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 Know How to Do It
Dinah Washington Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've had twenty years' practice and, Lord above!
I know how to do it,
I know how to do it,
I know how to do it,
Good enough for anyone!
Or you'll wake up one mornin' and he won't be there!
'Cause I know how to do it,
I know how to do it,
I know how to do it,
Good enough for anyone!
I may be old fashioned, I may be dumb,
I may be a square and I may be a bum!
But I know how to do it,
I know how to do it,
I know how to do it,
And I dish it out with ease!
Don't encourage me, baby, or I'll go too far
When you say, "Beat me, momma, eight to the bar!";
I know how to do it,
I know how to do it,
I know how to do it,
And I dish it out with ease!
If you see a man who's mellow and fine,
Tell him to come and see me any old time!
I know how to do it,
I know how to do it,
I'll keep on doin' it as long as it's easy done!
In the song "I Know How to Do It," Dinah Washington sings about her expertise in the art of love. She confidently proclaims that she knows how to please any man, having had 20 years of practice. She warns women to take good care of their men if they want to keep them around, implying that if their love life isn't up to par, they'll find someone who can do it better. Although she admits to being old-fashioned, dumb, and a bum, she confidently asserts that she knows how to dish out pleasure with ease.
The song is essentially about sexual prowess, but it's also about confidence and self-assurance. Dinah Washington's character is confident in her abilities despite not having other desirable qualities. She's essentially saying that one doesn't necessarily need to be smart or accomplished to be good in bed. The song was written in 1949 by Roy Alfred and Al Sherman and became a top ten hit for Dinah Washington in 1950.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody needs practice in the art of love;
It takes time and effort to become proficient in the art of love, and everyone needs practice.
I've had twenty years' practice and, Lord above!
I have had plenty of practice over the years and have become quite skilled in the art of love.
I know how to do it,
I am confidently experienced in the art of love and know what I am doing.
Good enough for anyone!
My skills are of a high standard and can satisfy anyone's needs.
If you love your man you'd better take good care,
It is important to take care of your man if you love him to prevent losing him.
Or you'll wake up one mornin' and he won't be there!
If you don't take care of your man, he may leave without warning.
'Cause I know how to do it,
Since I am experienced in the art of love, I can keep my man satisfied and prevent him from leaving.
I may be old fashioned, I may be dumb,
I may not be modern or intelligent, but I am skilled in the art of love.
I may be a square and I may be a bum!
I may be uncool or poor, but my abilities in the art of love remain unaffected.
And I dish it out with ease!
I can easily and comfortably deliver my skills in the art of love.
Don't encourage me, baby, or I'll go too far
Don't push me too hard, or I'll become overly passionate and possibly take things too far.
When you say, "Beat me, momma, eight to the bar!";
When you request that I perform in a certain way, like someone asking me to 'beat' them with music, I can easily do so.
I'll keep on doin' it as long as it's easy done!
As long as it remains comfortable and natural for me, I will continue performing in the art of love.
Contributed by Benjamin M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Alex Riddick
Absolutely a classic by a great singer.
Mark Francis
Thanks Fred. A gem. Cheers.
B Vaughn
I found it!! Ahh, the Mz. Dirty bluesy Blues!!
Alanis Belen
why this doesnt have more views?
Gary Kirchherr
Great song, great singer. But Natalie Merchant's slower, sultry version is better.
Schwarzie Long
And?
Schwarzie Long
Actually, Just listen to Merchant's version. No comparison. Inferior musicians and far inferior voice. Comparing a giant of jazz with a modern warbler.