Their first hit, "I'm Into Something Good", was produced by Mickie Most, reaching #1 in the UK (1963) and #13 in the US (1964). Other hits followed such as "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter" (1965) and "I'm Henry VIII, I Am". The last was said at the time to be "the fastest-selling song in history". The band played on these singles but many of their subsequent singles employed session musicians, including Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, with contributions from the band. The band's singles were written by top songwriters of the day. Regardless of how the records were made, the guitar player, Lek Leckenby, was a gifted guitarist. Indeed, all the other members were capable players and Peter Noone was a charismatic front man. The band was nominated for two Grammy awards in 1965, both for "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter". Noone and the band deliberately emphasized their Manchester accents on the record, which was never intended to be a single.
Born in Manchester, England, Noone was a child TV star in Coronation Street and in other TV work. He was still only 15 when he achieved international fame as teenage heart-throb as leader of the Hermits.
Herman's Hermits, whilst hugely successful in the mid-1960s, never topped the British charts again after their first hit, "I'm Into Something Good". However, they had two US No. 1's with "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter" and "I'm Henry the Eighth, I Am". The band disliked both songs, and never released them as singles in Britain. They appeared in several movies, including When The Boys Meet The Girls (1965) and Hold On! (1966). They also appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Dean Martin Show and The Jackie Gleason Show.
They enjoyed consistent success in Britain throughout the rest of the decade but they were even more popular in America for a while. Their hits continued until 1967's "No Milk Today". Soon, however, the Monkees had replaced Herman's Hermits as the simple pop rock act, and the Hermits' career declined. "There's a Kind of Hush (All Over the World)" engendered a revival, but the Hermits never again cracked the top 10 in the U.S. This song was, however, successfully covered by The Carpenters in their album "A Kind of Hush", released in 1976. The band continued releasing records throughout the 1970s with little success. In the end, Herman's Hermits were a band which were both blessed and cursed by the 'niche' in which originally they found success.
(Adapted from Wikipedia)
I Gotta Dream On
Herman's Hermits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And then what could I do? My dream began again
So here I go into a world where I can
Dream on, just thinkin' of you
I gotta dream on; that's all I can do
Now that you know how I feel for you
It just goes to show I'll be true to youSo here I go into a world where I can
Dream on, just thinkin' of you
I gotta dream on; that's all I can do
'Cause if you want me by your side
You gotta hold your hands across the sky
Tread the stairway through the stars
Into your arms, into your arms
Your pretty face came into view
'Cause if you want me by your side
Your pretty face came into view
I gotta dream on, just thinkin' of you
I gotta dream on, that's all I can do
The song "I Gotta Dream On" by Herman's Hermits is a love song that speaks of the singer's desire to be with the object of his affection. The opening lines of the song reveal the singer's obsession with his crush and the hold she has over him. The words "Your pretty face came into view, and then what could I do? My dream began again" suggest that the mere sight of the woman's face triggers the singer's imagination, and he begins to daydream about the possibility of being with her. The phrase "So here I go into a world where I can dream on" implies that the singer is transported into a world of unlimited possibilities, where his imagination can run wild and he can indulge in his fantasies.
The lyrics of the second verse reveal the depth of the singer's feelings for the woman. He declares that he will be faithful to her and that his love for her is genuine. However, he is aware that his love for her may not be reciprocated, and all he can do is dream about her. The lines "I gotta dream on; that's all I can do" serve as a reminder that sometimes one’s feelings cannot be controlled and can only be expressed through dreams and imagination.
All in all, "I Gotta Dream On" is a beautiful love song that captures the essence of being in love and the lengths one goes to be with the one they love.
Line by Line Meaning
Your pretty face came into view
As soon as I saw your beautiful face, my mind drifted off into a dreamy state.
And then what could I do? My dream began again
I couldn't help but daydream about you again.
So here I go into a world where I can
I am entering a dream world where anything is possible.
Dream on, just thinkin' of you
I can only dream about being with you and thinking of you.
I gotta dream on; that's all I can do
I have no other choice but to dream about you as I can't be with you in reality.
Now that you know how I feel for you
Now that you know my true feelings for you.
It just goes to show I'll be true to you
My love for you is genuine and I will always be loyal to you.
'Cause if you want me by your side
If you want to be with me.
You gotta hold your hands across the sky
You have to go to great lengths to be with me.
Tread the stairway through the stars
You have to climb the metaphorical ladder of success to win my heart.
Into your arms, into your arms
Only then can we be together in each other's embrace.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GARY GORDON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@darrylbrassard8959
One of my favs as a 10 years old
@maxroyle6750
Wonderful guitar tone - Gibson ES-345 with the Varitone pre-1967
@jimbrown7812
I sang this song for a 6th grade talent show in 1966.
@pattykinsley536
Good song! Thanks for telling me about it.
@chasjohn57
They always had the best guitar hooks
@coolbro8922
I have this song on a 45 record.
@sergeymagel8715
Splendid Retro. Pleasant Evening.
@sunryse111
Thank you, my friend.
@michaelnyny
I knew this as the B side to Mrs Brown and played it often. Then again on the On Tour LP.
@sunryse111
Thanks for your comment, Michael. Glad I got the USA details right!