Actress Barbara Parkins, who starred in the motion picture, suggested that Warwick be considered to sing the film's theme song. The song was to be given to Judy Garland, who had been fired from the film. Warwick performed the song, and when the film became a success in the early weeks of 1968, her single of the film theme became a million-seller, peaking at #2 for four weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1968, #2 on the CashBox chart and #1 on the Record World chart. The tune was the B-side of another million selling tune composed for Warwick by Burt Bacharach and Hal David entitled "I Say a Little Prayer," which hit the Billboard Hot 100 Top 5 in November 1967. The single would become one of the biggest double-sided hits of the rock era.
Warwick re-recorded a Pat Williams-arranged and Burt Bacharach-produced version of the theme at A&R Studios in New York because contractual restrictions from her home label, Scepter Records, would not allow her version from the film to be included in the 20th Century-Fox soundtrack album. The re-recorded version became a million-seller. The RIAA-certified Gold Scepter LP that contained the hit version of the song, Dionne Warwick in Valley of the Dolls, peaked at number six on the Billboard Top 10 Albums chart, and would remain on the chart for over a year.
In the UK "(Theme from) Valley of the Dolls" had a February 1968 release with "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" as the B-side, peaking at UK #28.
Valley of the Dolls
Dionne Warwick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have to get off from this ride
Gotta get hold, gonna get
Need to get hold of my pride
When did I get, where did I
How was I caught in this game
When will I know, where will I
When did I stop feeling sure, feeling safe
And start wondering why, wondering why
Is this a dream, am I here, where are you
What's in back of the sky, why do we cry
Gotta get off, gonna get
Out of this merry-go-round
Gotta get off, gonna get
Need to get on where I'm bound
When did I get, where did I
Why am I lost as a lamb
When will I know, where will I
How will I learn who I am
Is this a dream, am I here, where are you
Tell me, when will I know, how will I know
When will I know why
The song "Valley of the Dolls" by Dionne Warwick is a poignant depiction of the struggle to hold on to one's identity in the face of societal pressures and expectations. The song grapples with the themes of vulnerability, loss of control, and desperation to carve out a sense of self amidst the chaos of daily life. The opening lines are a plea to break free from the monotony of life and the need to gain control of one's pride. The second verse grapples with a sense of confusion and disorientation, with the singer questioning when and how she got caught up in this game of life. The questions “when will I know, where will I, how will I think of my name" emphasize the singer's search for identity and sense of self.
The pre-chorus provides an introspective perspective, questioning when the singer started feeling unsure and unsafe, abandoning their sense of certainty and acting on their conscience. The uncertainty of whether the singer's life is a dream or reality is symbolic of the external pressure that threatens to undermine the individual's subjective sense of reality. The chorus repeats the need to break free, this time emphasizing the need to move towards a definitive goal or destination. The third verse provides a sense of helplessness and confusion, as the singer feels lost amidst the bustle of life, but is hopeful that one day she will understand who she is and what her purpose is.
Line by Line Meaning
Gotta get off, gonna get
I must remove myself from this situation, and I will do so.
Have to get off from this ride
I need to discontinue this activity that has been emotionally draining.
Gotta get hold, gonna get
I will recover my sense of self and pride.
Need to get hold of my pride
It is essential that I regain my self-respect.
When did I get, where did I
When did I lose my way, where did I go?
How was I caught in this game
How did I become so tangled up in this game of life?
When will I know, where will I
When will I finally understand, and where will this understanding lead me?
How will I think of my name
How will I remember who I am?
When did I stop feeling sure, feeling safe
When did I lose my sense of certainty and security?
And start wondering why, wondering why
And begin questioning everything, searching for reasons.
Is this a dream, am I here, where are you
Could this be an illusion, am I truly present, and where are the ones I need?
What's in back of the sky, why do we cry
What lies behind the sky, and why do humans feel the urge to weep?
Out of this merry-go-round
I want to escape the repetitive cycle of existence.
Need to get on where I'm bound
I must progress towards my destination.
Why am I lost as a lamb
How did I manage to become as disoriented as a lamb?
How will I learn who I am
In what way will I achieve a deeper understanding of myself?
Tell me, when will I know, how will I know
Please inform me, when will I finally comprehend, and in what manner will this happen?
When will I know why
When will I ultimately understand the reason for my existence?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andre G. Previn, Dory Previn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@randyelliott6036
I am 64 years old; however, my body still feels 40.
This song......speaks volumes
@belga3513
Same here.😊
@highlightoftheday7058
@randyelliott6036
Fellow 64 er. Likewise. Dionne's songs were a strong memory of my earlier years.
@lorrainejohnson5461
65 here. I love this song and the movie too!
@cheaplaughkennedy2318
65 here , I remember this , really beautiful song.
@secretdoorgaming2024
I am in my 40's yet feel in my 60's lol guess that's not normal.
@sidemann8593
Dionne Warwick and Karen Carpenter two of the world's most soothing voices.
@StephanYourdam
Two of the most tender voices ever
@jamesscura7122
Dionne said nobody had a smoother voice than Karen.
@CSB3747
Also Marylin McCoo