The Osborne Brothers, comprising Sonny Osborne (October 29, 1937 – October … Read Full Bio ↴The Osborne Brothers, comprising Sonny Osborne (October 29, 1937 – October 24, 2021) and Bobby Osborne (December 7, 1931 - June 27, 2023), was an influential and popular American bluegrass act during the 1960s and 1970s (and until Sonny Osborne retired in 2005). They are probably best known for their 1967 country hit song, "Rocky Top", written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant and named after a Tennessee location.

The first known public appearance of the Osborne Brothers was in 1951. They joined the cast at WCYB Bristol, Virginia, to perform on a program called "Farm and Fun Time", along with other Bluegrass bands, such as, The Stanley Brothers, Jimmy Martin, Carl Story and his Rambling Mountainers. Other members of "Farm and Fun Time" included, Jim & Jesse, Little Robert Van Winkle, Curly King and the Tennessee Hilltoppers, and country recording artist Red Kirk. The live program aired five days a week, Monday through Friday from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm on WCYB Radio, and covered five states.

Upon their breakout into the bluegrass scene, the Osborne Brothers quickly became noted for their virtuosic instrumentation and tight, melodic vocal harmonies. Their first country chart appearance was "Once More", a 1958 trio with Red Allen, with a then-novel inverted stacked harmony: Bobby singing the lead line highest, then Sonny singing baritone, and finally the third singer (in this case Red Allen) singing the tenor as the lowest part. This placed Bobby's distinctive voice as the lead, and made the third voice a somewhat interchangeable part. As a result, the brothers could hire a series of guitarist/singers without changing their overall sound. This "high lead" vocal trio became their signature sound, used to great effect in the country market, with songs like "Blame Me", "Sweethearts Again", and a remake of the Carter Family's "Fair and Tender Ladies".

During their breakout period of the mid 1950s, Sonny's banjo and Bobby's mandolin styles became distinctive and easily-identifiable with their overall sound. The band was inducted as members of the Grand Ole Opry on August 8, 1964.

The Osborne Brothers have the distinction of having recorded two songs that would go on to be officially voted as "state songs." The first, "Rocky Top," was named a Tennessee state song in 1982. The other, "Kentucky," was named a state song for the brothers' home state of Kentucky.

In 1994, The Osborne Brothers were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association's Hall of Honor. The induction is considered bluegrass music's highest honor.

Send Me The Pillow That You Dream On
The Osborne Brothers Lyrics

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Send Me the Pillow That You Dream On
(Hank Locklin)

Send me the pillow that you dream on
Don't you know that I still care for you
Send me the pillow that you dream on
So darling, I can dream on it too.

Each night while I'm sleeping, oh, so lonely
I share your love in dreams that once were true
Send me the pillow that you dream on
So darling, I can dream on it too.

--- Instrumental ---

Send me the pillow that you dream on
Maybe time will let our dreams come true
Send me the pillow that you dream on
So darling, I can dream on it too.

I've waited so long for you to write me
But just a mem'ry's all that's left of you
Send me the pillow that you dream on
So darling, I can dream on it too.

So darling, I can dream on it too...

Overall Meaning

The Osborne Brothers's song Send Me The Pillow That You Dream On tells a story of a person who still deeply cares for their former lover and pines for them to return. The opening line, "Send me the pillow that you dream on," sets the tone for the song's longing and desperation. The singer pleads with their ex-lover to send them something that symbolizes the love they shared, something they can hold onto in the hope that they may someday be reunited.

The song speaks to the idea that when we dream, even if only in our sleep, we can still feel a connection to those we love. The singer shares their lover's dreamspace, holding onto those dreams as if they are the last remaining connection to what once was. This connection also represents the singer's desperate hope that their former love still thinks of them in some way. They long for the return of the warmth and tenderness that they once shared, and they believe that the pillow may be the key to bringing those feelings back.

Overall, the song is a plea for a former love to return, and it speaks to the human desire for connection and companionship. The image of the pillow as a symbol of the love that was once shared is poignant and heartbreaking, and it perfectly captures the essence of the song's longing.

Send Me The Pillow That You Dream OnThe Osborne Brothers Lyrics

Send Me The Pillow That You Dream On
The Osborne Brothers Lyrics