Newman was born in New Orleans, Louisiana to a musical family, having his first music lessons from David Jones. He attended Alabama State College, where he joined the college band, became its leader, and took it on tour.
In 1941 he joined Lionel Hampton for two years, before signing with Count Basie, with whom he stayed for a total of thirteen years, interrupted by short breaks and a long period (1947–1952) spent first with saxophonist Illinois Jacquet and then drummer J. C. Heard. During his second period with Basie, which lasted for about nine years, he made a number of small-group recordings as leader. He also played on Benny Goodman's 1962 tour of the Soviet Union.
In 1961 Newman left the Basie band, and helped to found Jazz Interactions, of which he became president in 1967. Jazz Interactions was a charitable organisation which provided an information service, took jazz master classes into schools and colleges, and later maintained its own Jazz Interaction Orchestra (for which Newman wrote).
In the 1970s and 1980s Newman toured internationally, and recorded for various major record labels. He suffered a stroke in 1991, however, which seriously disabled him.
Dream A Little Dream Of Me
Joe Newman 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 is a charming lullaby, where the singer invites the listener to dream with them. The first verse sets the scene of a peaceful night, "Stars shining bright above you, Night breezes seem to whisper 'I love you.'" The second verse is a plea to the listener to stay, "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, Dream a little dream of me." The chorus reassures the listener that they will have sweet dreams, "Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you, Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you."
The third verse is sung in a slightly sadder tone, "Stars fading, but I linger on, dear, Still craving your kiss, I'm longing to linger till dawn, dear, Just saying this." The song ends with another chorus, reassuring the listener that they will dream of them and to dream of whatever they wish.
Overall, Dream A Little Dream Of Me is a romantic and soothing song, perfect for a lullaby or a slow dance.
Line by Line Meaning
Stars shining bright above you
The stars in the sky are shining bright over you
Night breezes seem to whisper "I love you"
The gentle night winds are whispering sweet nothings of love
Birds singing in the sycamore tree
The birds are singing melodiously in the sycamore tree
Dream a little dream of me
Think of me and let your mind wander into a dreamland
Say "Night-ie night" and kiss me
Say goodnight to me and give me a kiss
Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me
Hold me tightly and promise to miss me
While I'm alone and blue as can be
Although I am feeling lonely and sad
Dream a little dream of me
Think of me and let your mind wander into a dreamland
Stars fading, but I linger on, dear
The stars are fading away, but I am still here
Still craving your kiss
I still want to be kissed by you
I'm longing to linger till dawn, dear
I want to stay with you until the break of dawn
Just saying this
I am only saying this
Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you
Have sweet dreams until the sun finds you in the morning
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you
Have sweet dreams that make you forget all your worries
But in your dreams whatever they be
Whatever dreams you have
Dream a little dream of me
Think of me and let your mind wander into a dreamland
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Fabian Andre, Gus Kahn, Wilbur Schwandt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@edwardball1328
Another new one for me. Where have I been all these years? Hi Hi Catching up now with the best. Edward Ball
@tsardaddy9053
This is actually so good, oh my goodness. I found it randomly while scrolling through your uploads and cannot stop listening! Such a pure and easy-going feeling in this tune.
@rememberourmusic53
Today, September 7th 2016 is the 94th anniversary of the birth of Joe Newman.
If you are interested in more recordings by distinguished African-American musicians, please check out my youtube channel "Remember our Music" a site which daily honors a great African-American musician including the famous Ray Charles, B. B. King, John Coltrane, Otis Redding, plus divas of opera and gospel including: Jesse Norman, Cissy Houston (Whitney’s mother) and Dorothy Maynor (founder of the Harlem School of the Arts) – all born in the month of September.