Polka Dots And Moonbeams
Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra & Frank Sinatra Lyrics

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Sparkled on a pug-nosed dream

There were questions in the eyes of other dancers
As we floated over the floor
There were questions but my heart knew all the answers
And perhaps a few things more

Now in a cottage built of lilacs and laughter
I know the meaning of the words "Ever after"

And I'll always see polka dots and moonbeams
When I kiss the pug-nosed dream

Overall Meaning

The song Polka Dots and Moonbeams is a romantic ballad that describes a chance encounter at a garden dance. The singer bumps into someone and apologizes, only to be captivated by the sight of polka dots and moonbeams surrounding a pug-nosed dream. The music starts and the singer musters the courage to ask for a dance, holding the pug-nosed dream in their arms. Despite the questions from other dancers, the singer knows the answers in their heart, and the two float across the dance floor. The song concludes with an idyllic scene of living happily ever after in a cottage, where the singer will always see polka dots and moonbeams when they kiss their pug-nosed dream.

Line by Line Meaning

A country dance was being held in a garden
I attended an outdoor dance event in a garden

I felt a bump and heard an "Oh, beg your pardon"
I accidentally bumped into someone and apologized

Suddenly I saw polka dots and moonbeams
I was entranced by the beauty of my surroundings

All around a pug-nosed dream
The person I was gazing at was adorable despite their physical features

The music started and was I the perplexed one
When the music began, I was unsure of what to do

I held my breath and said "May I have the next one?"
I nervously asked my dance partner for the next dance

In my frightened arms, polka dots and moonbeams
While we danced, I could still see the beauty of my surroundings

Sparkled on a pug-nosed dream
The person I was dancing with was still charming to me

There were questions in the eyes of other dancers
I could sense that other people were curious about my dance partner and I

As we floated over the floor
While we danced, it felt like we were gliding across the ground

There were questions but my heart knew all the answers
Although others may have been skeptical, I knew in my heart that I was happy with my dance partner

And perhaps a few things more
Perhaps my feelings went deeper than just enjoying a dance

Now in a cottage built of lilacs and laughter
Nowadays, I am happily settled in a cozy home filled with joy and cheer

I know the meaning of the words "Ever after"
I have found my happily ever after, and I understand what that means

And I'll always see polka dots and moonbeams
Whenever I think of that magical night, I'll think of the beauty of my surroundings

When I kiss the pug-nosed dream
Whenever I kiss my beloved, I'll be reminded of that special person from the dance

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Broma 16, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES VAN HEUSEN, JIMMY VAN HEUSEN, JOHNNY BURKE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@manofspork1135

3y↑13

A country dance was being held in a garden
I felt a bump and heard an "Oh, beg your pardon"
Suddenly I saw polka dots and moonbeams
All around a pug-nosed dream
The music started and was I the perplexed one
I held my breath and said "May I have the next one?"
In my frightened arms, polka dots and moonbeams
Sparkled on a pug-nosed dream
There were questions in the eyes of other dancers
As we floated over the floor
There were questions but my heart knew all the answers
And perhaps a few things more
Now in a cottage built of lilacs and laughter
I know the meaning of the words "Ever after"
And I'll always see polka dots and moonbeams
When I kiss the pug-nosed dream

@moronpawn

Un baile campestre se estaba llevando a cabo en un jardín.
A country dance was being held in a garden

Sentí un golpe y escuché un "Oh, disculpe"
I felt a bump and heard an "Oh, beg your pardon"

De repente vi lunares y rayos de luna
Suddenly I saw polka dots and moonbeams

Todo alrededor de un sueño de nariz chata
All around a pug-nosed dream

Empezó la música y fui yo el perplejo
The music started and was I the perplexed one

Contuve la respiración y dije: "¿Puedo tener el siguiente?"
I held my breath and said "May I have the next one?"

En mis brazos asustados, lunares y rayos de luna
In my frightened arms, polka dots and moonbeams

Brillaba en un sueño de nariz chata
Sparkled on a pug-nosed dream

Había preguntas en los ojos de otros bailarines.
There were questions in the eyes of other dancers

Mientras flotamos sobre el suelo
As we floated over the floor

Había preguntas pero mi corazón sabía todas las respuestas
There were questions but my heart knew all the answers

Y tal vez algunas cosas más
And perhaps a few things more

Ahora en una cabaña construida de lilas y risas
Now in a cottage built of lilacs and laughter

Sé el significado de las palabras "Ever after"
I know the meaning of the words "Ever after"

Y siempre veré lunares y rayos de luna
And I'll always see polka dots and moonbeams

Cuando beso el sueño de nariz chata
When I kiss the pug-nosed dream

All comments from YouTube:

@moldyoldie7888

8w↑1

I went to a church service a few days ago, and during Communion the band played this tune. No singing. No joke! I kidded the pianist about it. He was a Sinatra fan.

@charmisq1

1y↑7

They don’t make music like this anymore. Just the lyrics of this song is so wonderful, it makes you think of the possibilities of love. I don’t know what it is but I sometimes feel like I should be living in a different era

@eustace8520

1y↑4

We live in the best worst era. We have all the beautiful music from the past in our hands, and we can listen to anything at any given moment (where there's internet, that is). But at the same time, we live in a time where true beauty is no longer valued, and garbage is glorified. Just be glad you're living swell, I guess.

@Nicoletta222contessa.castle

32w↑2

I dreamt of this song then heard it ,then saw a past life ❤️

@J.D.Hardesty

3y↑29

I prefer Frank's earliest work, before he was so full of himself. He really did sound like an angel.

@starbuono825

2y↑2

Same here ! I thought I the only one ! 😂👍👍👍👍

@ProdigyBowlersTour

1y↑7

Don't kid yourself. He sounded pretty awesome once his voice matured, too.

@monesqe

37w↑3

@@ProdigyBowlersTour The Capitol era had fantastic music and he could still sing. He could still hold notes without his voice cracking. He didn't yet have to shout to hit high notes. The Dorsey-James era was the best for pure vocals. Really was so smooth.

@Sealed_Chamber

5y↑22

A timeless song.

@Lolabelle59

4y↑10

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Aunt Gena. Miss you and Uncle Tommy. Love, your Godchild Janet and Cousin Jimmy xoxo

@DanJtheB

2y↑2

I have Tommy's autograph. He (& Frank) performed at the opening of the Hollywood Palladium on October 31, 1940. My parents were there!

@holyspacemonkey

1y↑6

I’ve been listening to this on repeat for days. I just adore Frank’s recordings with Tommy Dorsey, especially this one.

@manofspork1135

3y↑13

@jjakiefte2165

1y↑3

Babe Russin on the tenor sax, TD on his muted trombone, Sy Oliver's arrangement and Frank's smooth as silk voice make this one for the ages.

@brune7383

3y↑7

melts me everytime

@elis6299

Magical

@holyspacemonkey

1y↑1

0:44 Irving “Babe” Russin on tenor sax. Perfection!

@garyk.nedrow8302

2y↑6

Sinatra would later improve his phrasing and diction, but the timbre of his voice between 1940 and 1945, before smoking and over-use took their toll, was superb. This was his first hit. Several more followed in quick succession. By 1945, he was singing "I Fall in Love too Easily" in the movie Anchors Aweigh. Compare these two songs, and you'll see what I mean about his improvement. At his best, he was among the best popular soloists of his time.

@monesqe

37w

I'd say the 1939-1945 era was clearly the best for his voice. People should listen to these ultra oldies (like All or Nothing at All with Harry James) just so they can realize why he got famous in the first place. So smooth, effortless range. His voice then coarsened, but the '50s Capitol era rebound was pretty fine and he could still sing. And the music had a certain gravity to it that was unforgettable. He had increasing vocal problems going along. For my money, he should have stayed retired at the end of the 60s.

@Dlp-cf7ks

2y↑2

Imagine this real music in a real restaurant ...

@thewhitemystery1760

does anyone know how to get the tone tommy dorsey has? is it a mute or just an effect of the old recording?

@moronpawn

@starbuono825

2y↑1

Hi . I just want to point out as CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM , that even though your Spanish spelling is good , your translation is not quite right . You are translating literally and it. just doesn't sound right . I think. that if this song had Spanish lyrics, it would most likely have totally different lyrics ! Thanx ! 👍

@moronpawn

@@starbuono825 Hello. I have translated this song very superficially, in order to understand the idea. As another Spanish speaker, I am aware that in Spanish it sounds like shit. I had already thought about "translating" the expressions not literally, and your comment brought me back to the idea. I hope to do it soon. Thanks.

@starbuono825

@@moronpawn 😁👍

@greghemlock6679

Skinny kid from Hoboken 😊

@yoyoitsme

1y↑2

yesterday my friends and myself have found out, that the cryptocurrency project moonbeam received it's name from this song. we went apeshit in discord. in a couple of years time, we will be sitting in our chesterfields chairs, smoking heavy gas and enjoying this song while laughing out loud. the matrix can be funny sometimes.

@recordprefect4284

😂😂😂

@micahdude8235

2y↑5

Does any one know what "pug nose dream" means?

Does he mean to say he has been presented with a short windowed dream? Like the dream(the girl he bumps into) is so sudden he has to act on it before it passes? Thats gotta be it.

@seannorman9169

2y↑5

I went on Google and other search engine,I could not find anything about pug nose dream... Maybe it's just a fill in for a song..

@melaniebrueggemann5637

2y↑9

I think it is a description of the girl ("pug-nosed dream"). She has a cute face with a small nose, like a pug (yeah, I am not sure if it is really a compliment, but that's what it is lol)

@micahdude8235

2y↑2

@@melaniebrueggemann5637 yeah I think your right. I looked up pug nose and it’s a description of a nose with the end tilted more up than down. It’s likely a compliment but an odd one at that. Depending on the guy, most think it’s cute.