What a Diff'rence a Day Makes

"What a Diff'rence a Day Makes"
Single by Dinah Washington
from the album What a Diff'rence a Day Makes!
B-side"Come On Home"
Released1959
Recorded1959
GenrePop, vocal jazz
Length2:31
LabelMercury
SongwritersMaría Grever, Stanley Adams (English lyrics)
Dinah Washington singles chronology
"Make Me a Present of You"
(1958)		 "What a Diff'rence a Day Makes"
(1959)		 "Unforgettable"
(1959)

"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.

The song is also known in English as "What a Diff'rence a Day Makes", as popularized by Dinah Washington in 1959.

English adaptation

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, with vocals by Bob Crosby, although it was first recorded by Cleveland crooner Jimmy Ague.

Dinah Washington version

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. It also earned her first top ten pop hit, reaching number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Charts

Chart (1959) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100 8
US Billboard Hot R&B Sides 4

Esther Phillips version

"What a Diff'rence a Day Makes"
Single by Esther Phillips
B-side"Come On Home"
ReleasedJuly 1975
Recorded1975
GenreDisco • R&B • Soul
Length3:12
LabelKudu
SongwritersMaría Grever, Stanley Adams (English lyrics)

In 1975, Esther Phillips recorded a disco version of the song. The Esther Phillips version became a big hit, reaching number twenty on the US Hot 100 and number 6 in the UK. It also reached number two on the disco charts. Her version also did well on the US soul chart, reaching the top ten. Phillips performed the song on the television comedy variety program Saturday Night Live during its first season.

Charts

Chart (1975) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) 38
US Billboard Hot 100 20
US Billboard Hot Soul Singles 10
U.S. Billboard Dance Club Songs 2
U.S. Billboard Easy Listening 33
UK Singles Chart 6

Notable cover versions

References

  1. ↑ Ascap entry for song ASCAP, accessed January 9, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Cuando vuelva a tu lado by Eydie Gormé & The Trio Los Panchos (1964)". Secondhandsongs.
  3. ↑ Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 17 - The Soul Reformation: More on the evolution of rhythm and blues. [Part 3]" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries.
  4. ↑ "What a Difference a Day Makes", Songs With Earlier Histories, August 5, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Grammy Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on 2011-02-19. Retrieved 2011-04-25.
  6. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 611.
  7. ↑ Ascap entry for song ASCAP, accessed January 9, 2011.
  8. 1 2 Whitburn, Joel (2002). Joel Whitburn's top pop singles 1955-2002. Menomonee Falls, Wisc.: Record Research. p. 546. ISBN 0898201551.
  9. 1 2 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records. p. 425. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  10. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003. Record Research. p. 202.
  11. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 233. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  12. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (1996). Joel Whitburn's top R & B singles, 1942-1995. Menomonee Falls, Wisc.: Record Research. p. 372. ISBN 0898201152. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
  13. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2007). Joel Whitburn presents Billboard top adult songs, 1961-2006. Menomonee Falls, Wis. : Record Research Inc. p. 217. ISBN 978-0-89820-169-7.
  14. ↑ "What a Difference a Day Made". BobbyDarin.com. Retrieved 2014-09-09.
  15. ↑ Contreras, Russell (2025-10-05). "Mexican-born jazz singer gives new life to "La Llorona"". Axios. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  16. ↑ Feibel, Adam (2022-11-21). "Vocalist Lucía Gutiérrez Rebolloso wins 2022 SASSY Award". JAZZ.FM91. Retrieved 2025-12-24.