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.
Baby
Dinah Washington Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it takes two lips of fire to melt away the snow
Well, it takes two hearts a cookin' to make a fire grow
And baby, you've got what it takes, yeah
You know it takes a lot of kissin'
(Tell me about it)
To make a romance sweet
Ooh, and it takes a lot of woman to knock me off my feet
And baby, you've got what it takes
I said, mm, mm, mm, uh huh, mm, mm, mm
Ah, ah, hah, mm, mm"
You know you've got just what it takes
Because it takes more than an effort to stay away from you
It'd take more than a lifetime to prove that I'll be true
But it takes somebody special to make me say, I do
(Oh, yeah)
And baby, you've got what it takes
Ah, ah, hah, mm, mm, uh huh, mm, mm, mm
You know you've got just what it takes
Because it takes, you're back in my spot again, honey
(Oh yeah, I like your spot)
To stay away from you
(I can't stay away from you)
It takes more than a lifetime, daddy
To prove that I'll be true, now it's you
But, it takes somebody special
(Like me, baby)
To make me say, I do
And baby, you've got what it takes, say it again
C'mon, let's do it one more time, all right?
And baby, you've got what it takes
One more time, Brook (alright, okay, uh ha)
And baby, you've got what it takes
The lyrics of this song are a playful dialogue between Dinah and her lover. She begins by saying that it takes more than a Robin (a small bird) to make the winter go, implying that it takes more than a small effort to make things work. She then goes on to say that it takes two "lips of fire" to melt away the snow, meaning that it takes a lot of passion and affection to thaw a cold situation. The song then speaks to the power of two people being in love, stating that it takes both hearts "a cookin'" to make a fire grow. Dinah ultimately says that her lover has what it takes to keep her love going.
Dinah then speaks about what it takes to make a romance sweet, saying that it takes a lot of kissing and loving to make life complete. She then acknowledges that it takes a special woman to knock her off her feet, and her lover has got what it takes to do so. They continue to banter back and forth, with her saying that it takes more than an effort to stay away from him, and he acknowledging that he likes her "spot". Ultimately, Dinah says that it takes someone special (like her lover) to make her say "I do", and he indeed has what it takes.
Overall, the song is a playful and flirtatious exchange about what it takes to make a relationship work. Its joyful tone and catchy melody make it a classic that continues to be loved by listeners today.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, now, it takes more than a Robin to make the winter go
It takes something special to make things happen.
And it takes two lips of fire to melt away the snow
It takes a lot of passion to overcome difficulties.
Well, it takes two hearts a cookin' to make a fire grow
Love is like a fire that needs to be tended.
And baby, you've got what it takes, yeah
You have what I need to make this work.
You know it takes a lot of kissin'
Physical affection is important in a relationship.
(Tell me about it)
Affirmation and validation are important in communication.
To make a romance sweet
Romantic relationships need effort to be enjoyable.
Ooh, it takes a lot of lovin' to make my life complete
Love is a fundamental part of life for me.
Ooh, and it takes a lot of woman to knock me off my feet
I am looking for a strong and capable partner.
And baby, you've got what it takes
You are the woman I am looking for.
I said, mm, mm, mm, uh huh, mm, mm, mm
Expressing joy and pleasure.
Ah, ah, hah, mm, mm"
Expressing joy and enthusiasm.
You know you've got just what it takes
I am certain that you are the right person for me.
Because it takes more than an effort to stay away from you
I am irresistibly drawn to you.
It'd take more than a lifetime to prove that I'll be true
I am committed to being faithful to you.
But it takes somebody special to make me say, I do
I am looking for the right person to marry.
(Oh, yeah)
Expressing agreement and positive emotion.
And baby, you've got what it takes
You are special and perfect for me.
C'mon, let's do it one more time, all right?
Let's enjoy this moment together.
And baby, you've got what it takes
I am certain that you are the right person for me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FRANK JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ronprochaska1442
Brook Benton should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
@lynettebeckles9842
So true! They give out these awards now like candy to people who often don't have the real talent. Brook Benton was amazing!
@drdonwhill
Hands down. One of the GREATEST voices ever.
@keithkarvelis82
Why isn't he?
@grandmashadowdreamer
Totally agree
@jeremymanning2132
Unfortunately if he'd been just 10 - 15 years younger he'd have had greater exposure and acceptance. He was a pioneer and far too few black artists got the recognition their talent deserved. Thank God we've moved forward since!
@jimferrell229
When people could actually sing. Brook Benton and Dinah Washington could flat out 'SANG!"
@ellisisland1374
Classic!❤🙂 RIP two legends Ms. Dinah Washington and Mr. Brook Benton!🫡🫡💐💐
@sharoninglima1217
Dinah Washington and Brook Benton had gorgeous voices! This song is fabulous. The movie Blue Sky featured it!
@Andybetz.99
Hi Sharon💐💐