Dinah
Jimmy Rushing · Other Songs - Jimmy Rushing
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!
About Dinah
Jimmy Rushing's "Dinah" stands as a cornerstone of the swing era, serving as a pivotal track in the development of the "Dinah" blues style. Recorded during the height of Rushing's career, the song features his signature vocal approach, characterized by a smooth, soulful delivery that blends jazz improvisation with bluesy emotion. The composition became a standard, widely covered by artists across the genre, cementing its place in the American musical canon. Rushing's interpretation is notable for its rhythmic precision and melodic phrasing, which defined the sound of the 1930s and 40s. While the song is often associated with the broader "Dinah" blues movement, Rushing's version remains a distinct and influential recording that showcased his talent as a vocalist and composer. The track exemplifies the era's fusion of jazz and blues, creating a timeless appeal that continues to resonate with listeners today.