Posted September 2026
There are certain voices that, when you hear them, immediately transport you to another time and place.
Dionne Warwick has one of those voices.
For more than six decades, she's provided the soundtrack for countless moments in our lives. First loves. Broken hearts. Friendships. Good times. Bad times. And everything in between.
Think about the songs.
"Walk On By." "Anyone Who Had a Heart." "I Say a Little Prayer." "Do You Know the Way to San Jose." "Then Came You." "I'll Never Love This Way Again." "Heartbreaker." "That's What Friends Are For."
And that's barely scratching the surface.
So, when I learned that Dionne was preparing to release a new album, I reached out to request an interview.
To my considerable surprise, she said yes.
And just like that, another Boomerocity bucket-list moment became a reality.
One Last Album
Dionne's new album, Duets, is scheduled for release in October 2026.
The project features songs written by legendary songwriter Diane Warren and performances with an impressive collection of artists, including Cynthia Erivo and John Legend.
Her son, Damon Elliott, produced the album.
Dionne told me she's absolutely delighted with the project and considers it the musical gift she wants to leave with the people who have supported her throughout her career.
But when I asked whether she might ever return to the recording studio after this album, her answer caught my attention.
It seems there's one collaboration she's been wanting to make happen for years.
Earth, Wind & Fire.
According to Dionne, conflicting schedules have repeatedly prevented them from recording together. But they've finally had a conversation about making it happen.
And here's something else I learned.
Earth, Wind & Fire happens to be her favorite group.
So, while Duets may be her final album, it appears there's still at least one more musical collaboration she hopes to complete.
When Cynthia Erivo Makes You Forget to Sing
One of my favorite moments in our conversation came when Dionne described recording with Cynthia Erivo.
The two recorded "Ocean in the Desert" for the new album.
Dionne recalled standing across from Cynthia in the studio, listening to her sing.
And listening.
And listening.
She became so absorbed in Cynthia's performance that she forgot it was time for her own entrance!
Imagine that.
Dionne Warwick, one of the most recognizable voices in popular music, getting so caught up in another singer's performance that she forgets to sing.
I love that story.
It says something about the joy of making music, even after you've been doing it for more than 60 years.
When Mom Is the Artist and Son Is the Producer
I couldn't resist asking Dionne about working with her son.
After all, family relationships can be interesting enough without adding the complexities of a recording studio.
So, I asked her who wins when Dionne Warwick and Damon Elliott disagree about something.
Her answer was immediate.
The producer.
Dionne explained that when she enters a recording studio, she respects the person responsible for producing the project. That person has a musical vision, and she takes their suggestions seriously.
She also made it clear that Damon knows exactly what he's doing.
Later, she shared that he has a particularly gentle way of encouraging her to try something different.
Sometimes, she said, he'll simply ask whether Mommy can approach a particular passage another way.
And apparently, that approach works.
The Songs Change as We Change
Another subject I wanted to explore was how the meaning of a love song changes as we grow older.
After all, many of us first heard Dionne singing about love and heartbreak when we were too young to understand much about either.
Dionne told me that was true for her, too.
Early in her career, she was singing about experiences she hadn't necessarily lived through herself.
But as the years passed, those songs acquired new meaning.
Life has a way of doing that, doesn't it?
The words don't change.
We do.
Dionne also spoke about the importance she places on music that communicates love, happiness, inspiration, and joy.
And judging by the audiences who continue singing along with her songs, those messages still resonate.
John Legend's Musical Memories
Dionne also shared a wonderful story about John Legend.
While recording their duet, "Where Is Your Heart," John told her about discovering her music when he was young.
A song he had performed in a talent show helped introduce him to her work, and he subsequently explored more of her recordings.
Now, years later, the two are making music together.
There's something particularly satisfying about that.
The music that inspired one generation becomes the music that connects it to another.
Is This Really Goodbye?
Near the end of our conversation, I asked Dionne about her plans.
As it turns out, she has plenty to keep her occupied.
In addition to promoting the album, she's planning to bring her fragrance back to the market and devote more attention to an interior design business that many people may not know she has.
And what about performing?
Dionne indicated that she doesn't intend to return to the extensive performance schedule she's maintained throughout her career.
But she didn't completely close the door.
She suggested that particularly special opportunities might still be worth considering.
So, is this goodbye?
Perhaps to the kind of touring and recording schedule we've known her for.
But not necessarily to the music.
And for those of us who have spent a lifetime listening to that extraordinary voice, that's a comforting thought.
My thanks to Dionne Warwick for spending time with Boomerocity.
It was a genuine privilege.
Watch our complete conversation on this page.
And, as always, look up, thank God, and keep smiling. It's going to be okay. It really is.
