Old jazz standards make great lullabies because the lyrics were written in an innocent time and don’t contain any explicit content. This recording from the first Ella and Louis album features one such tune.
The song was first recorded in 1968 by Cass Elliot with the Mamas and Papas, followed a year later by an Anita Harris single. Many other recordings followed, including ones by the Mills Brothers, Sylvie Vartan, Henry Mancini, Anne Murray and Erasure.
Lyrics
The lyrics to Ella Fitzgerald’s “Dream a Little Dream of Me” embody the timeless sentiment that happiness is an inside job. This cherished quote encourages individuals to embrace their inner joy and pursue their true passions with unwavering resolve. In doing so, they can overcome any adversity and achieve lasting success in their chosen endeavors.
Ella Fitzgerald used her musical talent to transcend her humble beginnings and societal limitations. Her jazz interpretations captivated audiences around the world and shattered racial barriers. Through her music, she inspired millions of people and empowered them to strive for their dreams.
Ella Fitzgerald’s quote, “The only thing better than singing is more singing,” captures the insatiable love and passion she had for her craft. This enduring quote encourages individuals to relentlessly pursue their dreams and harness their natural talents, as they can lead to unparalleled fulfillment and joy.
Music
A young Ella Fitzgerald won a talent contest at Harlem’s Apollo Theater, but instead of dancing, she sang. She captivated the audience and went on to become the first lady of jazz.
She lived with her mother Tempie and her stepfather Joe in Yonkers, New York. The family struggled to make ends meet. Joe dug ditches, and Tempie worked at the local laundromat. Ella sang to earn money, and she learned scat singing, which would be an integral part of her style.
In her later years, Ella Fitzgerald battled illness and fought to stay on the stage, even when friends warned her she was damaging her voice. She was a tireless performer, often playing two shows a day in cities hundreds of miles apart. Her performances were packed to the brim with fans from all backgrounds who shared one binding factor: they loved her. This title is from the Little People, BIG DREAMS series that celebrates famous people and their achievements.
Video
The song was used as the theme for a TV show called All My Children, and its version by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong was featured in the film version of the same name. It was also used in the 1989 Hallmark movie The Lost Valentine, and in the Jim Henson movies Grumpier Old Men and Beautiful Thing.
Robbie Williams recorded a cover of the song on his tenth studio album and second swing album Swings Both Ways (2013). He was joined by singer Lily Allen on the track, but she was omitted from the single.
The release of the Mama Cass recording prompted Anita Harris to record a version in a similar style on her album Into the Blue. The single reached #2 on the UK chart while Harris’ album peaked at #15. Many other artists have recorded this classic standard, including a first recording by Ozzie Nelson, Doris Day and Joni James, as well as more recent recordings from Henry Mancini, Erasure, Michael Bublé, the cast of Glee, and Italian vocal group Blue Penguin.
Performance
In this performance from the Ed Sullivan Show in 1968, Ella Fitzgerald showcases her vocal jazz skills. She improvises over the melody and lyrics, as she would do throughout her career. Fitzgerald was an early proponent of scat singing, which uses voiced consonants and vowels as another horn in the band.
After leaving Verve, Fitzgerald recorded albums such as Brighten the Corner, an album of hymns, Ella Fitzgerald’s Christmas, a traditional holiday album, and Misty Blue, a country and western-influenced album that fulfilled her contractual obligations to the label.
She also collaborated with Duke Ellington, recording live albums such as Duke and Ella at the Cote d’Azur and The Stockholm Concert. This collaboration was the genesis of a musical relationship that would last for 30 years. Contemporary artists like Dianne Reeves and Annie Ross evoke Fitzgerald’s relaxed humor and genius timing in their recordings. Even The Mamas & the Papas’ version of the song carries a touch of Fitzgerald’s phrasing.ella fitzgerald dream a little dream of me