Samiksha Jaiswal (Editor)

With My Eyes Wide Open, I'm Dreaming

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Published
  
1934

Language
  
English

Writer(s)
  
Composer: Harry Revel Lyricist: Mack Gordon

"With My Eyes Wide Open, I'm Dreaming" is a popular song.

Contents

Background

It was written by Harry Revel (musicwriter) and Mack Gordon (lyricist), and published in 1934. The song was introduced by Jack Oakie and Dorothy Dell in the movie Shoot the Works.

The first versions to make the charts were in 1934 when Leo Reisman's version reached #3 and Isham Jones's version reached #11. That same year the song was recorded by Ruth Etting.

Patti Page had a #11 hit with "With My Eyes Wide Open, I'm Dreaming" (Mercury Records #5344) in 1950. Having previously recorded both vocal parts on the duet "Confess", Page had been intrigued by the possibility of using overdubbing techniques to record as a "one-woman quartet"; when Mercury a&r director Mitch Miller received Page's suggestion skeptically the singer prepped a demo showcasing her multi-tracked vocals which drew Millers' consent to have Page record "With My Eyes Wide Open..." in this manner. Recorded in a 3 December 1949 session in New York City with Jack Rael conducting his orchestra, "With My Eyes Wide Open..." became Page's first million-seller and established her trademark vocal sound. Page re-recorded "With My Eyes Wide Open..." - with what was considered a "rock and roll" arrangement - in an 11 May 1959 session in New York City: this version reached #59.

"With My Eyes Wide Open, I'm Dreaming" was also sung by Dean Martin in the 1952 film The Stooge.

Recorded versions

  • Mandy Barnett (1999)
  • Pat Boone (1965)
  • Al Bowlly with Lew Stone and his Band (recorded August 1, 1934, released by UK Decca Records as catalog number F-5152)
  • Russ Case and his orchestra (released by MGM Records as catalog number 10644B, with the flip side "Symphony of Spring")
  • Natalie Cole (1999)
  • Ray Conniff (1964)
  • the Four Lads (1965)
  • Dolores Gray (1950)
  • The Ink Spots (1950)
  • Isham Jones and his Orchestra (vocal: Joe Martin) (recorded May 10, 1934, released by Victor Records as catalog number 24643, with the flip side "Do I Love You?")
  • Gene Kardos and his orchestra (recorded May 15, 1934, released by Vocalion Records as catalog number 2722, with the flip side "All I Do Is Dream of You")
  • Greta Keller (recorded June 2, 1934)
  • Dean Martin (recorded November 20, 1952, released January 12, 1953 on album Dean Martin Sings)
  • Will Osborne and his orchestra (recorded May 17, 1934, released by Banner Records as catalog number 33075 and released by Melotone Records as catalog number 13039, also [the same or another recording] released by Romeo Records as catalog number 2283, all with the flip side "Do I Love You?")
  • Patti Page (recorded on December 3, 1950, released by Mercury Records as catalog number 5344, with the flip side "Oklahoma Blues", redone in 1959)
  • Leo Reisman and his Orchestra (vocal: George Bueler) (1934)

    • References

    With My Eyes Wide Open, I'm Dreaming Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA