Dinah (1925) was a hugely popular song of the 1920s and 30s. It was written as a late addition to the Ziegfeld musical ‘Kid Boots’ starring Eddie Cantor. The music was written by Harry Akst and lyrics by Sam M Lewis and Joe Young.
Ethel Waters recorded the song in 1926, charting at number two. By 1936, Cliff Edwards, Bing Crosby, The Boswell Sisters and Fats Waller had all had top ten hits with the song. It has received many instrumental jazz interpretations over the years too, including notable recordings by Benny Goodman and Thelonious Monk.
A teenage singer, Fannye Rose Shore, became so associated with the song at the beginning of her career, that she was nicknamed ‘The Dinah Girl’, and ended up using Dinah Shore as her stage name with some success!
As the song is in the public domain, I am including the lyrics and chords below:
DINAH
Written by Harry Akst, Sam M Lewis and Joe Young in 1925
Dinah
Ab | Ab |
Is there anyone finer
Ab | Ab |
In the state of Carolina?
Eb7 | Eb7 |
If there is and you know her, show her to me
Ab Fm | Bbm7 Eb7 ||
Dinah
Ab | Ab |
Got those Dixie eyes blazin’
Ab | Ab |
How I love to sit and gaze in
Eb7 | Eb7 |
To the eyes of Dinah Lee
Ab Db9 | Ab C7 ||
Every night why do I shake with fright?
Fm | E+ | Ab/Eb | Bb9 Eb7 |
‘Cause my Dinah might change her mind about me
Fm | Bb9 | Eb7 | Eb7 ||
Oh, Dinah
Ab | Ab |
Should you wander to China
Ab | Ab |
I would hop an ocean liner
Eb7 | Eb7 |
Just to be with Dinah Lee
Ab Db9 | Ab ||