw a movie back then, "Walk On The Wild Side" where he sang the theme song. I am elated to learn that younger generations are being exposed to great music like this by whatever means they come across it.
@DeafIaint
Thanks for your story. I'm 75 , got to hear this in UK 1961 and of course love what these two produced x
@kathyblack5126
I am 71 & I have always loved Brooke Benton. And this song with Dinah Washington is such a great happy song! My Mama played all sorts of music & she loved to sing along & she is where I learned to live all genres of music & I will always love the music from the ‘50’s- early 70’s.
@thomasbeattie2257
Brooke Benton the most ignored greatest artist of all time i love him!!!!
@sandracampbell7788
Are you serious? I grew up listening to his songs, especially on a Sunday. Rice and peas and fries chicken or home style. Carrot or sour sop juice....... I've never forgotten them with and much more.
@sharronhickey9243
The natural chemistry between Dinah and Brook comes through on this fun tune. R&B royalty. Thank you both.
@chris99103
Actually Dina could not stand Brook Benton...she thought he was an arrogant twat...always late for recording session and not serious enough...
@rickrick5041
@@chris99103 That's what I heard. I guess she did admire his talent though
@ElvarMasson
Apparently, they're relationship was very "rocky"