Costa showed her musical ability at an early age, singing Sunday School solos at the age of six. At 14, she moved to Hollywood with her parents and soon won a Music Sorority Award as the outstanding voice among Southern California High School seniors.
While studying for the concert stage, she performed with Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy on radio, and with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis on stage. In 1952 after attending a party with her future husband, director Frank Tashlin, she found herself auditioning for the part of Disney's Princess Aurora. Walt Disney called her personally within hours of the audition to inform her that the part was hers.
Costa went on to become "one of the most beautiful women to grace the operatic stage," according to The New York Times. She performed in 44 operatic roles on stages throughout the world, including Jules Massenet's Manon at the Metropolitan Opera, and the lead in La Traviata at the Royal Opera House in London.
Jacqueline Kennedy asked her to sing at a memorial service for her husband, U.S. President John F. Kennedy, from the Los Angeles Sports Arena in 1963. Nine years later, she starred in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer feature The Great Waltz, depicting the life of Austrian composer Johann Strauss.
Costa dedicated her later years to inspiring children and teenagers, giving motivational talks at schools and colleges across the country. She is also an Ambassador for Childhelp USA, which ministers to the needs of abused children.
An Unusual Prince/Once Upon A Dream
Mary Costa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I walked with you once upon a dream
I know you!
The gleam in your eyes is so familiar a gleam
Yet I know it's true the visions are seldom all they seem
But if I know you
I know what you'll do
You'll love me at once
But if I know you
I know what you'll do
You'll love me at once
The way you did once upon a dream
I know you!
I walked with you once upon a dream
I know you!
The gleam in your eyes is so familiar a gleam
And I know it's true that visions are seldom all they seem
But if I know you
I know what you'll do
You'll love me at once
The way you did once upon a dream
In "An Unusual Prince/Once Upon A Dream," Mary Costa sings about having a dream that she once walked with someone who she feels like she knows. She sings, "I know you! The gleam in your eyes is so familiar a gleam." She acknowledges that dreams can be deceiving and not always what they seem, but she is hopeful that this person will love her once again "the way you did once upon a dream." The song is a romantic ballad, with a sense of familiarity and a longing for a past love.
The lyrics suggest that the singer has experienced a past life or a dream that feels like a memory. The sense of familiarity and knowing this person suggests that they have a deep connection that goes beyond their current existence. The repeated refrain, "But if I know you, I know what you'll do" implies that the singer understands this person's character and intentions, and that they trust them. The song ends on a hopeful note with the idea of rekindling their love.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you!
I am familiar with you and recognize you.
I walked with you once upon a dream
I had a dream where we were together and walking hand in hand.
The gleam in your eyes is so familiar a gleam
The look in your eyes reminds me of something familiar.
Yet I know it's true the visions are seldom all they seem
I understand that dreams can be misleading and not always what they appear to be.
But if I know you
Despite the uncertainty of the dream, I have confidence in who you are.
I know what you'll do
I have faith in your future actions.
You'll love me at once
I believe that you will instantly love me.
The way you did once upon a dream
Just as you did in the dream we shared.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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