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.
You're Crying
Dinah Washington Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, don't think I'm trying not to learn
Since this is the perfect spot to learn
Teach me tonight
Starting with the A-B-C of it
Getting right down to the X-Y-Z of it
Help me solve the mystery of it
The sky's a blackboard high above you
And if a shooting star goes by
I'll use that star to write, "I love you"
A thousand times across the sky
One thing isn't very clear, my love
Teachers shouldn't stand so near, my love
Graduation's almost here, my love
You'd better teach me tonight
I've played loves scenes in a flick or two
And I've also met a chick or two
But I still can learn a trick or two
Hey, teach me tonight
I who thought I knew the score of it
Kind of think I should know much more of it
Off the wall, the bed, the floor of it
Hey, teach me tonight
The midnight hours come slowly creeping
When there's no one there but you
There must be more to life than sleeping
Single in a bed for two
What I need most is post graduate
What I feel is hard to articulate
If you want me to matriculate
You'd better teach me tonight
What do you get for lessons?
Teach me, come on and teach me
Teach me tonight
The lyrics to Dinah Washington's song You're Crying are about a person who is eager to learn about love and relationships. The person is asking their lover to teach them the intricacies of love and how to have successful relationships. They ask for help with the basics (the A-B-C's) and to learn all the way to the complicated aspects (the X-Y-Z's). They even offer to use the sky as a blackboard to write "I love you" a thousand times.
The lyrics then touch on some insecurities that the person has about their lack of experience. The person hasn't been in many relationships or had much practice with love scenes, but they are open and willing to learn. They acknowledge that they don't know everything about relationships and that they need help to become more experienced.
The last verse focuses on the desire to better oneself and improve their relationship skills. The person wants to graduate to the next level of their relationship and become more knowledgeable, but they also seem a little nervous and unsure about how to achieve that. The song ends with the repeated plea to "teach me tonight."
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability and a willingness to learn and grow. It's a plea for help in understanding love and relationships, but is also a declaration of openness and eagerness to try.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you say that I've got a lot to learn?
You mentioned that I lack knowledge and understanding.
Well, don't think I'm trying not to learn
I'm not avoiding education, I'm open to it.
Since this is the perfect spot to learn
This place and time are ideal for learning.
Teach me tonight
Please instruct me now.
Starting with the A-B-C of it
Beginning with the fundamentals.
Getting right down to the X-Y-Z of it
Proceeding to the most advanced aspects.
Help me solve the mystery of it
Assisting me to understand the enigma.
Teach me tonight
Please instruct me now.
The sky's a blackboard high above you
The night sky is a canvas for a message.
And if a shooting star goes by
In case a meteor streaks across.
I'll use that star to write, "I love you"
I'll confess my admiration in the heavens.
A thousand times across the sky
Innumerably, all over the firmament.
One thing isn't very clear, my love
I'm uncertain about one detail, dear.
Teachers shouldn't stand so near, my love
Educators should keep some distance, dear.
Graduation's almost here, my love
Commencement is approaching, dear.
You'd better teach me tonight
Please instruct me now, or else.
I've played loves scenes in a flick or two
I've acted romantic parts on film before.
And I've also met a chick or two
I've encountered a few women as well.
But I still can learn a trick or two
However, I'm not too experienced to master new techniques.
Hey, teach me tonight
Please instruct me now.
I who thought I knew the score of it
I used to assume mastery of the topic.
Kind of think I should know much more of it
I believe that I'm lacking in understanding.
Off the wall, the bed, the floor of it
In all kinds of situations and places.
Hey, teach me tonight
Please instruct me now.
The midnight hours come slowly creeping
Late at night, time passes gradually.
When there's no one there but you
When you're the only person around.
There must be more to life than sleeping
Sleeping all the time can't be the only option.
Single in a bed for two
Sleeping alone in a big bed meant for two is lonely.
What I need most is post graduate
I require higher-level education.
What I feel is hard to articulate
It's challenging to express my emotions.
If you want me to matriculate
If you desire me to attend college.
You'd better teach me tonight
Please instruct me now or miss your opportunity.
What do you get for lessons?
How will you benefit from teaching me?
Teach me, come on and teach me
Please instruct me, don't hold back.
Teach me tonight
Please instruct me now.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DE PAUL, GENE / CAHN, SAMMY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thomas Lombardo
A stellar performance ! 😊💛
ricardo verdu
bellísima voz, excelente fraseo, como si fuera una clase de ingles
Karl Kunkel
Dinah can do no wrong....
Lisa B
It's beautiful
Giovany Tku
perfect
Mark Alex
2019 ♥️
SODANIMULIS UNDERGROUND'S. creolesupremacy.
Little Zoo.
JuniorBeatmentals AXK SKUAD
fè de erratas
Max Peter Urbina Alayo
La palabra ''Fe'' no lleva tilde.