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.
Where Are You?
Dinah Washington Lyrics
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If you're gonna give me good kissin' like that
Honey, don'tcha know I'm gonna give 'em right back to you
That's a kissin' good way (that's a kissin' good way)
Ahh, that's a kissin' good way (that's a kissin' good way)
Now, that's a kissin' good way to mess around and fall in love
(Don't mess around, don't mess around)
If you're gonna start out by huggin' me tight
Don't mess around, just a-hug me right
'Cause that's a huggin' good way (that's a huggin' good way)
That's a huggin' good way (that's a huggin' good way)
That's a huggin' good way to mess around and fall in love
(Don't mess around, don't mess around)
*Brook*
Ya know you called me on the phone
And just because I was alone
Yes, you came around wooin'
Ahh, you'd better ask somebody if you don't know what you're doin'
*Dinah*
Now you kissed me and you rocked my soul
And don't come around knockin' rock'n'roll
'Cause that's a rockin' good way (that's a rockin' good way)
Yes, that's a rockin' good way (that's a rockin' good way)
That's a rockin' good way ah ah to mess around and fall in love
(Don't mess around, don't mess around)
*Dinah*
Well, ya know you called me on the phone
And just because I was alone
You came around a-wooin'
You gotta ask somebody if you don't know what you're doin'
*Brook*
Mmm, now that you've kissed me and rocked my soul
Don't come around knockin' rock'n'roll
That's a rockin' good way (that's a rockin' good way)
Dinah, that's a rockin' good way (that's a rockin')...
The lyrics to Dinah Washington's song "That's a Kissin' Good Way" describe the exciting and dangerous feeling of falling in love. The use of repetition in the chorus emphasizes the idea that physical intimacy can lead to emotional entanglement. The first verse, sung by Brook Benton, talks about how if someone gives him a good kiss, he will reciprocate with an equally good one. This creates a cycle of passion that can quickly lead to love. Dinah Washington's verse takes this idea further, emphasizing the importance of physical touch in forming a deeper connection. She warns her partner not to "mess around" and to hug her tightly, setting the tone for a serious and committed relationship.
The second half of the song returns to the idea of "rocking" and "rolling," which stands in for the idea of a passionate, exciting relationship. This section also references the dangers of such a relationship, warning the listener not to come around "knocking" too much. Overall, "That's a Kissin' Good Way" is a playful yet serious song about the risks and rewards of physical intimacy and emotional connection.
Line by Line Meaning
If you're gonna give me good kissin' like that
If you plan on giving me an enjoyable kiss, I will happily return the favor
Honey, don'tcha know I'm gonna give 'em right back to you
You can expect me to reciprocate any affection
That's a kissin' good way (that's a kissin' good way)
Our mutual kissing styles are quite satisfying
Now, that's a kissin' good way to mess around and fall in love
Our passionate kissing could lead to a deeper romantic connection
If you're gonna start out by huggin' me tight
If you initiate a hug with me,
Don't mess around, just a-hug me right
Do it properly, don't waste time or be insincere
That's a huggin' good way (that's a huggin' good way)
Our hugging displays genuine affection
That's a huggin' good way to mess around and fall in love
Our casual physical intimacy could lead to deeper romantic feelings
Ya know you called me on the phone
I recall the moment you rang me
And just because I was alone
Simply because I happened to be unoccupied
Yes, you came around wooin'
You approached me with romantic intentions
Ahh, you'd better ask somebody if you don't know what you're doin'
You might want to seek advice if unsure how to proceed
Now you kissed me and you rocked my soul
Your smooch was so powerful it stirred something deep within me
And don't come around knockin' rock'n'roll
Don't try to make up for any lack of skill with flashy gimmicks
That's a rockin' good way (that's a rockin' good way)
Our mutual physical chemistry is undeniable and exciting
Yes, that's a rockin' good way (that's a rockin' good way)
Indeed, our powerful attraction is irresistible
That's a rockin' good way ah ah to mess around and fall in love
Our intense mutual attraction may lead to an unexpected romance
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lew Pollack, Lou Davis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind