Wiley was born in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. While still in her early teens, she left home to pursue a singing career with the Leo Reisman band. Her career was temporarily interrupted by a fall while horseback riding. Wiley suffered temporary blindness, but recovered, and at the age of 19 was back with Reisman again, with whom she recorded three songs: "Take It From Me," "Time On My Hands," and her own composition, "Got The South In My Soul." She sang with Paul Whiteman and later, the Casa Loma Orchestra. A collaboration with composer Victor Young resulted in several songs for which Wiley wrote the lyrics, including "Got The South in My Soul" and "Anytime, Anyday, Anywhere," the latter an R&B hit in the 1950s.
In 1939, Wiley recorded eight Gershwin songs on 78s with a small group for Liberty Music Shops. The set sold well and was followed by 78s dedicated to the music of Cole Porter (1940) and Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart (1940 and 1954), Harold Arlen (1943), and 10" LPs dedicated to the music of Vincent Youmans and Irving Berlin (1951). The players on these recordings included Bunny Berigan, Bud Freeman, Max Kaminsky, Fats Waller, Billy Butterfield, Bobby Hackett, Eddie Condon, Stan Freeman, Cy Walter, and the bandleader Jess Stacy, to whom Wiley was married for a number of years. These influential albums launched the concept of a "songbook" (often featuring lesser-known songs), which was later widely imitated by other singers.
Wiley's career made a resurgence in 1950 with the much admired ten-inch album Night in Manhattan. In 1954, she opened the very first Newport Jazz Festival accompanied by Bobby Hackett. Later in the decade she recorded two of her finest albums, West of the Moon (1956) and A Touch of the Blues (1957). In the 1960s, Wiley retired, although she acted in a 1963 television film, Something About Lee Wiley, which told her life story. The film stimulated interest in the singer. Her last public appearance was a concert in Carnegie Hall in 1972 as part of the New York Jazz Festival, where she was enthusiastically received.
Street of Dreams
Lee Wiley Lyrics
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Come on and trade in your old dreams for new
Your new dreams for old
I know where they're bought
I know where they're sold
Midnight, you've got to get there at midnight
And you'll be met there by others like you
Brothers as blue
Love laughs at a king
Kings don't mean a thing
On the street of dreams
Dreams broken in two can be made like new
On the street of dreams
Gold, sliver and gold
All you can hold is in the moonbeams
Poor, no one is poor
Long as love is sure
On the street of dreams
Midnight, look at the steeple, it's midnight
Unhappy people, it's ringing with joy
It's ringing with cheer
'Cause yesterday's gone
Tomorrow is near
Midnight, the heart is lighter at midnight
Things will be brighter the moment you find
More of your kind
Smiling on the street of dreams
Love laughs at a king
Kings don't mean a thing
On the street of dreams
Dreams broken in two can be made like new
On the street of dreams
Gold, sliver and gold
All you can hold is in the moonbeams
Poor, no one is poor
Long as love is sure
On the street of dreams
The song "Street of Dreams" by Lee Wiley addresses the idea of people coming together on the street of dreams. The song talks about how at midnight, when the world is silent and the steeple chimes, people can trade in their old dreams for new ones. The street is a place where dreams, broken in two, can be mended and made like new. The sense of community on the street of dreams is emphasized with the lyrics "you'll be met there by others like you, brothers as blue, smiling on the street of dreams."
The song also touches on the idea that love is the most important thing on the street of dreams, and that it is a leveler of sorts. Love laughs at a king and kings don't mean a thing on the street of dreams. The lyrics "poor, no one is poor, long as love is sure" further emphasize this idea. The street of dreams, therefore, becomes a place where people can come together and leave behind their troubles for a little while.
Overall, "Street of Dreams" is a song that celebrates the power of community, love, and hope. It offers a hopeful message to those who might be struggling, suggesting that there is always a place where they can find support and encouragement.
Line by Line Meaning
Midnight, you heavy laden, it's midnight
It's midnight, a time when people are weighed down by their old dreams and burdens.
Come on and trade in your old dreams for new
You can let go of your old dreams and embrace new ones now.
Your new dreams for old
You can also replace your new dreams with old ones if you wish.
I know where they're bought
The singer knows where to find new dreams if you need them.
I know where they're sold
Similarly, the singer knows where to sell your old dreams if you want to let them go.
Midnight, you've got to get there at midnight
It is important to take action and go to where new dreams can be found.
And you'll be met there by others like you
There will be others in search of new dreams who can relate to your struggles.
Brothers as blue
These others in search of new dreams are equally sad and weighed down.
Smiling on the street of dreams
But they can still smile and find hope on the street of dreams.
Love laughs at a king
Love is more powerful and valuable than a king's wealth and power.
Kings don't mean a thing
A king's status and wealth pale in comparison to the importance of love.
Dreams broken in two can be made like new
Even if your dreams have been broken, they can be fixed or replaced.
Gold, sliver and gold
All the riches of the world are nothing compared to the power of love.
All you can hold is in the moonbeams
The true treasures of life cannot be held but are seen in the beauty of the world around you.
Poor, no one is poor
As long as you have love, you are not poor, no matter your worldly possessions.
Long as love is sure
The only true certainty and measure of wealth is the presence of love in your life.
Midnight, look at the steeple, it's midnight
It is still midnight, but now there is hope and joy in the air.
Unhappy people, it's ringing with joy
The once unhappy people are now filled with joy and happiness, thanks to new dreams and love.
It's ringing with cheer
The steeple is ringing with a spirit of celebration and positivity.
'Cause yesterday's gone
The past is no longer the focus or burden, but rather a chance to learn and grow.
Tomorrow is near
The future is close and full of promise and hope.
Midnight, the heart is lighter at midnight
At midnight, the heart can feel lighter and more free from heavy burdens.
Things will be brighter the moment you find
Finding new dreams and love can make everything in life feel brighter and more positive.
More of your kind
Being surrounded by people who understand your struggles and share your hope and dreams can make all the difference.
Smiling on the street of dreams
Even in tough times, there is always hope and joy to be found on the street of dreams.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sam Lewis, Victor Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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More people should know about this woman. Exquisite voice. Complete understanding of the lyric. Knows exactly what she is doing at every moment. I'm going to play it again.
Mark Thompson
I only discovered Lee Wiley through Bunny Berigan. And now, I can't stop listening to this. It is so seductive. I can see what he fell for...
Tom Finn
Lee Wiley does the best version of this tune that I've ever heard. Beautiful! The arrangement and the mood is great!!!!!
Perry Weiner
So many wonderful singers, Lee one of the best, so much superb material.
M
GOOD GOD! This is art.
Tony Anderton
Serious art.
tony c
beautiful arrangement and excellent performance both orchestra and Ms Wiley
Lin McPhillips
I never heard the verse to this great old classic by Victor Young. Lee Wiley was a real favorite of many jazz musicians in the 30's and 40's. While still in her early teens, she left home to pursue a singing career with the Leo Reisman band. Her career was temporarily interrupted by a fall while horseback riding. Wiley suffered temporary blindness, but recovered, and at the age of 19 was back with Reisman again. She also worked with Benny Goodman and had a brief marriage with Jess Stacy (piano player with Goodman)
Bob Fleck
Definitely Hackett, the best fills of anyone. They should have been patented. His work shines, whether honoring Bix in Benny's 1938 concert, or these Wiley sides, Louis 1947 Town Hall Concert or his work with Jackie Gleason, shy, unasuming, as good as it got.
Ernie Tong
Lovely. Just discovering Lee Wiley. Seems like two songs in one.