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.
Without a Song
Dinah Washington Lyrics
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Without a song, the road would never bend
When things go wrong, a man ain't got a friend
Without a song!
That field of corn, would never see a plough
That field of corn, would be deserted now
A young one's born, but he's no good no how
Without a song!
The Jordan will roll ( Roll you river Jordan! )
I'll get along as long as a song is strung
In my soul!
I'll never know what makes the rain to fall,
I'll never know what makes the grass so tall,
I only know there ain't no love at all
Without a song!
( I got my trouble an' woe, but sure as I know the Jordan will roll,
I'll get along as long as a song is strung in my soul! )
In my soul!
I'll never know what makes the rain to fall,
I'll never know what makes the grass so tall,
I only know there ain't no love at all
Without a song!
The lyrics of Dinah Washington's song Without a Song speak to the universal power of music. The song portrays the idea that without music, life would lack purpose and meaning; music provides the necessary backdrop for many of life's most important moments. The lines "Without a song, the day would never end" and "Without a song, the road would never bend" illustrate the role that music plays in creating a sense of movement and progression in life. The lyrics suggest that when life gets tough, music is often the only friend that stays by one's side.
As the song continues, the theme of music as a life force is further explored. The image of an abandoned field of corn serves as a metaphor for a life without music. The lyrics assert that a person may be born into difficult circumstances, but with the presence of music, they can still find hope and strength to move forward. The lines "I got my trouble an' woe, but sure as I know/The Jordan will roll" reinforce this idea - that even when times are tough, music provides a comforting and constant presence.
Overall, Dinah Washington's song Without a Song is an ode to the power of music. It suggests that music can provide purpose and meaning to life's most routine and challenging moments. Additionally, the song illuminates the idea that music can offer a sense of hope and comfort during difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Without a song, the day would never end
Life would lack excitement and purpose without music.
Without a song, the road would never bend
Music helps to navigate life's twists and turns.
When things go wrong, a man ain't got a friend
During tough times, music can be a comforting companion.
Without a song!
That field of corn, would never see a plough
Music brings creativity and productivity to life's mundane tasks.
That field of corn, would be deserted now
Without music, the emptiness of daily life would be even more pronounced.
A young one's born, but he's no good no how
Without a song!
Without music, life lacks the potential for growth and development.
I got my trouble an' woe, but sure as I know
The Jordan will roll ( Roll you river Jordan! )
I'll get along as long as a song is strung
In my soul!
Music provides hope and inspiration during times of hardship.
I'll never know what makes the rain to fall,
I'll never know what makes the grass so tall,
I only know there ain't no love at all
Without a song!
Music is a deeply profound mystery that enriches life with love and beauty.
( I got my trouble an' woe, but sure as I know the Jordan will roll,
I'll get along as long as a song is strung in my soul! )
In my soul!
Music is deeply personal and intimately tied to one's soul.
I'll never know what makes the rain to fall,
I'll never know what makes the grass so tall,
I only know there ain't no love at all
Without a song!
Music helps to make sense of the mysteries of the natural world and its beauty.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRED ROSE, JIMMY WAKELY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind