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.

Message To Michael
Dionne Warwick Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Spread your wings for New Orleans
Kentucky bluebird, fly away

And take a message to Michael, message to Michael
He sings each night in some cafe
In his search to find wealth and fame
I hear Michael has gone and changed his name

It's a year since he was here
Kentucky bluebird, fly away

And take a message to Michael, message to Michael
Tell him I miss him more each day
As his train pulled out down the track
Michael promised he'd soon be coming back

Oh tell him how my heart just breaks in two
Since he journeyed far
And even though his dreams of fame fell through
To me he will always be a star

Spread your wings for New Orleans
Kentucky bluebird, fly away

And take a message to Michael, message to Michael
Ask him to start for home today
When you find him please let him know
Rich or poor, I will always love him so

Fly away, Kentucky bluebird

Fly away, Kentucky bluebird
Fly away, fly away, fly away, fly away

Overall Meaning

The beginning of “Message to Michael” by Dionne Warwick sends a message to a Kentucky bluebird asking it to fly to New Orleans and bring a message to the singer's lost love, Michael. Michael has departed for the big city in search of wealth and fame, leaving his sweetheart behind. The singer laments that it's been a year since Michael last visited her, but it feels like much longer. She wants the bluebird to tell Michael that she misses him desperately and that her heart is breaking in two without him.

Despite not finding fame, the singer still views Michael as a star, and regardless of his financial status, she promises to love him forever. The song has a melancholic tone, and Warwick's voice expresses the singer's longing and sadness effortlessly. “Message to Michael” is a poignant reflection on love and loss, which has touched many hearts over the years.

Line by Line Meaning

Spread your wings for New Orleans
Go far and fly to New Orleans

Kentucky bluebird, fly away
Spread your wings like a bluebird from Kentucky and fly away

And take a message to Michael, message to Michael
Bring a message to Michael

He sings each night in some cafe
Michael is singing every night in a cafe

In his search to find wealth and fame
Michael is trying to find fame and fortune

I hear Michael has gone and changed his name
It is rumored that Michael has changed his name

It's a year since he was here
It has been a year since Michael was last here

Tell him I miss him more each day
Inform Michael that I miss him more each day

As his train pulled out down the track
As the train pulls away and he leaves

Michael promised he'd soon be coming back
Michael promised he would return soon

Oh tell him how my heart just breaks in two
Tell Michael how heartbroken I am