Dream Weavers Trivia Quiz

Answer: Gary Wright

"Dream Weaver" may have been inspired by John Lennon's song "God"(1971). It is sometimes referred as the first 'synthpop' hit song using synthesized instruments except for percussion.

Gary Wrights biggest hits have been "Dream Weaver" and "Love Is Alive" also 1976. Wright has 13 albums to his credit over his 49+ years career. He has been active with such groups as Spooky Tooth and more recently with Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band.

"Dream Weaver" partial lyrics:

"I have just closed my eyes again
Climbed aboard the Dream Weaver train
Driver take away my worries of today
And leave tomorrow behind
Dream Weaver, I believe you can get me through the night
Dream Weaver, I believe we can reach the morning light"

Answer: Everly Brothers

"All I Have to Do Is Dream" rocketed to number one on the charts within a few weeks in 1958 and made stars of Don and Phil Everly. There followed "Cathy's Clown"(1960) and "Bird Dog"(1958). During their career they had 40 singles on the top 100. They were one of the first inductee in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

"All I Have to Do Is Dream" lyrics:

"Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream
Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream
When I want you in my arms
When I want you and all your charms
Whenever I want you, all I have to do is
Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream".

Answer: Stephen Foster

Stephen Foster was perhaps the most popular song writer of his time. Many of his songs are American classics such as "Oh! Susanna", "Camptown Races", "Old Folks at Home", "My Old Kentucky Home", and "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair". It has been alleged that "Beautiful Dreamer" was found in a portfolio of unpublished songs after his death. He died at 37 of tuberculous.

"Beautiful Dreamer" lyrics:

"Beautiful dreamer, wake unto me,
Starlight and dewdrops are waiting for thee;
Sounds of the rude world, heard in the day,
Lull'd by the moonlight have all pass'd away!
Beautiful dreamer, queen of my song,
List while I woo thee with soft melody;
Gone are the cares of life's busy throng,
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!"

Answer: Moulin Rouge

"Boulevard of Broken Dreams" was sung in "Moulin Rouge" by Constance Bennett who never recorded it. Early recording were by Ted Weems and Jan Garber bands. The song is not related to Green Day's later song with the same title nor is "Moulin Rouge" related to subsequent films with the same title. The song, however, has been recorded by a host of artists such as Bing Crosby, Connee Boswell, Diana Krall, and Tony Bennett.

Lyrics: "Boulevard of Broken Dreams":

"I walk along the street of sorrow
The boulevard of broken dreams
Where gigolo and gigolette
Can take a kiss without regret
So they forget their broken dreams"

Answer: California

The song is a fantasy about escaping the doldrums of winter and being in sunny California. The Mamas and Papas recorded and released it in late 1965 and it peaked as number four on the charts and stayed for seventeen weeks. It was a break-through recording for the group.

"California Dreamin'" lyrics:

"All the leaves are brown and the sky is gray
I've been for a walk on a winter's day
I'd be safe and warm if I was in L.A.
California dreamin' on such a winter's day

Stopped in to a church I passed along the way
Well I got down on my knees and I pretend to pray
You know the preacher likes the cold
He knows I'm gonna stay
California dreamin' on such a winter's day"

Answer: Cass Elliot

Cass Elliot recorded "Dream a Little Dream of Me" at the time when The Mama's and Papa's were breaking up. Most consider it a launch of Elliot's solo career but some considered it the finale to the Mamas and Papas. Cass thought the song was corny and campy but when she treated as if it was a brand new song, things fell in to place,

The Gus Kahn song was first recorded in 1931 by Ozzie Nelson, Wayne King, and the Dorsey Brothers within a ten day period. But no one carried it to the heights as much as Cass Eliot.

"Dream a Little Dream of Me" lyrics:

"Stars shining bright above you;
Night breezes seem to whisper I love you?
Birds singing in the sycamore tree.
Dream a little dream of me.

Say nighty-night and kiss me;
Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me.
While I'm alone, blue as can be,
Dream a little dream of me."

Answer: Harry James

With Artie Shaw she shared the stage with Billy Holiday and demanded equal stage for Billy. During this period she made 32 recordings with the Shaw band including "They Say" and "All the Things You Are".

When Shaw disbanded in 1939, she joined the Benny Goodman Band. She made 55 recording there but left as she felt that Goodman was too demanding and a perfectionist and was "giving her a nervous breakdown" and her role as singer was diminished.

With Harry James, she clicked. In her most productive period she recorded "Skylark","I Had the Craziest Dream", in 1942, and "I Don't Want to Walk Without You". "Downbeat Magazine" voted her the top female vocalist in 1942 and 1943. It is alleged that James and Forrest had an affair that ended when James married Betty Grable.

The Big Band Era ended after World War Two and the audience was gone by the early 1950s. Helen's single career yielded over 500 recordings.

"I Had the Craziest Dream" Lyrics:

"I had the craziest dream last night, yes I did.
I never dreamt it could be
Yet there you were, in love with me.
I found your lips close to mine so I kissed you
And you didn't mind it at all.
When I'm awake such a break never happens.
How long can a gal go on dreaming?"

Answer: Bobby Darin

Bobby Darin did not fear genres as he proved himself to adept in pop, rock, jazz, folk, and country. His first hit did not occur until his ninth single "Splish Splash"(1959), then "Dream Lover" and in 1960, my favorite, "Beyond the Sea". His music lead him to film where he was nominated for an Academy Award for his supporting performance in "Captain Newman MD"(1963) Neil Sedaka plays the piano on the recording of "Dream Lover".

His poor health took his life at age 37.

"Dream Lover" lyrics:

"Every night I hope and pray
A dream lover will come my way
A girl to hold in my arms
And know the magic of her charms
'cause I want
A girl
To call
My own
I want a dream lover so I don't have to dream alone."

Answer: Believer

The Monkees were four young men hired to play a sitcom rock band. It was an obvious attempt to capitalize on the popularity of the Beatles. The producers were not sure of the musical ability of the group so in early appearances they did not play but had a backup band. As the show developed some popularity, the Monkees became to feel manipulated and wanted more independence. Seeing trouble ahead, the producers created the cartoon group The Archies so that they did not have to deal with live people and had absolute control.

However, the recordings did quite well. "Daydream Believer" along with
"Last Train to Clarksville", "I'm a Believer", "Pleasant Valley Sunday" were international hits. During the peak of their popularity they outsold the Beatles.

John Stewart of the Kingston Trio wrote "Daydream Believer".

"Daydream Believer" lyrics:

"You once thought of me
As a white knight on a steed.
Now you know how happy I can be.
Oh, and our good times starts and end
Without dollar one to spend.
But how much, baby, do we really need.

Cheer up, Sleepy Jean.
Oh, what can it mean.
To a daydream believer
And a homecoming queen.
Cheer up, Sleepy Jean.
Oh, what can it mean.
To a daydream believer
And a homecoming queen".

Answer: Joe Brown

Joe Brown made his entrance into show business in 1959 and has remained active as a singer, musician, and entertainer.

Gus Kahn wrote "I'll See You in My Dreams" in 1924 and it rose to number one on the charts at the time for seven week. It has been recorded by a wide variety of artists over ninety years--in fact too many to list here. But if you would like to hear a jazz guitar interpretation, check out Django Reinhart 1930s recording from Paris.

"I'll See You in My Dreams" Lyrics:

"Lips that once were mine
Tender eyes that shine
They will light my way tonight
I'll see you in my dreams
They will light my lonely way tonight
I'll...see you in my dreams"