Dinah
The Mills Brothers Bing Crosby Lyrics


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Dinah
Is there anyone finer
In the state of Carolina?
If there is and you know her
Show her to me

Dinah
Got those Dixie eyes blazin'
How I love to sit and gazin'
To the eyes of Dinah Lee

Every night why do I
Shake with fright?
'Cause my Dinah might
Change her mind about me

Oh, Dinah
Should you wander to China
I would hop an ocean liner
Just to be with Dinah Lee

Dinah
Is there anyone finer
In the state of Carolina?
If there is and you know her and you know her
Show her to me

Dinah
Got those Dixie eyes blazin'
How I love to sit and gazin'
To the eyes of Dinah Lee

My Dinah every night why do I
Shake with fright?
Because my Dinah might
Change her mind about me

Dinah
If you wander to China
I would hop an ocean liner
Just to be with Dinah Lee

Every night why do I
Shake with fright?
'Cause my Dinah might
Change her mind about me

The name of this song is Dinah
Said it
The name of this song is Dinah
Snag it
The name of this song is Dinah
Ah, tell it
The name of this song is Dinah

Dinah
Wander to China
The state of Carolina
Listen, and you know her
I would like to have you show her to me

Dinah
Got those Dixie eyes blazin'
How I love to sit and gazin'
To the eyes of Dinah Lee

Oh, Dinah
Should you wander to China




I would get me an ocean liner
Just to be with Dinah Lee

Overall Meaning

The song Dinah, originally recorded by the Mills Brothers in 1932, and later covered by Bing Crosby, is a love song that expresses the deep admiration a man has for a woman named Dinah. The lyrics are straightforward and reveal the singer’s desire to be with Dinah, who he believes is the finest woman in the state of Carolina. The singer mentions the power of Dinah’s eyes, stating how he loves just sitting and gazing into them. However, the singer reveals his apprehension and fear that Dinah might change her mind about him. Thus, he pleads with her not to wander to China, as he will do anything just to be with her.


Bing Crosby’s version of the song adds a new dimension to the already beautiful melody. Crosby improvises and plays with the lyrics, giving the song a personal touch. The repetition of the lyrics, “The name of this song is Dinah,” emphasises the importance of Dinah and the beauty of the song itself. Furthermore, Crosby’s voice is soothing, clear, and melodic, making the song more heart-warming.


Line by Line Meaning

Dinah
This song is about a woman named Dinah.


Is there anyone finer
Asking if there is a better-looking woman than Dinah.


In the state of Carolina?
Specifically asking if there is a better-looking woman than Dinah in the state of Carolina.


If there is and you know her
Asking the listener to introduce anyone they know who is better-looking than Dinah.


Show her to me
Asking the listener to physically show Dinah the better-looking woman, if there is one.


Got those Dixie eyes blazin'
Describing Dinah's beautiful eyes that sparkle like those of a Southern belle.


How I love to sit and gazin'
Expressing admiration for Dinah and how much the singer loves looking into her eyes.


To the eyes of Dinah Lee
Repeating how much the singer loves looking into Dinah's beautiful eyes.


Every night why do I
Questioning why the singer feels a sense of dread every night.


Shake with fright?
Describing the singer's feelings of anxiety.


'Cause my Dinah might
Explaining the reason for the anxiety is the fear that Dinah might do something to end their relationship.


Change her mind about me
Describing the possible action that would lead to the end of the relationship.


Should you wander to China
Hypothetically considering the possibility of Dinah leaving for China.


I would hop an ocean liner
Expressing the singer's willingness to do anything to be with Dinah, even traveling across the ocean to China.


Just to be with Dinah Lee
Reiterating the singer's intense love for Dinah.


The name of this song is Dinah
Reminding the listener that the song is called 'Dinah.'


Said it
Simply repeating that the song is called 'Dinah.'


Snag it
Urging the listener to remember the name of the song.


Ah, tell it
Encouraging the listener to spread the word about the song.


Wander to China
Repeating the hypothetical scenario of Dinah leaving for China.


The state of Carolina
Reminding the listener that they are specifically talking about the state of Carolina.


Listen, and you know her
Addressing the listener directly and challenging them to think about a woman they know who is better-looking than Dinah.


I would like to have you show her to me
Reiterating the request to see the better-looking woman if they exist, and expressing a desire to compare her to Dinah.




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Trombonology

Here was a meeting of five great and original vocalists, who were bound for artistic immortality. It's so apparent that Bing loved hot material and singing in company with the Mills Bros.

@RoryVanucchi

Great clip of Bing and Mills on one of his specials not long before he passed performing this and it's a favorite 45 years later to see them

@RoryVanucchi

One of Bing's best imo. Watch them together 45 years later on his TV special about a year before he passed. Bing, Louis Armstrong, and The Mills Brothers fit like a glove when they performed together. Of course Louis Armstrong and Fats Waller nailed this as well.

@cynthiapickett7403

Monster hit of 1932.

@rubygracemoseley8144

I haven’t heard this song in such a long time!! It was on my dad’s Bing Crosby cd. We used to listen so much along with many other oldies cds. But man…This is one of the first songs I’ve ever heard…I can’t believe how old it is. It didn’t sound this old when I remembering hearing it as a kid 😂

@iamjuliaboyle

Bing Crosby used to slay the ladies with these hits yo

@kartikeyajuneja4925

This is one of Bing Crosby's best

@rubygracemoseley8144

“Cause my DYNAMITE change her mind about me”. That’s what it sounds like he’s saying 😂😂

@cynthiapickett7403

Exactly!

@spol

Crazy!!!!

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