Cristy Lane is best remembered for her 1979 single "One Day at a Time," a g… Read Full Bio ↴Cristy Lane is best remembered for her 1979 single "One Day at a Time," a gospel song that blended Protestant fervor with the language of self-help in a seamless, heartfelt whole. She is also noteworthy as one of the builders of the Branson, MO, live-entertainment phenomenon. Lane was born Eleanor Johnston to a family of 12 in Peoria, IL. Married before she was 20, she had three children by 1964. Her husband, Lee Stoller, a salesman, encouraged her to sing professionally, but she was painfully shy. After some tentative attempts, she landed several nightclub appearances and then a guest slot on Chicago's WLS Barn Dance radio program in 1968. She took her stage name from that of a Peoria DJ, Chris Lane.Several early attempts to break into country music in Nashville came to nothing, and Lane struggled with the pressures of the performing career her husband was urging upon her. She attempted to commit suicide twice in the late '60s, once after a difficult 1969 tour of Vietnam, organized by Stoller during which Lane performed 120 shows and was involved in a helicopter crash that left her stranded in the midst of a battle. Lane and Stoller returned to Peoria and opened a pair of nightclubs that featured Lane as the marquee attraction. In 1972, the Stoller family moved to a Nashville suburb and continued its attempts to get Lane's career off the ground. The reaction from established label executives ranged from indifference to sexual come-ons for Lane, and finally Stoller formed his own label, LS, in the mid-'70s. He was tireless in promoting Lane's career, and his efforts were rewarded when the label's debut single, "Tryin' to Forget About You," and its follow-up, "Sweet Deceiver," made the charts in 1977. That year she also made it to the Top Ten and the Top 20 with "Let Me Down Easy" and "Shake Me, I Rattle," respectively. Lane scored three more hits the following year and in 1979 was named New Vocalist of the Year by the Academy of Country Music. During the awards ceremony Lane sang "I Just Can't Stay Married to You," which later became a Top Five hit. In late 1979, Lane was signed to United Artists Records and had three more hits. But the label balked at releasing the song Lane and Stoller had planned for their next single, "One Day at a Time."That song was a several-years-old entry from Kris Kristofferson's catalog of compositions; co-written with Nashville veteran Marijohn Wilkin, it was of a piece with other religious songs (such as "Why Me, Lord?") the hard-living Kristofferson had written in soberer moments. Shortly before Lane's version appeared, the song had topped British charts in a version by vocalist Lena Martell. For country radio in 1980, it was an unorthodox song, but Lane and Stoller correctly estimated its powerful impact. After it hit number one on the country charts, Lane released "Sweet Sexy Eyes," her final Top Ten hit. Her career hit the skids temporarily when Stoller was imprisoned on racketeering charges in 1982, but the couple bounced back after Stoller observed the spectacular success yodeler-crooner Slim Whitman had experienced after beginning direct television marketing of his music. By 1986 Lane and Stoller had put together a strong pair of linked materials: a One Day at a Time album and a Lane autobiography of the same name. Marketed through television advertising and later on the World Wide Web, these items sold well for years and kept Lane's name before a demographic just waiting to be tapped: that of country fans in late middle age. As Branson began to emerge as a major entertainment destination in the late '80s and early '90s, Lane and Stoller jumped on the bandwagon. Their Cristy Lane Theatre became a major Branson attraction, hosting not only Lane's own performances but also early appearances by Branson stars-to-be such as Yakov Smirnoff (in 1992). Lane sold her Branson theater in the mid-'90s but remained active as a performer. She has recorded several albums of gospel and sentimental standards for marketing through her website and elsewhere. Plans were laid in the early 2000s for a film depicting Lane's life story.

I Have A Dream
Cristy Lane Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I have a dream, a song to sing
To help me cope with anything
If you see the wonder of a fairy tale
You can take the future even if you fail
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me

I'll cross the stream, I have a dream

I have a dream, a fantasy
To help me through reality
And my destination makes it worth the while
Pushing through the darkness still another mile
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I'll cross the stream, I have a dream
I'll cross the stream, I have a dream

I have a dream, a song to sing
To help me cope with anything
If you see the wonder of a fairy tale
You can take the future even if you fail
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me

I'll cross the stream, I have a dream
I'll cross the stream, I have a dream

Overall Meaning

Cristy Lane's song "I Have A Dream" exudes a message of hope and resilience. The lyrics comprise a hopeful outlook and encourage individuals to persevere despite any obstacle. The recurring line "I have a dream" is reminiscent of Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic speech, which was equally uplifted by hope and idealistic visions for a better future. The songwriters cleverly embedded a double meaning to the words "I have a dream," as the phrase, while on the surface, refers to having hope and aspirations, it also refers to having a plan of action.

The song's opening stanza conveys the importance of music as a coping mechanism. The singer believes that music can help her deal with anything, illustrating how the tune can act as a magic bullet for anyone facing adversity. The second stanza emphasizes the importance of accepting reality, and the use of "fantasy" to help one through it. The lyricist may be alluding to the power of imagination as a tool to aid in facing harsh realities. The final verse provides a particularly powerful message, with the idea that failure can only define us if we let it.

The singer's unwavering belief in angels is a thematic anchor throughout the song, hinting towards the existence of an omnipotent force that is looking over us. The central idea is that if we keep our faith and keep looking, we will eventually encounter the good. When the time is right, we will be able to pursue our dreams, knowing that angels are watching over us.

Line by Line Meaning

I have a dream, a song to sing
I have an aspiration, a melody to hum

To help me cope with anything
To assist me in managing all situations

If you see the wonder of a fairy tale
If you perceive the marvel of a storybook narrative

You can take the future even if you fail
You can seize opportunities, even in defeat

I believe in angels
I have faith in benevolent spirits

Something good in everything I see
I find positivity in all circumstances

I believe in angels
I have faith in benevolent spirits

When I know the time is right for me
When I am confident of the opportune moment

I'll cross the stream, I have a dream
I will overcome obstacles, I have a goal

I have a dream, a fantasy
I have an imaginative vision, a reverie

To help me through reality
To guide me during actuality

And my destination makes it worth the while
And my endpoint renders it meaningful

Pushing through the darkness still another mile
Persisting through challenges despite adversity

I believe in angels
I have faith in benevolent spirits

Something good in everything I see
I find positivity in all circumstances

I believe in angels
I have faith in benevolent spirits

When I know the time is right for me
When I am confident of the opportune moment

I'll cross the stream, I have a dream
I will overcome obstacles, I have a goal

I have a dream, a song to sing
I have an aspiration, a melody to hum

To help me cope with anything
To assist me in managing all situations

If you see the wonder of a fairy tale
If you perceive the marvel of a storybook narrative

You can take the future even if you fail
You can seize opportunities, even in defeat

I believe in angels
I have faith in benevolent spirits

Something good in everything I see
I find positivity in all circumstances

I believe in angels
I have faith in benevolent spirits

When I know the time is right for me
When I am confident of the opportune moment

I'll cross the stream, I have a dream
I will overcome obstacles, I have a goal

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Benny Goran Bror Andersson, Bjoern K. Ulvaeus

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

wilhub

13y↑4

always lovely to hear ANY of ABBA`s catalogue covered, thanks

margie stracener

11y↑5

I love this song. Very beautiful.

Vihaan Abdullah

A tip : watch series at Flixzone. Been using it for watching all kinds of movies lately.

Brycen Titus

@Vihaan Abdullah Yup, have been watching on flixzone} for since december myself :D

Dylan Arthur

12y↑3

One of 2 ABBA songs to reach the country charts that year, along with Johnny Carver's ''S.O.S.''.

Lana Jensen

41w

I can still remember the commercial for classic hits. I didnt know this was ABBA until later in life and i love it.

Ola Joseph

11y↑4

Very refreshing song.

Margaret Rule-Gilmour

This woman is brilliant. I just love listening to her Gospel songs. Where is she now?

Rita Fellin

6y↑5

Amen.🙏✝️🛐🙏.

Jill Miller

One. Of. My. Dear favorites!! Good Song !! We. All Need To Be Encouraged!!

StarlandandMore

5y↑2

She recorded our song on the same album as this "Loving You With My Eyes "..does anyone have a copy?

Charles Otunga

9y↑7

Oh dear! How i wish we could see something good in everything we see !! Humanity!

Rita Fellin

7y↑3

Amen 🙏🏻

Lee Stoller

6y↑2

120 shows in Vietnam to , " Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall of Fame Cristy Lane " !
She is Great, LS
REPLY

nashvillescout

12y↑2

@nikki123loveee I was just reading some of these comments below. It is a shame that some people talk when they don't know what they are talking about. I am so glad you have her album Foot Prints. That song was written for her by my brother.I hope you will continue to listen to her. She has some great music that cqan touch your heart Simple clean music, which is the same kind of life she lives and has all her life.

Adam Taschereau

8y↑2

I do believe in angels my grandmother passed away 29 years ago and I miss a daily I wish I could've been there when she passed but I live in Massachusetts and she lives in Canada but I think to go to the wake and funeral she's always on my right shoulder and I know she's there to protect me to help I so miss him very much and love her God bless her she's with all The other angels 👼🏻👼🏻👼🏻👼🏻👼🏻👼🏻

Linda Taylor

2y↑1

3 CDs of Christy Lane*>Inherited*◇*

Jay Man

10y↑7

God have mercy on his world!

Linda Taylor

By the way Vinyl is BACK

Luv U

4y↑1

Angels

john lazarus

12y↑2

PRAISE GOD beauiful

nashvillescout

12y↑3

@jamesadrian021957 I read this comment about Cristy not being able to sing, and that no one would buy her album to listen to one song.I read the comment on here about her not having the right manager ect. My friend to put it bluntly, you have no idea what you are talking about. Cristy has sold millions of albums, millions , and still sells millions and hasn't sung in a few years now. In several other countries she has sold more albums than any other artits combined. This song is on several album

Linda Taylor

2y↑1

Excuse What! She sang the National Anthem for USA Celebrating 250th Anniversary with President Reagan & First Lady Nancy*◇*

LaVita dawn

13y↑1

For @jamesadrian021957 for knowing so much like Cristy Lane "They released it as a single because Christy Lane can't sing and no one was going to buy an album for one song." You need to go to the Music store and buy one of her CD's I promise they don't play this song over and over 14 times

nikki123loveee

13y↑2

i have her footprints in the sand cd

arlene halsey

12y↑2

i am trying to get this song onto my meida player can some one help me do this?

dragknuckle

13y↑1

@jamesadrian021957 I meant no disrespect to you, but I am a record producer myself. I know how to tell what was the producer's fault, and what was the mix engineer's fault. As much as I try to please the artist, I usually receive my check from the label, so guess who really calls the shots. Some artists will hire a producer themselves with their own money, and in those cases the artist is the boss. It sounds like you've had an interesting life, and I wasn't picking a fight with you.

DC510

11y↑2

I believe in angels lmao

Ray Davis

Daddy510 gh

john lazarus

12y↑2

PRAISE GOD beauifl cirsty

dragknuckle

13y↑1

@jamesadrian021957 The label hired the producer, and made the decision to release this as a single. They didn't have to. There are literally thousands of unreleased tracks sitting in record company vaults. And I hate to disillusion you, but the artist does not have the final say, with the exception of a handful of very powerful artists. The label has the money, so they have the final say.

Lee Stoller

5y↑2

Merry Christmas your gift at CristyLane.com !

Dylan Arthur

12y↑1

Use a site called flv2mp3. It will rip the audio to create an mp3 file.

dragknuckle

13y↑1

@jamesadrian021957 Liberty is owned by Capitol/EMI. Their roster has included artists such as Garth Brooks, Kenny Rogers, and Glen Campbell. The simple fact is that there are no hard and fast rules in the music business. One artist will get to pick their own producer, and others will have it dictated to them. But the label spends the money, so they get the final say. The mix engineer and mastering engineer are almost always chosen by the label, and it is the mix that sucks on this track.