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.
Wives and Lovers
Dionne Warwick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Comb your hair, fix your make-up
Soon he will open the door
Don't think because
There's a ring on your finger
You needn't try any more
For wives should always be lovers, too Run to his arms the moment he comes home to you
I'm warning you
Day after day
There are girls at the office
And men will always be men
Don't send him off
With your hair still in curlers
You may not see him again
For wives should always be lovers, too
Run to his arms the moment he comes home to you
He's almost here
Hey, little girl
Better wear something pretty
Something you'd wear to go to the city
And dim all the lights
Pour the wine, start the music
Time to get ready for love
Oh, time to get ready,
Time to get ready
Time to get ready
For love.
The song "Wives and Lovers" by Dionne Warwick is a cautionary tale aimed at women who are also wives: essentially, the song encourages women to continue to court their husbands and keep the spark in their marriage alive. The opening verse admonishes the listener to make sure she is presentable for her husband when he comes home, regardless of whether she is married to him, suggesting that the way a woman appears and carries herself is directly related to her husband's interest and devotion. The chorus then asserts that wives should always be lovers - in other words, that romance should not die simply because a couple is married. The second verse acknowledges the reality of infidelity, with the lyrics acknowledging that there will always be women at the office and women who will pursue married men, suggesting that a wife should take steps to ensure that her husband remains interested in her. Finally, the bridge instructs the listener to prepare for a night of romance, with various suggestions for setting the mood.
While the song itself is catchy and upbeat, the underlying message is one that many women find deeply problematic. The assumption that it is a woman's job to keep a man interested and devoted, regardless of his own behavior or contributions to the relationship, is one that feels outdated and unfair. Additionally, the idea that a woman must be constantly fixing herself up and pandering to her husband's whims in order to keep him interested seems to put an unfair burden on women that men are not subject to.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, little girl
Addressing young women who are married.
Comb your hair, fix your make-up
Get ready and dress up nicely, put on some makeup before your husband comes home.
Soon he will open the door
Expect your husband to come home soon.
Don't think because
Don't think that just because you're married, you don't need to make an effort anymore.
There's a ring on your finger
Just because you have a wedding ring on doesn't mean you can be careless.
You needn't try any more
Don't stop putting effort into your relationship just because you're married.
For wives should always be lovers, too
Wives should also put in effort in the relationship, as they are also lovers to their husbands.
Run to his arms the moment he comes home to you
Be excited and happy to see your husband when he comes home.
I'm warning you
This is a warning to married women to keep putting in effort in their marriages.
Day after day
Every day, without fail.
There are girls at the office
There are other women that your husband interacts with at work.
And men will always be men
Men are still naturally attracted to women.
Don't send him off
Don't let your husband go out to work without putting effort into your appearance.
With your hair still in curlers
Don't let your hair be disheveled or unfinished.
You may not see him again
You don't know what could happen to your husband outside, you won't know when you will see him again.
He's almost here
Your husband is almost home.
Better wear something pretty
Put on something pretty or attractive to wear for your husband.
Something you'd wear to go to the city
Similar to wearing something fancy or attractive to go out somewhere nice.
And dim all the lights
Set a romantic mood by dimming the lights.
Pour the wine, start the music
Set the mood even more by serving wine and playing music.
Time to get ready for love
Prepare yourself emotionally for a romantic night with your husband.
Oh, time to get ready,
Repeating and emphasizing the need to prepare for romance.
Time to get ready
Repeating the previous line's emphasis.
Time to get ready
Almost a final reminder to prepare one's self for intimacy.
For love.
The song ends with a clear message: to prepare one's self for love and intimacy with one's partner.
Contributed by James R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@theendofanerror4173
Thanks The First Wives Club for introducing this song to me back in the day when I saw the movie.
@DarleneRamsey-ps3ky
Go see Ms.Warwick in concert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!❤❤❤❤!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@koapakakaluhiokalani4507
Just found my way here❤
@assaniase8638
First Wives Club brought me here
@IVoke111
Thank you LizGillz, bless both of you lady artists🌠
@emmalacina7391
K so I'm not the only one
@heyitsNIZAH
The wicked humor of LizGillz. Laughed when she said how poignant it is.
@SMPMS8389
Liz!!!!!!
@ebdr07
Incredible song. Who was brought here because of First Wives Club?
@richardsteele1227
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ 0:09