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.
I Didn't Know About You
Dinah Washington Lyrics
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The usual laughs, not often, but loud
And in the world that I knew
I didn't know about you
Chasing after the ring, on the merry-go-round
Just taking my fun, where it could be found
And yet what else could I do
Darling, now I know
I had the loneliest yesterday, everyday
In your arms
I know for once in my life, I'm living
Had a good time, every time I went out
Romance was a thing, I kidded about
How could I know about love
I didn't know about you
Darling, now I know
I had the loneliest yesterday, everyday
In your arms
I know for once in my life, I'm living
Had a good time, every time I went out
Romance was a thing, I kidded about
How could I know about love
I didn't know about you
I didn't know about you
In "I Didn't Know About You," Dinah Washington sings about how she used to run around with her own little crowd, laughing and having fun, but she didn't know about the love that was possible with someone like the person she's singing to now. This person showed her a different world, one where she could experience true love and no longer feel lonely. She sings about chasing after material things and fun without realizing that love was what she truly needed. The realization of her feelings for this person has brought her a sense of happiness and fulfillment she never knew before.
The song is a melancholic yet hopeful ballad that speaks to the human experience of searching for love and missing out until it hits you. The song is also known for its rich and soulful melody that pairs beautifully with Washington's emotional delivery.
Line by Line Meaning
I ran around, with my own little crowd
I spent my time with a group of people who shared my interests and enjoyed the same things as me, creating a sense of comfort and familiarity.
The usual laughs, not often, but loud
Although laughter was a part of my life, it was usually just a surface emotion that was not deeply felt or expressed regularly.
And in the world that I knew
In my familiar environment and routine, I had yet to encounter something or someone outside of my preconceived notions and expectations.
I didn't know about you
I had not yet met the person or experienced the feeling that would change my perspective and bring a new level of depth to my life.
Chasing after the ring, on the merry-go-round
I was caught up in the pursuit of material gain and the constant cycle of achieving and acquiring more things, without realizing that true fulfillment comes from deeper connection and emotion.
Just taking my fun, where it could be found
I sought out pleasure and entertainment wherever I could find it, without fully considering the long-term consequences or sacrificing personal growth for immediate satisfaction.
And yet what else could I do
Despite feeling unfulfilled, I did not have a clear idea of how to seek out greater meaning or purpose in my life.
Darling, now I know
Having found love and experienced emotional depth, I have gained a new understanding and appreciation for what it means to truly be alive.
I had the loneliest yesterday, everyday
Before discovering love, I was missing a crucial element of connection and emotion that left me feeling lonely and unfulfilled each day.
In your arms
The comfort and affection I received from my partner has offered a sense of security and belonging that was previously absent from my life.
I know for once in my life, I'm living
Through the newfound joy and love I have found, I have discovered a sense of purpose and joy that makes life worth living and experiencing to the fullest extent.
Romance was a thing, I kidded about
Prior to experiencing love, I treated concepts of romance and emotional depth as a lighthearted joke, not fully understanding the true depth and significance behind them.
How could I know about love
Without having experienced it firsthand, it was impossible for me to fully understand the transformative and life-changing nature of love and emotional connection.
I didn't know about you
Without the presence of my partner, I would have remained unaware of the true potential for joy, fulfillment, and deeper emotions in my life.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOB RUSSELL, DUKE ELLINGTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind