Dionne Warwick (born December 12, 1940 in East Orange, New Jersey, as Marie… Read Full Bio ↴Dionne Warwick (born December 12, 1940 in East Orange, New Jersey, as Marie Dionne Warrick) is a five-time Grammy Award winning American singer, actress and television presenter. Having been in a partnership with songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David for years, Warwick ranks among the 40 biggest hit makers of the entire rock era (1955–2012), based on the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles Charts. As of January 2013, Warwick ranks second behind only Aretha Franklin (who has a total of 88 charted Billboard singles) as the most-charted female vocalist of all time with 56 of Dionne's singles making the Billboard Hot 100 between 1962 and 1998.

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 Wish You Love
Dionne Warwick Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Goodbye, no use leading with our chins
This is where our story ends
Never lovers, ever friends

Goodbye, let our hearts call it a day
But before you walk away
I sincerely want to say

I wish you bluebirds in the spring
To give your heart a song to sing
And then a kiss but more than this
I wish you love

And in July a lemonade
To cool you in some leafy glade
I wish you health and more than wealth
I wish you love

My breaking heart and I agree
That you and I could never be
So with my best, my very best
I set you free

I wish you shelter from the storm
A cozy fire to keep you warm
But most of all when snowflakes fall
I wish you love

My breaking heart and I agree
That you and I could never be
So with my best, my very best
I set you free

I wish you shelter from the storm
A cozy fire to keep you warm

But most of all when snowflakes fall
I wish you love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Dionne Warwick's song I Wish You Love convey an emotional goodbye between two people who cannot be together romantically but still care for one another deeply. The song acknowledges the end of their story but also wishes the other person the best in life. The beginning of the song acknowledges that they were never lovers but were always friends, and this acknowledgement sets the tone for the rest of the song.

The first stanza says goodbye, but not without wishing the other well. The singer tells the other that she wished them bluebirds in the spring and more than just one kiss. The second stanza continues with the well wishes, extending them to the summer months, wishing the other health and, more importantly, love. This is the main theme of the song, as it is a common idea that people want for each other.

The last stanza repeats the idea of setting the other person free, emphasizing that they cannot be together romantically. However, this doesn't mean that the singer doesn't care for the other anymore. As the song closes, the singer wishes the other shelter from the storm and warmth from a fire, but most of all, she wishes the other love. This final sentiment captures the essence of the song: even though they cannot be together, the singer wants nothing but the best for the other person.

Line by Line Meaning

Goodbye, no use leading with our chins
We don't need to pretend or put on a brave face as we say goodbye

This is where our story ends
Our relationship is over

Never lovers, ever friends
We were never romantic partners, only just friends

Goodbye, let our hearts call it a day
Let's end things now, emotionally, as well

But before you walk away
Just wait, there's something I want to say

I sincerely want to say
I mean what I'm about to say

I wish you bluebirds in the spring
I hope you find joy and happiness

To give your heart a song to sing
Something that makes your heart feel light and full of life

And then a kiss but more than this
A sweet gesture of affection, but there's more I hope for you

I wish you love
I hope you find love and all its joys

And in July a lemonade
I hope you find simple pleasures and enjoy them