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.
God Bless The Child
Dinah Washington Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Them that's not shall lose
So the Bible said and it still is news
Mama may have, Papa may have
But God bless the child that's got his own
That's got his own
Yes, the strong gets more
Empty pockets don't ever make the grade
Mama may have, Papa may have
But God bless the child that's got his own
That's got his own
Money--you've got lots of friends
Crowding 'round the door
When you're gone, spending ends
They don't come no more
Rich relations give
Crust of bread and such
You can help yourself
But don't take too much
Mama may have, Papa may have
But God bless the child that's got his own
That's got his own
That's got his own
Mama may have, Papa may have
But God bless the child that's got his own
That's got his own
He just worry 'bout nothin'
'Cause he's got his own
Yes, he's got his own
The song God Bless the Child by Dinah Washington is a poignant and powerful commentary on the concept of self-reliance and the harsh realities of socioeconomic inequality. The opening line of the song, "them that's got shall have, them that's not shall lose," refers to the idea that in society, those who are already prosperous are more likely to continue to accumulate wealth, while those who are not as fortunate often struggle to get by. Dinah then goes on to suggest that this pattern is not only a reflection of societal norms, but also has its roots in religious teachings, as she references the Bible's statement on the issue.
The chorus of the song is a celebration of those who have managed to break free from this cycle of dependence, those who "have their own." Though societal pressure may drive us toward conformity and seeking assistance, the singer urges listeners to look to those who have succeeded on their own terms and bless them for it. The song's strident message is further bolstered by language that highlights the disparity between the haves and have-nots, such as the mention of "rich relations" who only dole out a "crust of bread and such" to those in need.
Overall, God Bless the Child is a potent evocation of the struggles and triumphs of self-reliance, and stands as a powerful statement on the nature of success and independence.
Line by Line Meaning
Them that's got shall have
Those who already possess wealth will continue to acquire more
Them that's not shall lose
Those who do not have wealth will continue to go without
So the Bible said and it still is news
This idea has been around for a long time and it remains true today
Mama may have, Papa may have
Some people might come from privileged backgrounds
But God bless the child that's got his own
However, it is the person who is self-sufficient and independent that is truly blessed
Yes, the strong gets more
Those in a position of power will continue to accumulate even more power
While the weak ones fade
Meanwhile, individuals who lack power will continue to be marginalized or overlooked
Empty pockets don't ever make the grade
Lacking wealth or resources can make it difficult to succeed in society
Money -- you've got lots of friends
People are often drawn to others who have money and resources
Crowding 'round the door
These people will gravitate towards those with wealth and resources
When you're gone, spending ends
However, when the money runs out, these relationships will disappear
They don't come no more
Those who were previously attracted to wealth will disappear when it is no longer present
Rich relations give
Even family members who possess wealth may only share the bare minimum with those who lack it
Crust of bread and such
Those with wealth may provide the bare minimum to help others survive
You can help yourself
However, they will often only help those who can already help themselves to some extent
But don't take too much
They are hesitant to share too much or help those who do not have the ability to repay them in some way
He just worry 'bout nothin'
The person who is self-sufficient has less to worry about than those who lack resources
'Cause he's got his own
They are able to support themselves without relying on others
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: Arthur Herzog, Billie Holiday
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Raquel Triano
Obrigada! Quincy e Dinah
Apryl Harrell
This is my favorite version of this song❤
Anthony Munroe
The Queen Sings!!!! I love Dinah Washington like its nobodies business!!!!
Blue Zodiac
Dinah Washington just give this song that extra knock out punch.