Released: November 1, 1933

Songwriter: Louis Armstrong

Producer: Louis Armstrong

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!

Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong, known throughout his lengthy career by nicknames like “Satchmo”, “Pops” and simply “Louie”, was a trumpeter, composer, singer and occasional actor, as well as one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz.

Born and raised in New Orleans, where jazz itself is alleged to have began, Armstrong started his career in 1918, playing the cornet in brass bands and riverboats along the Mississippi River. There, he caught the attention of his future mentor, King Oliver, joining his band in Chicago, where he networked with other popular jazz musicians like Hoagy Carmichael and his first wife Lil Hardin Armstrong.

In 1924, Louie relocated to New York City playing for the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra. It was at this time he switched over from cornet to trumpet in order to blend in better with the other musicians in his section. It was also when he developed his emotional playing style, which included singing and telling tales of his life back in New Orleans.