Born Joseph Edward Filipelli in Brooklyn, New York, United States, over a long career, he played on many albums, retired to Florida for fifteen years, came back to music, and recorded a CD for Verve Records when he was in his 80s. Phillips performed in a variety of genres, including bebop, mainstream jazz, swing, jump blues and East Coast blues.
In the mid-1940s, Phillips was one of the anchors of the Woody Herman band, prior to going out on his own and prior to joining Jazz at the Philharmonic. He also played with the Woodchoppers, a small spin-off group that Herman led. His deep, strong and articulate playing with a very full sound contrasted him to his successors such as Stan Getz in the subsequent Herman bands.
Phillips recorded extensively for Clef Records, now Verve, in the 1940s and 1950s, including a 1949 album of small-group tracks under his leadership, with Buddy Morrow, Tommy Turk, Kai Winding, Sonny Criss, Ray Brown and Shelly Manne. He accompanied Billie Holiday on her 1952 Billie Holiday Sings album.
Phillips was a frequent player at the Odessa Jazz Party in Odessa, Texas, from 1971 to 1991.
Flip Phillips died in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in August 2001, at the age of 86
Dream A Little Dream Of Me
Flip Phillips Lyrics
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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 lyrics to Flip Phillips's song Dream A Little Dream Of Me speak of love and longing, and the desire to be held close by someone special. The first few verses set the scene with descriptions of a tranquil night sky with the stars shining bright above and the night breeze whispering "I love you". The imagery of birds singing in the sycamore tree paints a serene picture of nature in harmony.
The following verse reflects the vulnerability of the singer as they request the listener to say "Night-ie night" and kiss them. The singer desires to be held tight, told they'll be missed, and to dream of them as they are alone and blue. The lyrics evoke a sense of longing, an unfulfilled desire to be loved and held by someone special.
Despite the passage of time and the fading of the stars, the singer still craves their loved one's kiss, and longs to stay with them until dawn. The final verse encourages the listener to dream sweet dreams without any worries, but in those dreams, to still dream a little dream of the singer.
Overall, the lyrics to Dream A Little Dream Of Me are full of romantic notions, a desire for love and togetherness, and a hopeful yearning for things to come.
Line by Line Meaning
Stars shining bright above you
The stars are visible and bright, shining above you.
Night breezes seem to whisper "I love you"
The gentle night winds seem to be whispering that they love you.
Birds singing in the sycamore tree
There are birds singing in the sycamore tree.
Dream a little dream of me
Please dream a sweet dream that includes me.
Say "Night-ie night" and kiss me
Say goodnight and kiss me.
Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me
Hold me tightly and promise that you will miss me.
While I'm alone and blue as can be
While I'm alone and deeply sad.
Dream a little dream of me
Please dream a sweet dream that includes me.
Stars fading, but I linger on, dear
The stars are slowly fading, but I am still here with you, my dear.
Still craving your kiss
I still yearn for your kiss.
I'm longing to linger till dawn, dear
I want to stay with you until dawn, my love.
Just saying this
I'm just expressing my feelings.
Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you
Have sweet dreams until the morning sunshine finds you.
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you
Have sweet dreams that allow you to forget all your worries.
But in your dreams whatever they be
But in whatever dreams you have.
Dream a little dream of me
Please dream a sweet dream that includes me.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Fabian Andre, Gus Kahn, Wilbur Schwandt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind