He was performing very much in the rock n roll piano style of his cousin Jerry Lee Lewis (and another cousin, the Reverend Jimmy Swaggart). He formed his own label, Astro in 1964 and cut an album named after a Lewis success "Down the Line". Re-issued on Paula, the album was a regional hit. The big time, however, continued to elude him although he had a minor hit with "Now I Can Live Again" from the album. At an Astro session he laid down a version of George Morgan's old hit "Room Full of Roses" which attracted airplay locally and was picked up for national release by Hugh Heffner's Playboy label. It hit No. 1 in the Country charts. After 12 further hits with the label, Playboy was taken over by Epic and Gilley moved there for his most consistent run of album and singles success.
He was now performing straight-up piano-led Country material. Gradually, he moved towards a more pop-orientated sound in the 1980s, which brought him further success on not just the Country charts, but also the Pop charts. Before that, however, he had a string of Country hits throughout the 70s, often revivals like "I Overlooked An Orchid" (Carl Smith - No. 1, 1974), "City Lights" (Bill Anderson - No. 1 1975), "Window Up Above" (George Jones - No. 1 1975), "Bring It On Home" (Sam Cooke - No. 1 1976). His mix of rockabilly, honky tonk and uptown Country provided more hits with "Chains of Love" (No. 9, 1977) "Honky Tonk Memories" (No. 4, 1977) and "Here Comes The Hurt Again" (No. 9,1978).
In all, Gilley had 33 Top 10 singles, 17 of which reached No. 1, on the US Country chart between 1974 and 1986. Amongst the biggest hits were "Don't the Girls All Get Prettier at Closing Time,"(No. 1) "Overnight Sensation" (No. 7, both 1976), remakes of the Ben E King hit "Stand By Me" and Buddy Holly's "True Love Ways" (both No. 1s in 1980).
In 1971 he lent his name to the opening the famous country nightclub Gilley's in Pasadena, Texas. His career received a big boost when both the club and his music featured prominently in the 1980 film "Urban Cowboy". The soundtrack included the Buddy Holly cover which went to No. 1. The club closed in 1989 and the building was heavily damaged by arson later that year. A new Gilley's club opened in 2003 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. And Gilley's Theatre and Diner in Branson saw the singer take up a successful residency in that Missouri city.
His most recent successful recording activity was in 1988 when he released "Chasin' Rainbows" on Airborne which produced his last Top 40 single to date when "She Reminded Me Of You" reached No 23 in the Country charts.
In July 2009, Gilly suffered a back injury in a fall and was airlifted to Houston for medical treatment but subsequently returned to Branson and performing in his theatre there. He has a Facebook information page on which he sends regular video messages to members. A recent joint biography about the three cousins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggert and Mickey, called "Unconquered" by J D Davis is a must for any fan of their music, rock n roll, Country and gospel music.
Put Your Dreams Away
Mickey Gilley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And somehow you know, a dream has just come true
Well, here it is baby and what I'm trying to say
Well here I am, darling, you can put your dreams away
Ever wish for love and you wish so long
You begin to think, it would never come along
Well, here it is baby, and what I'm trying to say
Put your dreams away, just lay beside me
Take all this love, that's here inside me
Here's all the dream, you'll ever need
Put your dreams away, rest them on my shoulder
Darling, the search is over, if you wanna love
That's here to stay, you can put your dreams away
You can look for love, in a thousand eyes
You can search the world, but don't you realize?
That, here it is baby, what I'm trying to say
I'll always love you darling, so, put your dreams away
Put your dreams away and just lay beside me
Take all this love, that's here inside me
Here's all the dream, you'll ever need
Put your dreams away, rest them on my shoulder
Darling, the search is over, if you wanna love
That's here to stay
Put your dreams away and just lay beside me
Take all the love, that's here inside me
Here's all the dream, you'll ever need
The lyrics of "Put Your Dreams Away" by Mickey Gilley talk about the love between two people, and how one person reassures the other that their search for love has ended. The song is about finding love after a long search and how the two people in the relationship can trust each other to fulfill all of their dreams, without worrying about anything else. The lyrics suggest that the two of them are in love, and that their love is all that they need to feel happy, comfortable, and fulfilled.
The opening line sets the tone for the rest of the song, about how something magical and life-changing is about to take place. The songwriter suggests that when someone special enters your life, you can sense it, and you know that a dream has come true. The next set of lines talks about how many people wish for love but often feel that their search will never end. But in this instance, the singer is saying that the search is finally over and the dreams they've been having can be put away. In the chorus, he invites the person to put their dreams away and just be with him because he is all they need.
The song's lyrics are a declaration of love, and they resonate with people who have found love after searching for it for a long time. The melody is soft, soothing and invokes a calming feeling, which complements the message of the lyrics. Overall, the song encourages people to trust love and to know that it can come into their lives and change everything for the better.
Line by Line Meaning
Every now and then someone comes to you
Occasionally, a person enters your life
And somehow you know, a dream has just come true
And you realize that one of your dreams has come true
Well, here it is baby and what I'm trying to say
So, here I am, my dear, and the message I want to convey is
Well here I am, darling, you can put your dreams away
Here I am, my love, and you don't have to aspire for anything else anymore
Ever wish for love and you wish so long
Often, you crave affection and yearn for it deeply
You begin to think, it would never come along
You begin to feel that love would never find you
Well, here it is baby, and what I'm trying to say
But now, my dear, love has arrived and I would like to convey
Here I am, darling, so put your dreams away
I'm here for you, my beloved, so you don't need to dream of anything else
Put your dreams away, just lay beside me
Abandon your aspirations and just lie next to me
Take all this love, that's here inside me
Accept all the affection that resides within me
Here's all the dream, you'll ever need
I'm the only dream you require
Put your dreams away, rest them on my shoulder
Stop aspiring for anything and let me be your support
Darling, the search is over, if you wanna love
My dear, the quest is now complete, if you desire love
That's here to stay, you can put your dreams away
The affection that's here for always, so you can relinquish your ambitions
You can look for love, in a thousand eyes
You may seek love in countless individuals
You can search the world, but don't you realize?
You can scan the entire globe, but haven't you apprehended yet?
That, here it is baby, what I'm trying to say
That it's here with me, my dear, which is the point I'm trying to emphasize
I'll always love you darling, so, put your dreams away
I will always love you, my beloved, so abandon your desires
Put your dreams away and just lay beside me
Give up on your aspirations and cuddle with me
Take all the love, that's here inside me
Imbibe all the affection stored within me
Here's all the dream, you'll ever need
I am the only dream you require
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RICHARD C LEIGH, WAYLAND HOLYFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Browns Backer
Wow what a much missed time -era of music I miss so badly today. These were definitely the best days of my 51 years
James Brown
Hee Haw and radio!!
Cheryl Minda
Couldn't agree more.
George Viada
RIP Mickey Gilley! Owner of Gilley’s in Pasadena, Texas and a well-known country singer who inspired Texas fans like me.
Jackie Selvey
Nice pic. Tru
Vivian Madison Mahoney
My husband and I had Put Your Dreams Away played at our wedding. But before we ever got together without ever planning, every time one of us would go to the Post Office the other would be there. But even more ironic it seemed like almost every time Mickey Gilley would be on our radio stations singing Room full of Roses. ❤
My husband said just about a month before he was killed in an accident, "baby doll, you know something? We lived in the very best time America has ever seen." And in the eight years he's been gone those words could never be more factual. I'm hoping and praying to God that those country stars will be on the other side when we get there because there's not many left here, that's for sure. Willie, Dolly, Bill Anderson oh, yeah few more but not many.
K. Silva
Prettiest song! Love the melody! Adds to my wonderful high school memories. 🥰
Troy the Great
Haven't heard this one in a while. Sounds as good as ever!
Wet Dirt
This is classic and timeless. Country at its finest.
Donna Snyder
I sure wish country music was like this today. This is definitely country music.