What a Diff'rence a Day Makes

Album: What A Difference A Day Makes (1959)
Charted: 8
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was written in 1934 by Maria Grever, who was the first successful female Mexican songwriter. She wrote it as "Cuando Vuelva A Tu Lado," which translates to "When It returns To Your Side," but for English consumption the lyricist Stanley Adams rewrote it as "What a Diff'rence a Day Made." The Dorsey Brothers Orchestra recorded it with the English lyrics in 1934, and their version was a #5 hit. Many artists have recorded it since, but Washington's version has become the most popular. It was her first hit and also the first hit for the songwriter Grever.
  • Other artists to record this include Chet Baker, Ray Conniff, Sarah Vaughan, Bobby Darin, and Deborah Cox. In 1975, a dance version by Esther Phillips hit #20 in the US. Weird fact: Phillips was born Esther Mae Jones, Dinah Washington was born Ruth Lee Jones.
  • Washington won a Grammy for Best Rhythm & Blues Performance for her version.

Comments: 3

  • Victor from CanadaCant you all read? This song was composed (music and lyrics) by Maria Grever and the song is originally a spanish language song, ¨Cuando vuelva a tu lado” (When I return tu you” approx)
  • AnonymousIs it a public domain song?
  • Traxus from Jomtien, ThailandDinah Washington and a song equals
    the perfect combination of Artist and music with lyrics.
    Nobody does better than Dinah.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

Director Wes Edwards ("Drunk on a Plane")

Director Wes Edwards ("Drunk on a Plane")Song Writing

Wes Edwards takes us behind the scenes of videos he shot for Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley and Chase Bryant. The train was real - the airplane was not.

Metallica

MetallicaFact or Fiction

Beef with Bon Jovi? An unfortunate Spandex period? See if you can spot the true stories in this Metallica version of Fact or Fiction.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."