Dream a Little Dream of Me

Dream a Little Dream of Me is a beautiful song. It was written by two musicians Wilbur Schwandt and Fabian Andre. Lyrics fit perfectly to its melody vibes and were created by Gus Kahn. The piece was published in 1930 hence it is no secret who wrote it.

Today both composers are already forgotten. They didn’t create any other big hit. Gus Kahn used to write lyrics to melodies of other composers which is why his name appears more often on the history charts of music.

Dream a Little Dream of Me

First recording was accomplished in 1931 in Victor Records by Wayne King Orchestra. Ernie Birchill was the vocalist. Wayne King started his band in 1927. Earlier he played sax at the great Paul Whiteman’s side. They called him ‘The Waltz King’ because his orchestra specialized themselves in waltzes.

In the same year two other recordings also took place, one by Ozzie Nelson Orchestra and the other one by The Dorsey Brothers. Since then the song is recorded regularly.

Wilbur Schwandt

The piece came to Elli Fitzgerald’s and Louis Armstrong’s likings. Both recorded it multiple times. Among others who sang Dream a Little Dream of Me are: Nat King Cole, Frankie Laine, Doris Day, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin.

_{The Mamas and Papas}

The song however had its biggest success in 1968. A version recorded at the time by The Mamas & The Papas reached over seven millions sold copies all over the world. Later there were also recordings that appeared in Norway, Czech Republic or even Egypt. Orchestras in the ’30-ies played Dream a Little Dream of Me in swing style, preferably at a faster tempo. Mamas & Papas arranged the song for a much slower tempo emphasizing the vocal part. Following vocalists who sang the song used to cultivate the slower style that Mamas & Papas introduced.

Gus Kahn

In 2001 a British band The Beautiful South breathed new life into the song when they published it on their album Solid Bronze. Their performance ‘opened’ this piece for me. I didn’t suspect that it had such a long history. I discovered then that during the interwar era there were many great composers and they used to write marvelous songs.

_{The Beautiful South}

And that way, thanks to 'Dream a Little Dream of Me', I started to recognize music from before 80 years and older. Maybe it’s strange, but lately I very much prefer those oldies than presently marketed ‘hits’.

DREAM A LITTLE DREAM OF ME, lyrics

Stars shining bright above you
Night breezes seem to whisper "I love you"
Birds singin' in the sycamore tree
Dream a little dream of me

Say nighty-night and kiss me
Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me
While I'm alone and blue as can be
Dream a little dream of me

Stars fading but I linger on dear
Still craving your kiss
I'm longing to linger till dawn dear
Just saying this

Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams whatever they be
Dream a little dream of me

Stars fading but I linger on dear
Still craving your kiss
I'm longing to linger till dawn dear
Just saying this

Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you
Sweet dreams that leave all worries far behind you
But in your dreams whatever they be
Dream a little dream of me

_{Dream a Little Dream}