Dream (1944)

Johnny Mercer

"Things never are as bad as they seem
So dream, dream, dream."

Johnny Mercer dashed out this little, lovely tune out as a theme for his radio program. There are many versions of Dream out there, and rightfully so. But the one that stays with my is Roy Orbison's slightly honky-tonk yet hopeless version from 1963.  Why does everything he sing always sound so sad? Orbison's Dream is not to be confused with another of his songs, In Dreams. 

VERSE

Get in touch with that sundown fellow
As he tiptoes across the sand
He's got a million kinds of stardust
Pick your fav'rite brand, and

CHORUS

Dream, when you're feeling blue
Dream, that's the thing to do
Just watch the smoke rings in the air
You'll find your share of memories there

So dream when the day is through
Dream, and they might come true
Things are never as bad as they seem
So dream, dream, dream

Out of Nowhere (1931)

J. Green

"You came to me from out of nowhere. . .

wonderful schemes, wonderful dreams from nowhere . . ."

Now this is the kind of lyric I can really relate to - less so with romance and more so with life in general, the flow and evolution of events that often seem to come from nowhere at all, yet are quite pleasant and wonderful nonetheless. 

VERSE

When I least expected
Kindly fate directed
You to make each dream of mine come true.
And if it's clear or raining
There is no explaining
Things just happen and so did you.

CHORUS

You came to me from out of nowhere,
you took my heart and found it free.
Wonderful dreams, wonderful schemes from nowhere
made every hour sweet as a flower for me.

If you should go back to your nowhere,
leaving me with a memory,
I'll always wait for your return out of nowhere,
hoping you'll bring your love to me.