With his partner and wife, Cynthia Weil, they operate a publishing company called Dyad Music. His first hit as a writer was "She Say (Oom Dooby Doom)," which was a top twenty song for The Diamonds in 1959. Mann had co-written the song with Gerry Goffin. Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil met when they were both staff songwriters, they were married in 1961. Through the late 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, Mann came up with songs such as "Sometimes When We Touch" and movie scores such as that for I Never Sang for My Father. Weil co-wrote "He's So Shy" with Tom Snow for The Pointer Sisters and worked on projects with Lionel Richie.
In 1961, they wrote and Mann sang a novelty song that made the Top 10 with "Who Put The Bomp", which parodied the nonsense words of the then-recently popular doo wop songs.
In 1987, he was inducted with his wife into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
A Beggar With A Dream
Barry Mann Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just a slave to you
And though i know it's wrong
What else can i do?
If you′re as cold and cruel
And heartless as you seem
All i'll ever be to you
Is a beggar with a dream
They give you expensive things
Things i couldn't buy
You′ll never know, my love
How much to me you mean
All i′ll ever be to you
Is a beggar with a dream
What must i worship you from afar?
Just like some untouchable star
Oh, darling
I never knew fate was so unkind
Why must i love a girl?
One who can't be mine
I′d give my life for you
I'd go to that extreme
But all i′ll ever be to you
Is a beggar with a dream
Yes, all i'll ever be to you
Is a beggar with a dream
This song, A Beggar With A Dream by Barry Mann, is about a man who is hopelessly in love with a woman who doesn't feel the same way. The first verse speaks to the fact that he feels like he is a slave to her because he cannot control or help his feelings for her. Even though he knows that his affection for her is wrong, he cannot help but feel it. The chorus of the song is about how he feels like he is just a beggar with a dream when it comes to his chances with her. He loves her deeply, but he knows that she is cold and heartless to him.
The second verse speaks to his jealousy when he sees her with older, wealthier men. He explains that he could never buy her the expensive gifts that they do. He wishes that she could see how much he cares for her, but he knows that all he will ever be to her is a beggar with a dream. The bridge of the song is about his frustration with the situation. He is unable to do anything but worship her from afar, just like she is an untouchable star. He never knew that fate could be so unkind because he is in love with a girl who cannot be his. The final repetition of the chorus reaffirms his position as a beggar with a dream, despite his willingness to do anything for her.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm just a slave
I am completely under your control and have no power over my actions.
Just a slave to you
My actions and decisions revolve solely around your wants and needs.
And though I know it's wrong
Despite my understanding that my devotion is misguided or unhealthy.
What else can I do?
I feel like I have no other options or choices in regards to my affection for you.
If you're as cold and cruel
Considering your lack of empathy and harshness
And heartless as you seem
Your lack of compassion and care towards me is evident
All I'll ever be to you
My true worth in your eyes
Is a beggar with a dream
Is nothing but someone who longs for something unattainable and unreachable.
You always date older boys than I
You have a tendency to seek affection and attention from people far more experienced than me
They give you expensive things
They shower you with lavish gifts and material possessions
Things I couldn't buy
I am unable to provide you with the same level of luxury
You'll never know, my love
You will never fully understand or appreciate
How much to me you mean
The immense depth and importance that you hold in my heart and mind
What must I worship you from afar?
Do I have to continue to admire and love you from a distance?
Just like some untouchable star
Like you are something unattainable, out of reach, and beyond my grasp
Oh, darling
An expression of affection or endearment
I never knew fate was so unkind
I didn't expect my life to be this unfair and difficult
Why must I love a girl?
Questioning the reason and logic behind his affections
One who can't be mine
For someone who will never reciprocate his feelings
I'd give my life for you
I am willing to do anything and everything for you
I'd go to that extreme
To the point of self-sacrifice and great lengths
But all I'll ever be to you
Despite my sincerity and devotion
Is a beggar with a dream
I will always be regarded as a naive and foolish dreamer who cannot attain his desires.
Yes, all I'll ever be to you
Acknowledgement of his worthlessness in her eyes.
Is a beggar with a dream
His aspirations and desires will never be realized.
Writer(s): Mann Barry, Sherman Joe
Contributed by Hailey H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@JulieJulieTheRockChickhermiz
Complete GENIUS of a songwriter along with his wife Cynthia Weil. His voice is MAGICAL and the up tempo of this song is amazing 💯👌❤️
@ulifc
Wow! No conocía esta canción. Es, sencillamente, preciosa. No solo la melodía, sino también la letra. Incluso el título: Un mendigo con un sueño. It sounds great even in Spanish. Lol.
@Fargosportsmassage
You did it again Barry as always... marvelous
@massagetherapyforinjuriesf8197
What a Gem!! Barry Man!!!!!!! For ever!!!!!
@lucymacbride8287
Absolutely brilliant as always.
@lucymacbride8287
Hi. How are you. Lucy.xx
@massagetherapyforinjuriesf8197
one hit after another.. Barry mann!!!!!!
@waltergeldof4360
Beautiful, Beautiful and Beautiful song !!!
@robdeone6460
My granddaughter who's 12 loves all of Barry Mann records then again its all she hears in the car
@EPJamesMacAdams
Good one