Dream A Little Dream Of Me by Various

Album: various (1931)

Charted: 11 12

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Songfacts®:

This song was written in 1931 and became a popular standard in depression-era America. Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt composed the music and Gus Kahn wrote the lyrics. It was recorded by a variety of singers, including Nat King Cole, Michael Bublé, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. Three versions of the song have charted: Mama Cass reached #11 UK and #12 US in 1968 with her rendition, Anita Harris made #33 that same year in the UK, and the Glee Cast took it to #102 US in 2010. >>
Suggestion credit:
Edna - Madrid, Spain
When she was 15, Michelle Phillips of The Mamas & The Papas met Fabian Andre, who wrote the music for the song. Years later, when Phillips heard that Andre died in a fall in an elevator shaft, she remembered meeting him and this song came up. They decided to record it with "Mama" Cass Elliot on lead vocals, and it became her signature song, and she performed it with The Mamas & The Papas and as a solo artist until her death in 1974.
Gus Kahn was a very successful lyricist in the '20s and '30s, writing hits like "Makin' Whoopie," "Ain't We Got Fun" and "It Had To Be You." In an NPR interview, Gus Kahn's son Donald, who is also a composer, said: "He always tried to keep his lyrics simple. He also said that young men and women don't know how to say "I Love You" to each other, so we say it for them in 32 bars."
Beautiful South recorded this for the movie French Kiss.
Robbie Williams covered this for his Swings Both Ways album with the title of "Dream A Little Dream." Williams duetted with Lily Allen on the LP version of the track, but dropped the singer for a re-recorded single release.

Comments: 15

Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn May 1, 1931, Kate Smith celebrated her 24th birthday and it was also the day she began her radio career, she hosted a twice-weekly show titled 'Kate Smith Sings' on the NBC-Radio network...
Also in 1931 she recorded"Dream A Little Of Me", it would become known as her signature song...
And a little over thirty-seven years later on June 30th, 1968 'Mama' Cass Elliot's covered version of the song entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #94.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn October 8th 1968, Cass Elliot, as a solo artist, debut at the Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada...
A little over three weeks earlier on September 14th her debut charted record, "Dream A Little Dream of Me", was at #35 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart, and that was also its last day on the chart...
(See next post below).
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn June 30th 1968, "Dream A Little Dream of Me" by Mama Cass entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #94; and on August 11th, 1968 1t peaked at #12 (for 2 weeks) and spent 11 weeks on the Top 100...
It reached #2 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart...
And on September 7th, 1968 it peaked at #1 (for 1 week) on the Australian Kent Music Report chart...
Between 1968 and 1970 she had seven Top 100 records, her next biggest hit was "It's Getting Better", it reached #30...
R.I.P. Ms. Elliot, born Ellen Naomi Cohen. 1941 - 1974.
Randy from Fayettevile, Ar"Mama's Big Unz??" Yep, I recall that LP & my girlfriend at the time had it. "Dream A Little Dream" was on it & the whole LP was highlighting Cass's talented vocal skills. We lost quite a star when she died. I remember hearing that her record company titled her hits LP as "Mama's Big Unz," a really gross and unclassy decision at the time & I am sure Cass was unpleased by it. Another big favorite is "I Call Your Name" released under The Mamas & Papas name & written by Lennon-McCartney. Now that song really showcased Cass. Check it out too. I think that's the song where she whispers "John" into the microphone. She was a class act.
Elmer H from Westville, OkI loved this Mama Cass hit during its chart run & I love it now. I recall it got very good radio play. Cass's voice was so dynamic & I loved her star quality. When Cass died, I was sad for the loss of a wonderful light on our earth. I recall when her "greatest hits" album was released with the unclassy title (her record company's idea) of "Mama's BIG UNZ." Some record buyers thought it humorous, but I thought it was just a downright unclassy innuendo of those "generous breasts." Well, after all these decades, I still have wonderful memories of Cass & The Mamas and The Papas whenever their songs are on the oldies radio play. Awesome songs. Awesome talent.
Brad from Topeka, KsThe person that says "She keeps pouring it from one glass into the other and changing the straw." is Cass. You can also hear her clear her throat before she sings...while being introduced.

This became Cass' song. Indeed a timeless song...and no one can perform this song the way she did.

Cass Elliot had a voice that still blows me away...it was so clear and powerful. Damn, that woman could belt it out, and do it beautifully! She also had a great vocal range.

While it is sad that she died so young, I'm comforted to know that long after all of us are gone, there will still be people discovering the beautiful gift Cass left us with.

Cass Elliot, you are still loved and missed.
Esskayess from Dallas, TxEddie, the fellow introducing her says, "And now to sing this lovely ballad, here is Mama Cass." You can hear her clearing her throat as he does it.
Mike from Santa Barbara, CaThis song is timeless.
Lawrence from Erie, PaI love this song and I'm a heavey metalist....visit me at www.eldahs.com
Bill from Philadelphia, Paif you turn up the volume and listen to the right speaker, you can hear someone say "She keeps pouring it from one glass into the other and changing the straw."
Erikka from Buckeye, AzI balled like a baby when I first heard this song. It's so beautiful! And to Eddie, a man says "And now to sing this lovely ballad, here is Mama Cass." If you listen closely, she also clears her throat.
Myra from Chicago, IlVery awesome classic rock song. Was played on my favorite show "Supernatural" on the episode Dream a Little Dream of Me
Mary from Middle Of Nowhere, NdEddie of NJ, It's either John Phillips or Denny Doherty specifically speaking, "And now to sing this lovely ballad, here is Mama Cass."
Eddie from Bayonne, NjDoes anyone know what is said in the beginning? It sounds like it ends with "and now, Mama cass.."
Madalyn from Greensburg, Pafirst comment whoo!!! great song if i had a little fairy come down to grant me three wishes...one would definatly be to have the same voice as mama cass

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