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.
Rags to Riches
Dinah Washington Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you would only say you care
And though my pocket may be empty
I'd be a millionaire
My clothes may still be torn and tattered
But in my heart I'd be a king
Your love is all that ever mattered
So open your arms and you'll open the door
To ev'ry treasure that I'm hopin' for
Hold me and kiss me and tell me you're mine ever more
Must I forever be a beggar
Whose golden dreams will not come true?
Or will I go from rags to riches?
My fate is up to you
Must I forever be a beggar
Whose golden dreams will not come true?
Or will I go from rags to riches?
My fate is up to you
The lyrics of Dinah Washington's song "Rags to Riches" tells a story of a person who is in love and willing to do anything to win the affection of their significant other. The opening line "I know I'd go from rags to riches, If you would only say you care" implies that the singer is willing to overcome any obstacle to win the love of their partner. They don't mind being in a state of poverty as long as their partner cares for them.
The singer acknowledges the state of their life, "My clothes may still be torn and tattered" but they find solace in the fact that their partner's love is all that really matters. The lyrics also depict the singer's longing for a better life, they want to be rich but they acknowledge that they can’t do it alone; they need their partner to make it happen - "So open your arms and you'll open the door, To ev'ry treasure that I'm hopin' for, Hold me and kiss me and tell me you're mine ever more."
The chorus is repeated twice, with the same questions being asked about the singer's fate; "Must I forever be a beggar Whose golden dreams will not come true? Or will I go from rags to riches? My fate is up to you". This reinforces that the singer is in love and believes that their partner holds the key to their success and happiness, hence their fate lies in their hands.
Line by Line Meaning
I know I'd go from rags to riches
I am confident that I can significantly improve my life if you show me affection and care
If you would only say you care
Your declaration of love and care for me holds the power to transform my life
And though my pocket may be empty
Even if I am currently impoverished and financially challenged
I'd be a millionaire
I would feel incredibly wealthy and fulfilled if you just reciprocate my feelings for you
My clothes may still be torn and tattered
Despite my current state of financial hardship and lack of resources, I still hold a sense of pride and self-worth
But in my heart I'd be a king
I feel like royalty because I have your love, which is the most valuable treasure in this world
Your love is all that ever mattered
Nothing else in this world truly matters to me except for your love and affection
It's everything
Your love is the entire universe of my existence and purpose
So open your arms and you'll open the door
If you embrace me and accept my love, you will unlock a world of incredible opportunities and happiness
To ev'ry treasure that I'm hopin' for
You are the key to unlocking every dream and aspiration that I have for my life
Hold me and kiss me and tell me you're mine ever more
Physical affection and verbal reassurance from you is all that I need to feel complete and content in my life
Must I forever be a beggar
Do I have to remain in a state of poverty and neediness forever?
Whose golden dreams will not come true?
Is it impossible for me to achieve my dreams and aspirations?
Or will I go from rags to riches?
Is it possible for me to transform my life from a state of destitution and hardship to one of wealth and abundance?
My fate is up to you
You hold the power to determine my future and the direction of my life by deciding to love me or not.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jerry Ross, Richard Adler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bebe Bebe
Angelic voices among Billie holiday Sarah Vaughan dinah Washington so much beautiful music iam we are so bless from Oakland Calif home of the pointer sisters peace and love 🎼