Steyn's Song Of The Week: Dream a Little Dream of Me
Excellent column this week by the always witty Mark Steyn. This week is the 75th anniversary of “Dream a Little Dream of Me” being on the hit parade. ” The tune was written by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt — this was the only hit that they ever had. The record was by the midwest’s “waltz king”, Wayne King, and his orchestra, with vocals by Ernie Burchill.”
This has always been one of my favorite songs, and I still get chills every time I hear Mama Cass singing it. Here’s a teaser of how the Mamas and the Papas came to record the song:
And perhaps it never would have been had not Fabian Andre, in Mexico City in 1950, chanced to befriend the Gilliam family and their six-year old girl, Michelle. “Fabian was just a fabulous rake,” she said years later, recalling him as a bleary drinker plunking out songs at the piano.
Michelle grew up, married John Phillips, and found herself as one of the distaff side of the Mamas and Papas. And one day in 1968, rehearsing with John and Denny Doherty and Cass Elliott, Michelle Phillips got word that her childhood pal Fabian Andre had died after falling down an elevator shaft in Mexico. She was shocked and, as she talked about her friend with the rest of the group, they started noodling out his old song among themselves.
There’s one camp touch on the record – the spoken intro by John Phillips: “And now to sing this lovely song, here’s Mama Cass” – the sort of thing the announcer might have said over the Wayne King orchestra at a remote broadcast from a palm court or roof terrace back in 1931. But, other than that, it’s very real and very intimate. It became a standard for the post-standard era.
And now, dedicated to the memory of the great Mama Cass:
Night breezes seem to whisper “I love you”
Birds singing in the sycamore tree
Dream a little dream of me
Say “Night-ie 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
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Comments
One of my favorite songs
Posted by: sig94 | April 24, 2006 08:49 PM
I miss Mama Cass. Actually, I miss the Mamas and the Papas period. Cass' voice was fantastic, however, and I was saddened at her death at such a young age. I think of her and of Karen Carpenter a lot, when I hear their songs. They were two of my favorite female singers.
Posted by: WI Catholic | April 26, 2006 12:08 AM