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.
This Bitter Earth
Dinah Washington Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, what a fruit it bears
What good is love
Mmh, that no one shares?
And if my life is like the dust
Ooh, that hides the glow of a rose
What good am I?
Heaven only knows
Oh, this bitter earth
Yes, can it be so cold?
Today you're young
Too soon you're old
But while a voice
Within me cries
I'm sure someone
May answer my call
And this bitter earth, ooh
May not, oh be so bitter after all
Dinah Washington's song "This Bitter Earth" is a poignant expression of regret, futility, and despair. It laments the hardships of life and the loneliness of unrequited love. The opening line, "This bitter earth, what a fruit it bears," sets the tone for the rest of the song. The earth, a place where life can be beautiful, also bears fruits of bitterness and loneliness. The next line emphasizes that love is useless without reciprocation. The singer questions the purpose of her life if it is like dust that hides the beauty of a rose. The theme of futility is repeated in the line "what good am I, heaven only knows."
The next stanza takes a darker turn with the metaphor of the bitter earth becoming even colder. Aging is described here as a tragedy of life. The line "while a voice within me cries" expresses the internal suffering of the singer. Despite this, she holds out hope that "someone may answer my call," and that the bitter earth may not be so bitter after all. The song's message of hope is tempered by the reality that some things cannot be changed, but that does not mean we should give up. In the end, "This Bitter Earth" is a melancholic portrayal of the fragile beauty of life.
Line by Line Meaning
This bitter earth
Life can be harsh and unpleasant at times
Well, what a fruit it bears
The consequences of a bitter life can be disappointing and painful
What good is love
The value of love is lost if there is no one to share it with
Mmh, that no one shares?
It is pointless to have love if there is no one who reciprocates it
And if my life is like the dust
The mundanity and lack of purpose in life
Ooh, that hides the glow of a rose
The beauty of life is often obscured by its harshness
What good am I?
What is the purpose of one's existence in a bleak world?
Heaven only knows
There may not be clear answers to the purpose of existence
Oh, this bitter earth
A repeated description of the harsh realities of life
Yes, can it be so cold?
The world can be cruel and unforgiving
Today you're young
Youth is fleeting and temporary
Too soon you're old
One's youth can pass by quickly and unexpectedly
But while a voice
Despite the difficulties of life
Within me cries
There is hope and a longing for something better
I'm sure someone
There is a hope that there is someone out there
May answer my call
Who can offer solace and companionship
And this bitter earth, ooh
Despite the harshness of life
May not, oh be so bitter after all
There is a possibility that life may still offer some joy and meaning
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Clyde Lovern Otis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BrandonQ1995
"Today you're young. Too soon you're old."
Love those simple words. I'm only 20 but even still it feels like yesterday I was just a kid, playing videos game with my sister or out by the pond with my friends with no worry in the world. This song always reminds me to remember where I am and to appreciate that I'm still here because time really is the greatest commodity of all. Before you know it, it'll be time to check out whether you're ready for it or not.
@deloreslovett9275
Such a haunting song. It stays with you long after it's over.
@sachianadaum3236
I just remember sitting with two of my friends and we happened to come across this song. As soon as we played it we all fell silent, It just felt so.. full of emotion. I've never felt so much come from one song.
@cassierachelmac2832
One of the most powerful and epic voices ever to grace a microphone
@ShocknessFreak
This bitter earth What fruit it bears What good is love That no one shares But while a voice Within me cries I'm sure someone May answer my call And this bitter earth May not be so bitter after all
@NicolePoliskey
This is absolute genius!! My daughter is performing to this with her dance company and it is so hauntingly beautiful. I remember the original and cannot believe Max Richter was able to get this so perfect..with the one and only vocals of Dinah! Exquisite!
@gnidetalmonis2740
for me she is the greatest singer. the clarity of her voice. dictions. it is so pure. she dont need to shout. she is just simply amazing. Hail to the Queen.
@eitapahdumitaan
When I die. I want this song to play at my funeral.
@jp7690
Me too......
@Dutchmusicfan1992
Dinah..an underrated artist..what a voice.