A Kiss to Build a Dream On

Sy Oliver's Orchestra, Louis Armstrong

About A Kiss to Build a Dream On

"A Kiss to Build a Dream On" is a song composed by Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby and Oscar Hammerstein II. In 1935, Kalmar and Ruby wrote a song called "Moonlight on the Meadow" for the Marx Brothers film A Night at the Opera (1935) but the song was not used. Hammerstein later adapted the lyrics to be "A Kiss to Build a Dream On" and it was recorded by Louis Armstrong in 1951. It was also performed by Armstrong as well as by Mickey Rooney with William Demarest, by Sally Forrest, and by Kay Brown (virtually the entire cast performed part or all of the song) in the 1951 film "The Strip," and was a sort of recurring theme in the film. The song was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1951 but lost out to “In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening”. 


Year:
2006
3:01
56 

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

Give me a kiss to build a dream on
And my imagination will thrive upon that kiss
Sweetheart, I ask no more than this
A kiss to build a dream on

Give me a kiss before you leave me
And my imagination will feed my hungry heart
Leave me one thing before we part
A kiss to build a dream on

And when I'm alone with my fancies, I'll be with you
Weaving romances, making believe they're true

Oh, give me your lips for just a moment
And my imagination will make that moment live
Give me what you alone can give
A kiss to build a dream on

When I'm alone with my fancies, I'll be with you
Weaving romances, making believe they're true

Oh, give me lips for just a moment
And my imagination will make that moment live
Oh, give me what you alone can give
A kiss to build a dream on

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana. more »

15 fans

Written by: Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby, Oscar Hammerstein

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

General Overview
"A Kiss to Build a Dream On" is a song composed by Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby, and Oscar Hammerstein II in 1935.
Origin
The music was written by Kalmar and Ruby, while Hammerstein contributed the lyrics.
Louis Armstrong
Armstrong’s rendition of "A Kiss to Build a Dream On" became hugely popular. He recorded it in 1951 and it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2005.
Cover Versions
Many artists have covered the song, including Rod Stewart and Tony Bennett, indicating its enduring popularity.
In the Movies
This song was famously used in the opening credits of the 1951 movie, "The Strip," where Armstrong himself performed it.
In the Video Games
The song was also featured in the video game Fallout 2 and its soundtrack.
Armstrong’s Singing Style
Armstrong is famous for his jazz music and trumpet playing, but he also had a unique signing style. His gravelly singing voice added a unique touch to "A Kiss to Build a Dream On," helping it to stand out.
Jazz Influence
The song is a prime example of Armstrong’s ability to blend jazz and pop music, contributing to its widespread appeal.
Song's Theme
The lyrics speak about finding love and holding onto those moments as treasures that you build your dreams upon. It's a romantic ballad loved by many.
Delayed Recognition
Despite being written in the mid-30s, the song did not gain notoriety until Armstrong's rendition in the early 50s, almost two decades after it was composed.

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