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Dreams (MJRF)


by

TobinMueller

 Genre: Romantic

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Description
I wrote this song for a musical back in the middle 1990s. It was first recorded by Aaron Paul and submitted to MacJams in 2004 (Dreams) as a rough draft demo with voice and piano. It won the first Macjams song writing contest. (It was the 317th song ever submitted on MJ).

Emily Rohm also recorded a version, posted under the title Dreams II, the 2205th post in 2004.

I then reworked the song as a jazz tune and had my friend Woody Mankowski sing: Dream III (2005). It was a lounge jazz version for piano, bass, drums, vocals. Woody plays sax on several other tunes I've posted here.

This song was first performed on stage in my show CREATURE. Victor Frankenstein's brother, Frederick, sings it over the corpse of his lover moments before Victor brings her (or, at least, parts of her) back to life.
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Lyrics
Dreams.
What are you dreaming?
Do you know I am here, while you sleep?
What do you see when my hands hold you near?
When my breath touches you, can you feel?
Maybe when you awake, you'll know to never fear that I should go away.
You'll know I'm always near, when you awake.
When you awake to me.
When you awake to me, all the world's ache will fall away, like clay, cleaned away.
I'll give you all you need.
Make every dream come true.
All you can take from me. All I can give to you.
When you awake. When you awake to me.
Song Stats
Hits: 1053
Comments: 30
Fans: 34
Plays: 132
Downloads: 46
Votes: 6
Uploaded: Jan 31, 2009 - 09:25:52 AM
Last Updated: Feb 06, 2009 - 01:27:26 PM Last Played: Nov 24, 2009 - 10:56:01 PM
Song License
Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs

Creative Commons

Song Actions
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Hardware:
Layered ROLAND keyboard harps
Software:
Recorded in Digital Performer
Mastered in PEAK
Comments
Skean said 298 days ago (January 31st, 2009)
Dreams
Yes its a beautiful dream, love it.. Thanks for sharing/reposting...Peace
Check out my latest song called Let's Go Trippy
Scott Carmichael said 298 days ago (January 31st, 2009)
your thumbprint
I love the note you choose in the meoldy when you sing while you "SLEEP"... nobody writes like that... but it's so right... you employ all and any tools at your disposal when you paint your pictures...

but I can't see you being the opening act at MJRF
Check out my latest song called Good Morning
TobinMueller said 297 days ago (February 1st, 2009)
thumbprint
Thanks. I wrote this in 45 minutes one night. I wanted to create a melody that morphed from beginning to end, with a specific repeating line, a melody that drifted over a chord progression that changed keys without sounding as if it was shifted its harmonic centered. The background actually repeats once, completely, yet the melody begins at a different spot the second time thru causes different harmonic couplings. Thanks for noticing the little things.
Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)
Moviz said 298 days ago (January 31st, 2009)
Lovely
song beautifully performed. I love the simple (harp? ) backing which is most suitable of course for the subject. As Scott said it's a 'painted picture' (Love the accompanying Art work too), cheers M
Check out my latest song called Come Back Billie
sloparts said 298 days ago (January 31st, 2009)
Wonderful Tobin
Simple in production, but perfect in the way it sounds. Beautiful lyrics and singing my friend.

Ed
Check out my latest song called Just a little Something
thoddi said 298 days ago (January 31st, 2009)
dreamy it is
The opening with the harp sets the mood immediately. Being a software harp, your playing seems to imitate well the rhythmic pattern as if it was played on a real harp. You show how simple an arrangement can be done when each element is skillfully performed and when they are strong enough to stand alone if needed.
KUDOS
Check out my latest song called Don't tell me what I can't w/KTB and Ingve
TobinMueller said 296 days ago (February 2nd, 2009)
Layered harp
Thanks for mentioning the harp. I used three different harps. One had a nice pressure sensitivity that gave different hits a human quality. The levels of each harp vary slightly, also, so that a sense of harmonic change due to different fingering might be communicated. All subtle, so that it didn't sound like that's what I was trying to do. Sometimes my old school Roland hardware is more expressive than the newer software plugins. Also, I played in each harp part one line at a time and layered each line differently, so that lower notes sounded a bit different than higher ones.

Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)
Vic Holman said 298 days ago (January 31st, 2009)
classic
the song stands on it's own even without reference as part of a play.



Check out my latest song called November
thetiler said 298 days ago (January 31st, 2009)
Enjoyed
When i saw the pic I had to immediately get my earphones on and take a listen. What a terrific beginning and nice interplay between the harp sound and the singing!

Thanks for sharing !
Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)
Feter said 298 days ago (January 31st, 2009)
Dreams
Ahh this harp tickle so elegant with a real touch for a dream ..
a superb melody ..passionate vocal ..a true remarkable tune here .
my kind a songs ...I m so happy you posted it ..thanl you so very much
for sharing such gem !!!!
MarkHolbrook said 298 days ago (January 31st, 2009)
Wow...
Simpley gorgeous and well pretty darned amazing!
Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge
Doadars Uncle said 298 days ago (January 31st, 2009)
Moving
Great depth of emotion, here. I love it!
Check out my latest song called Capitalist's Drag
LunaTrick said 298 days ago (January 31st, 2009)
Lovely composition
Exquisite vocals and super backing track!
Check out my latest song called Luna Gypsy Heart II (Eternal Firelight)
paul f. page said 298 days ago (January 31st, 2009)
Lovely...
...in every possible way: lyric, magically simple accompaniment, and such a perfect vocal. Tobin, to me [from what I have heard of your music the past 2 years] this is the most satisfying of all your numbers because of its incredibly gentle quality and the sheer simplicity of the production. All totally unaffected. THIS is a beautiful gift that I will enjoy hearing many times over.
Peace.
Paul
Check out my latest song called Double Etude
TobinMueller said 297 days ago (February 1st, 2009)
Simplicity
Thank you. Yes, I spend too much time entertaining myself with overly complex songs. But I always thought this one was deceptively simple. In my head, it is as complex as any of my other difficult tunes, but I was trying to mask the complexity. I couldn't have written this as a 20 year old, I didn't know enough, or, perhaps, didn't know enough layers of pain and longing. Thanks for enjoying this so much. I, too, think it is one of the best songs I've ever written.
Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)
DWL said 297 days ago (February 1st, 2009)
Classy work Tobin
Then again I would expect nothing less from you :-)

It's always good to know the context of a song and I like the story on this.

Beautifully played and performed.

Cheers

Dick


Diviner said 297 days ago (February 1st, 2009)
What a beautiful track
Very well composed and sung. Lovely song to listen to. Relaxing and rich. Nice one Tobin.
Check out my latest song called Space Program (Space Race 2009)
kassia said 297 days ago (February 1st, 2009)
Tobin
I am SO glad you posted a version of this for the reunion. It has become my new favorite. I have now listened to all versions of this several times. They each have their own unique charms, but I have to say this is my favorite version. Is this you singing? Gorgeous voice, perfect vocals. I love the simple harp accompaniment and I am absolutely fascinated by the construction of the composition. This is a beautiful beautiful song, heart-touching lyrics and just an incredible composition. Thank you again for re-posting this.
Check out my latest song called Deep Majesty
TobinMueller said 296 days ago (February 2nd, 2009)
My vocals
Yes, its me singing. Thanks for liking it. Perhaps it is the nuances a composer lends to his/her own work. Perhaps it is almost more of a visual thing, in that imagining me singing comes across as more authentic or intimate. (I certainly consider Emily and Woody much better singers.) Personally, I love to hear composers like Burt Bacharach, Leonard Cohen and Randy Newman sing their own stuff (altho I also think Randy Newman sings is stuff better than most others). I greatly appreciate you taking the time to listen to the different versions. Its people like you that make MacJams such a rewarding place.
Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)
davisamerica said 296 days ago (February 2nd, 2009)
tobin
just wonderful
Check out my latest song called No Son(egobandit band)
The Orbiting said 296 days ago (February 2nd, 2009)
MJ Classic
Thanks for the reminder of what a lovely, emotional singer you are Tobin. I love the way you can imbue a song with feeling without going over-the-top. I've enjoyed this song each time I've heard it, but this is my favorite version. Emily is a lovely singer and it would be great if she came back for the festival too!
Check out my latest song called Mayday
ted23 said 296 days ago (February 2nd, 2009)
I Like
your voice and it's subtleties moving the tune along. Really impressive stuff!
Nice control.
I can really imagine this on stage as you said. I bet it worked wonderfully
Cheers
Check out my latest song called kooky dance
sschedra said 296 days ago (February 2nd, 2009)
Yes!
...and what a great idea for a musical! I wish I could see (and hear) the whole thing. Tob, you got a gift, its true. Its wonderful to know that there are still musicians able to produce musicals and doing it so beautifully.
Kudos my man,
Stephen
Check out my latest song called Love's Fingers Fall
Ed Hannifin said 295 days ago (February 3rd, 2009)
Among those I know...
,,,who are into show tunes, it sometimes gets forgotten that simple is still a virtue in the show tune realm...Overblown and over the top are overblown and over the top no matter where they show up...

This has wonderful simplicity, sweetness and impact, and you've sung it well... Mind you, stepping into the SETTING of the tune, it becomes bittersweet and takes on a hint of dread...Somebody here's going to be dreadfully disappointed...

Reminds me of some of the sweeter songs in 'Sweeney Todd'...

Ed
Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)
TobinMueller said 295 days ago (February 3rd, 2009)
Nailed
Ed, you nailed so many issues with your comments. Thanks. You know, for years I wrote only for piano and voice, since in the theatre world songs were ALWAYS presented in person with a sing singing and a player playing. If a song couldn't fly as a piano/voice setting, then they figured it couldn't work non matter how good the eventual arrangement/instrumentation. Melody, lyrics.

You are also correct about impending dreadful disappointment. It hangs over the song, the scene, the entire tragedy. Referencing Sweeney Todd was an honor. It is one of the greatest pieces artistic achievements of all time.
Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)
Dadai.2 said 295 days ago (February 3rd, 2009)
no surprise here...
just another well composed and performed song by you Tobin. Kudos.

Jack
Check out my latest song called The Riverside (with Ed sloparts sitting in)
Kicbal said 295 days ago (February 3rd, 2009)
Pretty and Macabre
I'm sure this worked well onstage, as it sounds really nice here. Love the chord changes.
Check out my latest song called Falling Stars Forgotten
SmokeyVW said 288 days ago (February 10th, 2009)
mood is spot on
beautiful lyrics and singing
and a nice simple backing - the harp really works

many thanks
Check out my latest song called One For Me
bug67 said 286 days ago (February 12th, 2009)
Hi
Not really my thing but well crafted none the less. Sounded a little like an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. Vocals were a little hot and came through a bit distorted. Might have been my speakers.
davidsmith99 said 283 days ago (February 15th, 2009)
Dreams
Nicely done Tobin. The lyrics are excellent and very effective;
I immediately get the stage quality and the emotion of the moment

(Happy to just discover this.)
Check out my latest song called Dizzy-ish
Artist Info
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Name: Tobin Mueller
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I am a professional musician, composer, playwright and director. I lead a charmed life. I'm married to fellow MJer Suzanne and MJer Twonicus is my son. See my Spotlight Interview - Tobin Mueller: Talking With Myself in the Macjams Music Blog. You... [see more]

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