Dinah
Ethel Waters
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Carolina Gave me Dinah; I'm the proudest one Beneath the Dixie sun. News is spreadin' 'Bout our weddin'; I hear church bells ringin', Here's the song my heart keeps singin': Dinah, Is there anyone finer In the state of Carolina? If there is and you know her, Show her! Dinah, With her Dixie eyes blazin', How I love to sit and gaze in To the eyes of Dinah Lee! Yet, every night, My, how I shake with fright, Because my Dinah might, Change her mind about me! But if Dinah, Ever wandered 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, Show her! Dinah, With her Dixie eyes blazin', How I love to sit and gaze in To the eyes of Dinah Lee! Yet, every night, My, how I shake with fright, Because my Dinah might, Change her mind about me! But if Dinah, Ever wandered to China, I would hop an ocean!, Just to be with Dinah Lee!
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Written by: Harry Akst, Samuel M. Lewis, Joseph Young
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Origin"Dinah" is a 1925 hit song from the show "No, No, Nanette," surprisingly, Ethel Waters, Fletcher Henderson, and The Revelers were not the original performers. The song became popular in their repertoires later.
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Ethel Waters' PerformanceEthel Waters, a significant jazz vocalist and actress, was one of the first African American women to be embraced by mainstream white audiences in the 1920s and '30s. Her performance of "Dinah" is considered a classic example of early jazz vocals.
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Fletcher Henderson's ContributionFletcher Henderson, a pivotal jazz pianist and bandleader, not only performed the song, but also arranged it. He is known for standardizing the jazz orchestra and making it a staple in the Swing era. His rendition of"Dinah" showcases his skillful and innovative arrangements that influenced many following jazz artists.
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The Revelers' VersionKnown for their harmonious a cappella singing, The Revelers made "Dinah" a popular song in the 1920s. Their version is considered quintessential Roaring Twenties music.
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Popularity"Dinah" was not just popular in America; the song also had significant international success. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy refrain made it an international jazz standard among both musicians and listeners.
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Impact on Music IndustryThe song "Dinah" has been covered by numerous artists throughout the years, evidencing its lasting impact in the music industry. Performers such as Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, and The Mills Brothers contributed in making the song a pop standard.
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Film AppearanceThe song "Dinah" appeared in the 1955 drama film "The Man with the Golden Arm." Ethel Waters' version was used in the soundtrack, heightening the drama and tension of the film's narrative.
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Musical Style LegacyThe song "Dinah," through the performances of Waters, Henderson, and The Revelers, contributed to the development and popularization of the jazz and swing genres, leaving a significant legacy in the global music scene.
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Symbol of Musical IntegrationThe universal appeal and broad variety of artists who covered "Dinah" make the song a symbol of musical integration. From jazz to pop, the song unified different music genres and audiences, making it a cultural phenomenon.
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Cultural SignificanceBeyond its musical impact, "Dinah" also holds cultural significance as it highlighted the contributions of Black artists like Ethel Waters and Fletcher Henderson to the mainstream music industry, demonstrating the importance and influence of Black music in the evolution of jazz and American popular music.
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"Dinah Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 15 Jan. 2025. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1135087/Ethel+Waters/Dinah>.
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