"What a Diff'rence a Day Made", also recorded as "What a Diff'rence a Day Makes", is a popularsong originally written in Spanish by María Grever, a Mexican songwriter, in 1934 with the title "Cuando vuelva a tu lado". The song is also known in English as “What a Diff'rence a Day Makes”, as popularized by Dinah Washington.
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, although it was first recorded in English by Cleveland crooner Jimmie Ague.
Dinah Washington version
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.
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. 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.
Charts
Other versions
Andy Russell, a Mexican-American singer, recorded a bilingual version of the song in 1944, which reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Alfredo Antonini and his orchestra collaborated with Victoria Cordova and John Serry Sr. to record the song for Muzak in 1949.
Vaughn Monroe's 1955 version reached number 60 in the US Music Vendor survey.
Bobby Darin's version of the song is on his album Winners, released in 1964, although he recorded it in 1960.
Dean Martin covered it in his album Dino Latino in 1962.
Little Anthony and the Imperials on their album Goin' Out Of My Head.
Ben E. King covered the song on his album Ben E. King Sings for Soulful Lovers in 1962.
Lonnie Johnson covered the song on his album Losing Game.
Australian group The Black Sorrows released a version as their debut single in 1984. It was included on their debut studio album, Sonola.
It was recorded by Diana Ross in 1972, but not released until thirty-four years later when her Blue album was discovered in the Motown vaults and released in 2006.
Natalie Cole recorded the song on her 1996 album Stardust, and later in 2013 a bilingual Spanish/English version was included as an iTunes bonus track of her album Natalie Cole en Español.
Barry Manilow recorded the song on his 2006 album The Greatest Songs of the Fifties.
In 2007 R&B/Dance singer Deborah Cox recorded the song for her album Destination Moon. Also in 2007, former Kiss drummer, Peter Criss, covered the song on his album One for All.
China Moses covered the song with Raphael Lemonnier in 2009 in their album This One's for Dinah in 2009.
Deana Martin recorded “What a Difference a Day Made” on her 2009 album Volare.
Julie Dawn and Roy Marsh and His Swingtette released a version of the track paired with "I am Going to Love That Guy". The exact release date unknown at the moment.
