Known as the artist who "bridged the gap," Warwick's soulful blend of pop, gospel and R&B music transcended racial, cultural, national, and musical boundaries.
Throughout the 1980's and 1990's, Warwick collaborated with many of her musical peers, including Johnny Mathis, Smokey Robinson, Luther Vandross, Jeffrey Osbourne, Kashif and Stevie Wonder. Warwick was also host of the hit television music show, "Solid Gold." In addition, she recorded several theme songs, including "Champagne Wishes & Caviar Dreams," for the popular television series "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous," and "The Love Boat," for the hit series from Aaron Spelling. More recently, Warwick recorded her first Christmas album entitled "My Favorite Time of the Year" featured jazzy interpretations of many holiday classics. In 2007, Rhino Records re-released the CD with new cover art, a critically acclaimed Gospel album, "Why We Sing," for Rhino/Warner Records, and a new jazz album, "Only Trust Your Heart," a collection of standards, celebrating the music of legendary composer Sammy Cahn for Sony Red/MPCA Records.
Dionne Warwick has won 5 Grammy Awards during her music career:
• 1969: "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance" for the single, "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?"
• 1971: "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance" for the single, "I'll Never Fall in Love Again"
• 1979: "Best Female R&B Vocal Performance" for the single, "Déjà Vu"
• 1979: "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance" for the single, "I'll Never Love This Way Again"
• 1986: "Best Pop Performance By a Duo or Group With Vocal" for the single, "That's What Friends Are For"
Dionne Warwick was born in a musical family of which numerous superstars arose.
Warwick's sister Dee Dee Warwick had a successful singing career, Warwick's aunt is gospel singer Cissy Houston, and one of Warwick's cousins is Whitney Houston.
I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself
Dionne Warwick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't know just what to do with myself
I'm so used to doing everything with you
Planning everything for two
And now that we're through
I just don't know what to do with my time
I'm so lonesome for you, it's a crime
Parties make me feel as bad
When I'm not with you, I just don't know what to do
Like a summer rose
Needs the sun and rain
I need your sweet love to beat all the pain
I just don't know what to do with myself
I don't know just what to do with myself
Oh baby, if your new love ever turns you down
Come on back, I will be around
Just waiting for you, I don't know what else to do
Like a summer rose
Needs the sun and rain
I need your sweet, sweet love to beat (to beat)
I need your sweet sweet love to beat (to beat)
All the pain
Dionne Warwick's "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself" is a poignant and emotional song about lost love. The song conveys the heartache and sense of disorientation felt by the singer now that she is no longer with her significant other. She describes the feeling of not knowing what to do with herself, as all the things she used to do with her partner feel empty and meaningless now that he's gone. She finds no joy in everyday activities like going to the movies or attending parties, as they only serve to remind her of what she's lost.
The central metaphor of the song is the image of a summer rose needing both sun and rain to thrive. The singer compares herself to the rose, saying that she needs her partner's love to beat the pain of their separation. The haunting and soulful quality of Warwick's voice brings out the raw emotion of the lyrics, lending them an almost universal appeal. The song serves as a touching tribute to the pain, loss, and nostalgia that are an inevitable part of every love story.
Line by Line Meaning
I just don't know what to do with myself
I am lost and confused without you; I don't know how to live my life on my own.
Don't know just what to do with myself
I don't have any direction or purpose without you in my life.
I'm so used to doing everything with you
We were so close that we did everything together; I've become dependent on you.
Planning everything for two
We made plans together, and now I don't know how to make plans for just myself.
And now that we're through
Our relationship is over, and I'm struggling to adjust to life without you.
I just don't know what to do with my time
My free time feels empty and meaningless without you to spend it with.
I'm so lonesome for you, it's a crime
I feel incredibly sad and lonely without you in my life; it's almost unbearable.
Going to a movie only makes me sad
Things that used to bring me joy, like going to the movies, now just make me feel even worse because you're not there to share them with me.
Parties make me feel as bad
Even trying to socialize and have fun without you feels like a painful reminder of what I've lost.
When I'm not with you, I just don't know what to do
I'm completely lost and without purpose when you're not by my side.
Like a summer rose
Similar to how a rose needs both sun and rain to survive,
Needs the sun and rain
I need your love and care to survive and thrive.
I need your sweet love to beat all the pain
Your love is the only thing that can heal the pain I'm feeling right now.
Oh baby, if your new love ever turns you down
If your new love doesn't work out, know that I'll still be here for you.
Come on back, I will be around
I'll always be here for you, no matter what happens.
Just waiting for you, I don't know what else to do
I'm still completely devoted to you, and waiting for you to come back to me is all I can do.
I need your sweet, sweet love to beat (to beat)
Once again, it's clear that I can only find happiness and healing through your love.
All the pain
The pain of losing you is unbearable, and the only way to get past it is to have you back in my life.
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Hal David, Burt F. Bacharach
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Aline Dowd
on I Cry Alone
Brings back oh so many memories.