I'll Close My Eyes
Quincy Jones & Dinah Washington Lyrics


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Heaven sends
A song through its doors
Just as if it seems to know
I'm exclusively yours
Knowing this
I feel but one way
You will understand too
In these words that I say
I'll close my eyes
To everyone but you
And when I do
I'll see you standing there
Mmh, I'll lock my heart
To any other caress
I'll never say yes
To a new love affair
I'll close my eyes
To everything that's gay
If you're not there
To share each lovely day
And through the years
Those moments
When we're far apart
I close my eyes
Mmh, and see you with my heart
I'll close my eyes
To everything that's gay
But if you're not there
To share each lovely day
And through the years
Those moments
When we're far apart




I'll close my eyes
Oh, and see you with my heart

Overall Meaning

In the song "I'll Close My Eyes," Quincy Jones and Dinah Washington convey the deep emotions and devotion one has towards their lover. The song opens with the idea of something divine- the heaven sends a song through its doors, indicating that something important is about to happen. The singer then goes on to express how exclusive they are with their lover; they feel that they belong to each other, and there is no one else they would rather be with. The lyrics "I'll close my eyes to everyone but you, and when I do, I'll see you standing there" signifies a deep connection between the two that nothing can break apart.


The singer pledges loyalty to their lover, saying that they will never say yes to a new love affair, revealing their dedication and commitment to their partner. They choose to close their eyes to everything that's happy, stating that their lover is the only one that brings happiness and joy to them. Even when the two are apart, the singer sees their partner with the heart, their love is so strong that it overpowers the physical distance. The song ends with the singer saying that they will close their eyes and see their lover in their heart, indicating that their love is so pure and profound that it transcends everything else.


Line by Line Meaning

Heaven sends
Divine intervention leads to a song coming to me


A song through its doors
This song comes to me like a gift from the universe


Just as if it seems to know
As if the song knows that I belong only to you


I'm exclusively yours
I know that my love and my heart are exclusively yours


Knowing this
Because I know how I feel about you


I feel but one way
I have only one way to show you how I feel


You will understand too
You will know what I mean when you hear my words


In these words that I say
In this song, I want to tell you how I feel


I'll close my eyes
When I think of you, you are the only one I see


To everyone but you
I only have eyes for you


And when I do
When I close my eyes


I'll see you standing there
I see you in my mind's eye, as if you were right in front of me


Mmh, I'll lock my heart
I'll keep my heart locked and only give it to you


To any other caress
I won't let anyone else touch me the way you do


I'll never say yes
I won't fall for anyone else ever again


To a new love affair
I'm committed to you, and only you


I'll close my eyes
Even when I'm surrounded by beauty and happiness


To everything that's gay
I won't indulge in anything without you by my side


If you're not there
If you're not there to share these moments with me


To share each lovely day
To share every beautiful moment with you


And through the years
As we grow old together


Those moments
The memories of our time together


When we're far apart
When we can't be together physically


Mmh, and see you with my heart
I'll remember you in my heart and feel your presence with me always




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BILLY REID, BUDDY KAYE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@jerryj920

August 29th: Happy birthday Jazz/Blues/R&B/Gospel/Pop Singer Ruth Lee Jones / Dinah Washington (1924-1963)-Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, 3 Grammy Hall of fame Awards. Pure singer, RIP....she shares a birthdate with Jazz Saxophonist Charlie "Bird" Parker (1920-1965)-4 Grammy Hall of Fame Awards, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame; both on my Soul Heaven / Birthdays on FB playlist. Thank you, RoundMidnightTV for the upload. Blessings...

@annalaw4684

Lovely GOD gifted vocals, befitting for a beautiful woman, lady Washington, rest in paradise Ms. Washington!!!!!

@waltergray7722

Thank you for sharing this gem.

@annalaw4684

What a classy, beautiful, talented lady!!!!!!!! Wow........ how this lovely, wonderful music reminds me of a innocent, pure, sweet time of yester year.  I'd  peek around a corner into our living room, watching my parents gaze into one another's eyes, seemingly deeply in love, as they two stepped, with style and grace to this tune.  Such a beautiful time and space, the fabulous fifties!!!!!!!!! Thank you for this beautiful post!!!!!

@Nutriloc1

Such a wonderful post.......thank you so much

@stevensmith4498

This is the best version of this song! And I’m not just saying that because it was my wedding song, which it was. The pacing of it, and perfect accompaniment, sets it apart fro other arrangements. Thanks for sharing!

@84s77

Washington is the capital of feMALE jazz singers.

@YourAnjl

One of my favorite singers of her era.  Thank you!

@msconcerned100

Before my time but I can hear her…

@barbarapendragon4976

beautiful orchestration, Mr. Q

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