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 Her refusal at first was later rescinded and sparked a revitalized interest in performing and recording.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.
The Love That a Woman Should Give a Man
Phyllis Dillon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My love
Deep inside
I know I kept on stalling
Afraid you′d do damage to my pride
My love was only a young love
But grown-up am I to give real love
Baby
I'm ready now for the love that a woman should give to a man
Darling, you′ve been patient to wait
Oh, so long
But you can bet I'll make up
For love, I childishly thought wrong
And now I feel like a woman
Lover, I want what you needed
Baby
I'm ready now for the love that a woman should give to a man
Please forgive this little girl
Wasn′t sure that you really loved her
And please accept this gift of love
I offer only to you
And now and forever
Let me stay
By your side
Any time you want me
I′ll be there, you can bet I'll never hide
Darling, I′m all for the asking
Always on call, everlasting
Baby
I'm ready now for the love that a woman should give to a man
Please forgive this little girl
Wasn′t sure that you really loved her
And please accept this gift of love
I offer only to you
And now and forever
Let me stay
By your side
Any time you want me
I'll be there, you can bet I′ll never hide
Darling, I'm yours for the asking
Always on call, everlasting
Baby
I'm ready now for the love that a woman should give to a man
Oh, I′m ready now
Ready for the love
That a woman should give to a man
Oh, I′m ready now
Ready for the love
Ready for the love...
In Phyllis Dillon's song "The Love That a Woman Should Give a Man," she sings about finally being ready to fully love her partner. She admits that in the past, she held back on giving him her love due to fear of being vulnerable and having her pride hurt. Now, she is a grown woman who is ready to give him the love that he deserves. She asks for forgiveness for her previous childish behavior and promises to be there for him whenever he needs her. Dillon emphasizes that she is ready for the love that a woman should give to a man, indicating that she understands the importance of being emotionally available and supportive in a relationship.
The song beautifully highlights the evolution of a romantic relationship, from the tentative beginnings of young love to the full-blown commitment that comes with maturity. It also showcases the growth and empowerment of a woman who has finally come to terms with her feelings and is ready to express them. Overall, the lyrics demonstrate the importance of vulnerability, forgiveness, and empathy in a healthy and fulfilling romantic relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I know I never gave you
I am aware that I have never given you
My love
My affection
Deep inside
Within me
I know I kept on stalling
I am aware that I kept delaying
Afraid you’d do damage to my pride
Fearful that you would harm my ego
My love was only a young love
My affection was immature
But grown-up am I to give real love
But now I am mature enough to offer true affection
Baby
Term of affection for lover
I'm ready now for the love that a woman should give to a man
I am now prepared to provide the type of affection expected from a woman to a man
Darling, you've been patient to wait
Beloved, you have shown patience in waiting
Oh, so long
For such a length of time
But you can bet I’ll make up
However, you can trust that I will compensate
For love, I childishly thought wrong
I had misconceptions about what love entails, but I have grown past that now
And now I feel like a woman
I have developed into a grown woman
Lover, I want what you needed
My beloved, I desire to give you what you require
Please forgive this little girl
I request that you pardon this youthful version of myself
Wasn't sure that you really loved her
I had doubts about your true affection towards me
And please accept this gift of love
And please accept this gesture of my affection
I offer only to you
I present it solely to you
And now and forever
From now and into eternity
Let me stay
Allow me to remain
By your side
Next to you
Any time you want me
Whenever you require my presence
I'll be there, you can bet I'll never hide
I will undoubtedly show up and never conceal myself
Darling, I'm all for the asking
Beloved, I am open to whatever you ask of me
Always on call, everlasting
Persistently available, forever
Oh, I'm ready now
Oh, I am now prepared
Ready for the love
Prepared to offer affection
That a woman should give to a man
The type of love that is expected from a woman to a man
Ready for the love
Prepared to offer affection
Writer(s): Andy Badale
Contributed by Josiah H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@autiacrump5479
Rocking dis chune in 2023❤
@yvonneragnatt3045
Wicked song. One of Jamaica's Best Female artist. Love this song. Also Patti Drew's version
@vinnytaylor1189
One of Jamaica's best female singer,, R.I.P Phyllis Dillon.
@tniaa77
The best
@dfaridee
The Dionne Warwick of Jamaican Music is this lady with her ease and seductive style. Rest in peace Miss Dillon.
@newtings7063
I ENDORSE UR OBSERVATION....WOW..JUST LOVE HER STYLE
@kayvancooten4657
There are not many covers that I feel beat the original hands down. The production of this version is genius. The wall of sound that the instruments provide in combination with Phyliss's pretty vocals are a match made in heaven. ❤🎶
@normalescene7467
I agree with you Ms Kay Van Cooten 💯. This is a remarkable cover by Ms Phyllis Dillon. R.I.P
@normalescene7467
The wall of sound is sooo beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed her cover.
@courtneyscott1874
Beautiful voice Ms.Phyllis Dillon R.I.P. my dear 😘☹😭❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤