Dillon was born in 1944 in Linstead, St. Catherine, Jamaica.[1] Influenced by American singers Connie Francis, Patti Page and Dionne Warwick, she began singing in talent contests. It was during a performance at the Glass Bucket Club in Kingston, Jamaica with the group The Vulcans, that Duke Reid's session guitarist Lynn Taitt discovered Dillon.[1]
Dillon was 22 when she recorded her first record for Duke Reid. In 1967, Reid released Dillon's "Don’t Stay Away". While most of Dillon’s subsequent recordings would be covers of popular and obscure American songs including Bettye Swann's "Make Me Yours", Perry Como's "Tulips and Heather," The Grass Roots "Midnight Confessions", and Stephen Stills's "Love the One You're With"; "Don't Stay Away" was an original composition featuring Tommy McCook and the Supersonics as the backing band.
Another original song, "It’s Rocking Time" would later be turned into the Alton Ellis' hit "Rocksteady". While these early recordings demonstrate Dillon's mastery of the rocksteady sound, a much slower, soulful, response to the sultry weather that made ska's upbeat rhythm and tempo undesirable even impracticable, it was no indication of her greatest performance, 1967’s "Perfidia". Popularized by the American surf rock band The Ventures, "Perfidia" is a 1940 song written by Alberto Domínguez and made popular by the Cuban bandleader, Xavier Cugat.
At the end of 1967, Dillon moved to New York.[1] The following five years, she spent living a double life. She had a family and career in the United States, flying frequently back to Kingston, Jamaica to continue recording for Reid.
After a number of singles and an album entitled Living in Love, Dillon ended her recording career in 1971. She was 27 years old.
In 1991, Michael Bonnet, the entertainment director for the Oceanea Hotel in Kingston approached Dillon inviting her to sing. Her refusal at first was later rescinded and sparked a revitalized interest in performing and recording. In the years following, Dillion would tour the UK, Germany and Japan.
In 1998 Phyllis Dillon returned to the recording studio with Lynn Taitt, marked by reinterest in ska music in the United States. She remained active until illness took hold.
Phyllis Dillon died on 15 April 2004 in New York, after a two year battle with cancer, at the age of 59.
Love the One You're With
Phyllis Dillon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you don't remember what are you talkin' about
Conversation slips away
Because your baby is so far away
Well, there's a rose in a mistery garden
And the eagle flies with the dove
And if you can't be with the one you love, honey
Love the one you're with
You've got to love the one you're with
Love the one you're with
Don't be angry, don't be sad,
Don't sit cryin' talkin' of the good times you had,
Well there's a boy sittin' right next to you
And he's just waiting for something you do
Well, there's a rose in a mistery garden
And the eagle flies with the dove
And if you can't be with the one you love honey
Love the one you're with
Love the one you're with
You've got to love the one you're with
Love the one you're with
Well, there's a rose in a mistery garden
And the eagle flies with the dove
And if you can't be with the one you love honey
Love the one you're with
You've got to love the one you're with
Love the one you're with
Love the one you're with
The song "Love the One You're With" by Phyllis Dillon begins with lyrics that describe a moment of confusion and frustration when you're missing someone you love and you can't seem to focus. The conversation slips away, and you're left feeling down and alone. However, the song quickly turns to an optimistic message urging the listener to focus on the present moment and the people around them. The chorus repeats the phrase "Love the one you're with" as a reminder to appreciate who and what you have in the present moment, rather than lamenting the absence of the one you love.
The second verse reinforces the message that the person you're with deserves your attention and love. The song tells the listener not to dwell on the past or the person who is not there, but to focus on the person in front of them. The lyrics highlight the potential for new connections and relationships to form if you let go of the past and embrace the present.
Overall, "Love the One You're With" is a message of positivity and presence. The song urges the listener to appreciate the people and things in their current situation, rather than getting lost in their longing for something or someone else.
Line by Line Meaning
If you're down and confused
When you're feeling low and unsure
And you don't remember what are you talkin' about
And you can't seem to keep a conversation going
Conversation slips away
The discussion drifts apart
Because your baby is so far away
Due to the distance between you and your loved one
Well, there's a rose in a mistery garden
Though, there are good things to be found even amidst uncertainty
And the eagle flies with the dove
Even the seemingly opposite can come together in harmony
And if you can't be with the one you love, honey
If you can't be with your preferred partner
Love the one you're with
Focus on the company you have and appreciate them fully
Love the one you're with
Cherish the present moment's companion
You've got to love the one you're with
It's essential to embrace those by your side
Don't be angry, don't be sad,
Avoid resentment and sorrow
Don't sit cryin' talkin' of the good times you had,
Avoid reminiscing about what you can no longer have
Well there's a boy sittin' right next to you
A potential companion may be already present
And he's just waiting for something you do
And they might be attracted to you, waiting for the right signal
Well, there's a rose in a mistery garden
Good things remain to be discovered even amidst uncertainty
And the eagle flies with the dove
Even the seemingly opposite can come together in harmony
And if you can't be with the one you love honey
Once again acknowledging that your preferred partner might not be present
Love the one you're with
Continue to focus on the present companion and appreciate them for who they are
You've got to love the one you're with
And once again emphasizing how important it is to appreciate those by your side
Love the one you're with
Reminding again that cherishing whomever is by your side is crucial
Contributed by Levi R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.