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 Her refusal at first was later rescinded and sparked a revitalized interest in performing and recording.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.
Something
Phyllis Dillon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Attracts me like no other lover
Something in the way he woos me
I don't want to leave him now
You know I believe and how
Somewhere in his smile he knows
Something in the style he shows me
I don't want to leave him now
You know I believe and how
You're asking me will my love grow
I don't know, I don't know
You stick around now it may show
I don't know, I don't know
Something in the way he knows
And all I have to do is think of him
Something in the things he shows me
I Don't want to leave him now
You know I believe and how
You're asking me will my love grow
I don't know, I don't know
You stick around now it may show
I don't know, I don't know
Something in the way he moves
And all I have to do is think of him
Something in the things he shows me
I Don't want to leave him now
You know I believe and how
In the song "Something" by Phyllis Dillon, the lyrics express a deep attraction and love that the singer has for someone. The first line "Something in the way he moves" immediately indicates that the attraction is physical, but it is not just that - there is something deeper and more profound that draws her to him. The repetition of "something" throughout the song emphasizes the enigmatic and mysterious quality of her emotions.
The second verse "Somewhere in his smile he knows, that all I have to do is think of him" suggests that the singer's love for this person is reciprocated. He understands and feels the depth of her emotions, making her feel seen and understood. This line also suggests that their connection goes beyond physical attraction; there is something deeper that connects them.
The pre-chorus "You're asking me will my love grow, I don't know, I don't know / You stick around now it may show, I don't know, I don't know" suggests that the singer is uncertain about the future of their relationship. However, the repetition of "I don't know" suggests that this uncertainty is not a source of angst or anxiety; it reflects the complex and multi-layered nature of love.
Overall, the lyrics of "Something" capture the enigmatic and mysterious nature of love. The attraction is deeper than just physical; it is immersive and all-encompassing. The lyrics express a vulnerability and openness that is both persuasive and convincing.
Line by Line Meaning
Something in the way he moves
His movements have a captivating quality that draws me towards him
Attracts me like no other lover
There is a unique allure to him that sets him apart from anyone else I have ever loved
Something in the way he woos me
There is a certain charm to his romantic gestures that makes them very appealing to me
I don't want to leave him now
I am so deeply in love with him that the thought of being apart from him is unbearable
You know I believe and how
My feelings for him are strong and unwavering
Somewhere in his smile he knows
There is a knowing quality to his smile, as though he understands how much he means to me
That all I have to do is think of him
He is constantly on my mind, and I am reminded of him by even the smallest things
Something in the style he shows me
The way he presents himself to me is very appealing and attractive
You're asking me will my love grow
You want to know if my feelings for him will continue to deepen over time
I don't know, I don't know
I am unsure about what the future holds for our relationship
You stick around now it may show
If you stay with me, there is a chance that we will continue to fall more deeply in love
Something in the way he knows
He seems to understand my deepest desires and needs
And all I have to do is think of him
He is always on my mind, and thinking of him brings me a great deal of happiness
Something in the things he shows me
The way he shares himself with me is incredibly endearing and heartwarming
I Don't want to leave him now
My desire to be close to him is so strong that I cannot bear the thought of being apart from him
You know I believe and how
I have full faith in our relationship and the depths of my love for him
Contributed by Leah H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
NaNa Tsingo
Who is here after Harry’s selection?
Paddy Eejit
Question: Harry who? Please tell me!!!
Rejeane Ariño
his music taste is immaculate
Aurora
Me. Loving his taste in music :))
Miss Minaj
🙋♀️
Dean Perry
best cover ever. Love it.
soulfoodie1
Stella McCartney just chose this as one of her 8 Desert Island Discs for the long running BBC radio show!
Kira O'Reilly
me and all
Alexander Ross
That's what brought me here too!
๓คгเ๏ ๏гՇเو๏չค
Beautiful cover!!!