Ella Mae Morse was born in Mansfield, Texas, United States. She was hired by Jimmy Dorsey when she was 14 years old. Dorsey believed she was 19, and when he was informed by the school board that he was now responsible for her care, he fired her. In 1942, at the age of 17, she joined Freddie Slack's band, with whom in the same year she recorded "Cow Cow Boogie", Capitol Records' first gold single. "Mr. Five by Five" was also recorded by Morse with Slack, and they had a hit recording with the song in 1942 (Capitol 115). She also originated the wartime hit "Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet", which was later popularized by Nancy Walker in the film, Broadway Rhythm.
In 1943, Morse began to record solo. She reached #1 in the R&B chart with "Shoo-Shoo Baby" in December for two weeks. In the same year she performed "Cow Cow Boogie" in the film Reveille with Beverly and starred in Universal's South of Dixie and The Ghost Catchers with Olsen and Johnson and How Do You Dooo? with radio's Mad Russian, Bert Gordon. She sang in a wide variety of styles, and she had hits on both the U.S. pop and rhythm and blues charts. However, she never received the popularity of a major star because her versatility prevented her from being placed into any one category of music.
The song "Love Me or Leave Me" as recorded by Morse was released by Capitol Records as catalog number 1922, with the flip side "Blacksmith Blues," which became her biggest hit.
In 1946, "House of Blue Lights" by Freddie Slack and Morse, (written by Slack and Raye) saw them perform what was one of many of Raye's songs picked up by black R&B artists. Her biggest solo success was "Blacksmith Blues" in 1952, which sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. The same year her version of "Down the Road a Piece" appeared on Capitol with Slack again on piano accompaniment. Morse also recorded a version of "Oakie Boogie" for Capitol which reached #23 in 1952. Her version was one of the first songs arranged by Nelson Riddle.
Morse ceased recording in 1957, but continued performing until the early 1990s at such clubs as Michael's Pub in New York, Ye Little Club in Beverly Hills, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel's Cinegrill and the Vine St. Bar and Grill. She appeared regularly at Disneyland for several years with the Ray McKinley Orchestra, and did a successful tour of Australia shortly before her final illness.
Her music career was profiled in Nick Tosches' 1984 book, The Unsung Heroes of Rock 'N' Roll: The Birth of Rock in the Wild Years Before Elvis. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1724 Vine Street. Her entire recorded body of work was issued in a deluxe box set by Bear Family Records.
As Morse's musical style blended jazz, blues, and country, she has sometimes been called the first rock 'n' roll singer. A good example is her 1942 recording of the song "Get On Board, Little Chillun", which, with strong gospel, blues, boogie, and jive sounds as a genuine precursor to the later rockabilly/ rock 'n roll songs. Her records sold well to both Caucasian and African-American audiences. As she was not well known at the time of her first solo hits, many people assumed she was African-American because of her 'hip' vocal style and choice of material.
Morse had six children from two marriages, as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and an estranged sister named Flo Handy, who was also a singer.
In 1999 Morse died of respiratory failure in Bullhead City, Arizona, aged 75.
Dream A Little Dream Of Me
Ella Mae Morse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
The song "Dream A Little Dream Of Me" by Ella Mae Morse is a lovely ballad about the desire to be with someone you love. The song opens with the singer inviting the listener to dream of them, under the starry night sky where the night breeze whispers "I love you" and the birds sing sweetly in the sycamore tree. The lyrics suggest a yearning for the listener's affections, "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."
The chorus reassures the listener that they can drift off to sleep and have sweet dreams, without worries, while feeling loved and cherished. The last verse emphasizes the singer's longing to be with the listener until dawn, and the desire for them to dream of being together. The repetition of the phrase "Dream a little dream of me" is a poetic way of expressing the singer's hopefulness that the listener will dream about them and their love.
Overall, the song is a soothing lullaby about the power of dreams and the feeling of being loved. It's a classic love song that has been covered by countless artists thanks to its timeless and romantic lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Stars shining bright above you
The stars are lit up and beautiful in the sky, hovering over your head
Night breezes seem to whisper "I love you"
As the wind blows at night, it carries whispers to you, saying "I love you"
Birds singing in the sycamore tree
There are birds chirping their lovely songs in the sycamore tree
Dream a little dream of me
Close your eyes and sleep, and dream a beautiful dream with me in it
Say "Night-ie night" and kiss me
Say goodnight and give me a kiss
Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me
Wrap your arms tightly around me and let me know that you will miss me
While I'm alone and blue as can be
I am feeling lonely and sad, it hurts so much inside
Dream a little dream of me
Sleep and dream a beautiful dream with me in it
Stars fading, but I linger on, dear
Although the stars are slowly disappearing, I cannot bring myself to leave you, my dear
Still craving your kiss
I am longing to feel your lips on mine
I'm longing to linger till dawn, dear
I wish to stay with you until the sun rises, my love
Just saying this
I am telling you this honestly and lovingly
Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you
Have wonderful and peaceful dreams until the morning sunlight finds you
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you
Dream beautiful dreams that will wash away all your worries and fears
But in your dreams whatever they be
Whatever kind of dreams you may have, think of me
Dream a little dream of me
Close your eyes and sleep, and dream a beautiful dream with me in it
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Fabian Andre, Gus Kahn, Wilbur Schwandt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind