Darn That Dream
Frank Sinatra & Tommy Dorsey And His Orchestra Lyrics
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You say you love me and you hold me tight
But when I awake, you're out of sight
Oh, darn that dream
Darn your lips and darn your eyes
They lift me high above the moonlit skies
Then I tumble out of paradise
Darn that one-track mind of mine
I can't understand that you don't care
Just to change the mood I'm in
I'd welcome a nice old nightmare
Darn that dream and bless it too
Without that dream, I never would have you
But it haunts me and it won't come true
Oh, darn that dream
The song "Darn That Dream" is a love song initially released in 1939 by the famous big band leader Tommy Dorsey and with Frank Sinatra as its vocalist. The song is about a protagonist whose dream of a loved one, who they cannot have in real life, is what they hold onto in their subconscious when they sleep. The character acknowledges that the dream provides them with happiness and feelings of being connected to the person they love, but laments that they can't have them in waking life.
The song's opening line, "Darn that dream I dream each night," sets the tone for the whole lyrics. The constant repetition of the phrase "Darn that dream" throughout the song indicates the main idea that dreams can be as much of a curse as they are a blessing. The singer is conflicted, as the dream keeps them close to someone they love, but it also reminds them of the harsh reality that they cannot have the person they desire. The line "Without that dream, I never would have you" suggests that the character feels grateful for the dream, but the fact that it "haunts" them indicates that they are still torn.
Line by Line Meaning
Darn that dream I dream each night
I hate dreaming about you each night
You say you love me and you hold me tight
In my dream, you express love and affection towards me
But when I awake, you're out of sight
When I wake up, the feeling of love disappears
Oh, darn that dream
I curse and blame the dream for the false feeling of love
Darn your lips and darn your eyes
I blame your lips and eyes for making me fall in love in the dream
They lift me high above the moonlit skies
They make me feel ecstatic and overjoyed in the dream
Then I tumble out of paradise
Upon waking up, I realize it was just a dream and feel disappointed and low-spirited
Oh, darn that dream
I curse and blame the dream again for the rollercoaster of emotions it put me through
Darn that one-track mind of mine
I blame myself for obsessing over you in the dream
I can't understand that you don't care
I can't comprehend why you don't reciprocate my love in the dream
Just to change the mood I'm in
To get over the feeling of love in the dream, I would welcome a nightmare instead
I'd welcome a nice old nightmare
I would rather go through the torment of a scary dream than the pain of a false feeling of love
Darn that dream and bless it too
I curse the dream, but also appreciate it for bringing you into my life
Without that dream, I never would have you
If not for the dream, I would have never felt love towards you
But it haunts me and it won't come true
However, the dream is still a ghost that taunts me as it will never come true
Oh, darn that dream
I end the song once again cursing the dream for its power over my emotions
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EDDIE DELANGE, JAMES VAN HEUSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Todora
Awesome arrangement + Vocals by Anita!
LOGAN BOGGS
I have heard that 1939 was the best year in Hollywood, California; when it came to films.
Trombonology Erstwhile
Here we find the Dorsey band in transition. I suspect that Paul Weston wrote this chart, based on some of the figures, but I've found no verification. Anita was a fine vocalist, as we hear, but obviously she didn't have just what TD was looking for, as she participated in a mere few sides with the Sentimental Gentleman. The overall effect here is nice, but if you've heard the Goodman version, with Mildred Bailey's sublime vocal, this Dorsey take pales in comparison, despite our arranger's efforts to make of it a dramatic affair. Normally, I'm not even a huge fan of Sauter's writing for the Goodman orch, but the chart he fashioned for Mildred, with whom he had worked so closely in the Norvo band is spectacular. I find myself enjoying Carmen Mastren's rhythm the most in this Dorsey record.
TonyBuemi
great though I'm partial to Mildred Bailey haunting version
Samuel Caballero
I think the haunting version is perfect
THE REAL DEAL XO
How♥️😇
Clair Subress
Ara <3