I'll Close My Eyes
Dinah Washington & Quincy Jones Lyrics
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A song through its doors
Just as if it seems to know
I'm exclusively yours
Knowing this
I feel but one way
You will understand too
In these words that I say
To everyone but you
And when I do
I'll see you standing there
Mmh, I'll lock my heart
To any other caress
I'll never say yes
To a new love affair
I'll close my eyes
To everything that's gay
If you're not there
To share each lovely day
And through the years
Those moments
When we're far apart
I close my eyes
Mmh, and see you with my heart
I'll close my eyes
To everything that's gay
But if you're not there
To share each lovely day
And through the years
Those moments
When we're far apart
I'll close my eyes
Oh, and see you with my heart
The lyrics to Dinah Washington's I'll Close My Eyes speak of an all-consuming love that is exclusively for one person. The song begins with the singer acknowledging that she feels the presence of her lover through the music that comes to her. She is convinced that this music is a sign from heaven that her lover is meant for her alone. She then goes on to declare that her heart belongs to her lover and that she will never say yes to a new love affair. She promises to close her eyes to everyone but her lover, never to be swayed by any other caress.
The chorus repeats the promise of the singer to close her eyes to everything and everyone except her lover. She declares that if her lover is not there to share each lovely day with her, she will close her eyes to everything that's gay. However, in moments of separation, she will close her eyes and see her lover with her heart.
The lyrics relay a deep and abiding love, one that is all-consuming and exclusive. The imagery of closing one's eyes to everything except the one they love speaks to the idea that the only thing that matters is the person they are with. The song is a powerful declaration of love, a promise to love and hold only one person forever.
Line by Line Meaning
Heaven sends
Divine intervention provides me with a song to express my love for you.
A song through its doors
This song is a gift sent from the heavens.
Just as if it seems to know
The song arrives at the right moment, as if it knows my feelings.
I'm exclusively yours
You are the only person I love and trust with my heart.
Knowing this
Because of my love for you and your reciprocated feelings, I am confident in our future together.
I feel but one way
My love for you is so strong, I have only one path to follow.
You will understand too
You share this love with me, and therefore understand my devotion to you.
In these words that I say
These lyrics are my declaration of love and commitment to you.
I'll close my eyes
I will shut out the distractions of the world to focus solely on you.
To everyone but you
My love is exclusive to you, and I will ignore all others.
And when I do
When I close my eyes, I will visualize only you.
I'll see you standing there
In my mind, you will be present and close to me.
Mmh, I'll lock my heart
My heart belongs to you, and I will not open it to allow anyone else to enter.
To any other caress
I will reject any other touch or advances from anyone else.
I'll never say yes
I will reject any love that comes my way, since my heart already belongs to you.
To a new love affair
I will not start a new relationship, since I am happily committed to you.
I'll close my eyes
I will ignore anything that distracts me from my love for you.
To everything that's gay
I will not participate in any happy activities or events if you are not present to share it with me.
If you're not there
Your presence is essential to my happiness.
To share each lovely day
I want to spend every moment with you, enjoying the beauty of life together.
And through the years
As time goes by, my devotion to you will remain strong.
Those moments
When we are apart,
I close my eyes
I will shut out everything else and focus on my love for you.
Oh, and see you with my heart
In my mind, I will visualize you, and my heart will feel your presence.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BILLY REID, BUDDY KAYE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jerryj920
August 29th: Happy birthday Jazz/Blues/R&B/Gospel/Pop Singer Ruth Lee Jones / Dinah Washington (1924-1963)-Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, 3 Grammy Hall of fame Awards. Pure singer, RIP....she shares a birthdate with Jazz Saxophonist Charlie "Bird" Parker (1920-1965)-4 Grammy Hall of Fame Awards, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame; both on my Soul Heaven / Birthdays on FB playlist. Thank you, RoundMidnightTV for the upload. Blessings...
@annalaw4684
Lovely GOD gifted vocals, befitting for a beautiful woman, lady Washington, rest in paradise Ms. Washington!!!!!
@waltergray7722
Thank you for sharing this gem.
@annalaw4684
What a classy, beautiful, talented lady!!!!!!!! Wow........ how this lovely, wonderful music reminds me of a innocent, pure, sweet time of yester year. I'd peek around a corner into our living room, watching my parents gaze into one another's eyes, seemingly deeply in love, as they two stepped, with style and grace to this tune. Such a beautiful time and space, the fabulous fifties!!!!!!!!! Thank you for this beautiful post!!!!!
@Nutriloc1
Such a wonderful post.......thank you so much
@stevensmith4498
This is the best version of this song! And I’m not just saying that because it was my wedding song, which it was. The pacing of it, and perfect accompaniment, sets it apart fro other arrangements. Thanks for sharing!
@84s77
Washington is the capital of feMALE jazz singers.
@YourAnjl
One of my favorite singers of her era. Thank you!
@msconcerned100
Before my time but I can hear her…
@barbarapendragon4976
beautiful orchestration, Mr. Q