Dinah Washington.

What a diff'rence a day made

Twenty-four little hours

Brought the sun and the flowers

Where there used to be rain

My yesterday was blue, dear

Today I'm part of you, dear

My lonely nights are through, dear

(Since you said you were mine)

What a diff'rence a day makes

There's a rainbow before me

Skies above can't be stormy

Since that moment of bliss, that thrilling kiss

(It's heaven when you find romance on your menu)

What a diff'rence a day made

And the difference is you

~ What A Diff'rence A Day Make.

WKW's Chungking Express (重慶森林-1994) introduced me to the late Dinah Washington (August 29, 1924 – December 14, 1963). Also known as the "Queen of the Blues", Washington was famous for her rendition of "torch songs", i.e. songs about unrequited love. She died young at the age of 39, although by around that time, she had become one of the most influential singers of that period, and was credited to be one of the major influence on another queen, Aretha Franklin. "What a Difference a Day Made" was originally written in Spanish by Mexican composer María Méndez Grever in 1934, and originally known as Cuando Vuelva A Tu Lado. Stanley Adams wrote the English version and was made famous by Harry Roy & his Orchestra, in Bolero style. However, it was Washington's version which is the signature version and won her a Grammy in 1959 for Best R&B Performance, as well as her first Top Ten hit.