"What a Diff'rence a Day Made", also recorded as "What a Difference a Day Makes", is a popular song originally written in Spanish by María Grever, a Mexican songwriter, in 1934 with the title "Cuando vuelva a tu lado" ("When I Return to Your Side") and first recorded by Orquesta Pedro Vía that same year. A popular version in Spanish was later recorded by trio Los Panchos with Eydie Gormé in 1964.[3]
"What a Diff'rence a Day Makes" | ||||
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Single by Dinah Washington | ||||
from the album What a Diff'rence a Day Makes! | ||||
B-side | "Come On Home" | |||
Released | 1959 | |||
Recorded | 1959 | |||
Genre | Pop, vocal jazz | |||
Length | 2:31 | |||
Label | Mercury Records | |||
Songwriter(s) | María Grever, Stanley Adams (English lyrics)[1] | |||
Dinah Washington singles chronology | ||||
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"What a Diff'rence a Day Makes" | |
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Single by Esther Phillips | |
B-side | "Come On Home" |
Released | July 1975 |
Recorded | 1975 |
Genre | R&B |
Length | 3:12 |
Label | Kudu |
Songwriter(s) | María Grever, Stanley Adams (English lyrics)[2] |
The song is also known in English as "What a Diff'rence a Day Makes", as popularized by Dinah Washington in 1959.[4]
The English lyrics were written by Stanley Adams, and was played by Harry Roy & his Orchestra. It was published in late 1934. The most successful early recording, in 1934, was by the Dorsey Brothers, although it was first recorded in English by Cleveland crooner Jimmy Ague.[5]
Dinah Washington won a Grammy Award in 1959 for Best Rhythm and Blues Performance with this song. Her version was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.[6] It also earned her first top ten pop hit, reaching number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.[7]
Chart (1959) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Billboard Hot 100 | 8 |
US Billboard Hot R&B Sides | 1 |
In 1975, Esther Phillips recorded her version of the song. Her comeback record had a disco feel to it. The Esther Phillips version reached number two on the disco charts.[8] Her version also did well on the US soul and Top 40 charts. Phillips performed the song on Saturday Night Live, during its first season.
Chart (1975) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (Kent Music Report)[9] | 38 |
France (SNEP)[10] | 2 |
US Hot 100 | 20 |
US Billboard Hot Soul Singles | 10 |
U.S. Billboard Dance Club Songs | 2 |
U.S. Billboard Easy Listening Chart | 33 |