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.
Once in a Lifetime
Dionne Warwick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someone I’ve needed so long
For once unafraid I can go where life leads me and somehow I know I’ll be strong
For once I can touch what my heart used to dream of
Long before I knew
Someone warm like you
Who have my dreams come true
For once in my life I won't let sorrow hurt me
Not like it's hurt me before
For once I have someone I know won't desert me
I’m not alone anymore
For once I can say
This is mine you can’t take it
As long as I know I have love I can make it
For once in my life I have someone who needs me
For once I can say
This is mine you can’t take it
As long as I know I have love we can make it
For once in my life I have someone who needs me
The lyrics to Dionne Warwick's Once in a Lifetime is about the joy of finding that one special person in life who can make all your dreams come true. It's a celebration of finally having someone who needs you, after having waited for so long. The singer is rejoicing in the fact that she's found someone she can rely on and who won't let her down. The lyrics express a sense of empowerment that comes with having this special someone in their life.
The first stanza talks about the newfound confidence that the singer has after finding this person. They are finally unafraid to face life head-on, knowing that they have someone to support and encourage them. The second stanza speaks to the long-held dreams of the singer's heart which have finally come to fruition. They have found someone warm and loving who has made all their dreams come true.
The chorus is where the singer really shines. For once in their life, they won't let sorrow hurt them like it has before. They finally have someone who won't desert them, and they're not alone anymore. They can confidently proclaim that what they have found is theirs, and nothing can take it away. As long as they have love, they know they can make it. The song's message is clear - true love can heal all wounds and give one the strength to face life's challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
For once in my life I have someone who needs me
I have found someone who relies on me and needs me in their life; this is a new experience for me.
Someone I've needed so long
I have long yearned for someone like this in my life.
For once unafraid I can go where life leads me and somehow I know I’ll be strong
Having this person in my life gives me a newfound courage to face whatever comes my way with confidence.
For once I can touch what my heart used to dream of, long before I knew someone warm like you who have my dreams come true
Being with this person makes me feel like my deepest desires and dreams have finally been fulfilled.
For once in my life I won’t let sorrow hurt me, not like it’s hurt me before
With this person by my side, I feel empowered to face any past pain or sorrow and not let it affect me like it once did.
For once I have someone I know won't desert me, I'm not alone anymore
Knowing that this person is committed to staying with me brings me comfort and assures me that I am not alone in this world.
For once I can say, this is mine you can't take it, as long as I know I have love I can make it
This person and the love we share is something that is precious to me and cannot be taken away; knowing this gives me the strength to overcome any challenges.
For once in my life I have someone who needs me
Having this person in my life is a rare and special occurrence that I am deeply grateful for.
For once I can say, this is mine you can't take it, as long as I know I have love we can make it, for once in my life I have someone who needs me
Reiterating the joy and gratitude of having someone who loves and needs me, and the strength and security that comes with that.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ronald N. Miller, Orlando Murden
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Aline Dowd
on I Cry Alone
Brings back oh so many memories.