With My Eyes Wide Open, I'm Dreaming

"With My Eyes Wide Open, I'm Dreaming"
Song by Jack Oakie and Dorothy Dell
Published	1934
Composer(s)	Harry Revel
Lyricist(s)	Mack Gordon

"With My Eyes Wide Open, I'm Dreaming" is a popular song. The music was composed by Harry Revel with lyrics by Mack Gordon, and published in 1934. The song was introduced by Jack Oakie and Dorothy Dell in the movie Shoot the Works directed in 1934 by Wesley Ruggles.

Background

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

Patti Page had a number 11 hit with "With My Eyes Wide Open, I'm Dreaming" (Mercury Records #5344)^[1] 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.^[2] 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 number 59.^[3]

"With My Eyes Wide Open, I'm Dreaming" was also sung by Dean Martin in the 1952 film The Stooge. "With My Eyes Wide Open, I'm Dreaming" was sung by Dorothy Dell in the 1934 film 'Shoot the Works.'

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^[4])
• Russ Case and his orchestra (released by MGM Records as catalog number 10644B, with the flip side "Symphony of Spring"^[5])
• 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?"^[6])
• 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"^[7])
• 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^[8] and released by Melotone Records as catalog number 13039,^[9] also [the same or another recording] released by Romeo Records as catalog number 2283,^[10] all with the flip side "Do I Love You?"^[8][9][10])
• Patti Page (recorded on December 3, 1949, released by Mercury Records as catalog number 5344, with the flip side "Oklahoma Blues",^[1] redone in 1959)
• Leo Reisman and his Orchestra (vocal: George Beuler) (1934)

References

1. Mercury Records in the 5000 to 5497 series
2. Gilliland, John. (197X). "Pop Chronicles 1940s Program #23 - All Tracks UNT Digital Library". Digital.library.unt.edu. Retrieved 2021-03-01.
3. Tyler, Don (2008). Music of the Postwar Era. Greenwood Press Westport CT.
4. Al Bowlly discography
5. MGM Records in the 10500 to 10999 series
6. Victor Records in the 24500 to 24999 series
7. Vocalion Records in the 2522 to 2999 series
8. Banner Records in the 33000 to 33490 series
9. Melotone Records in the 13000 to 13457 series
10. Romeo Records in the 2000 to 2547 series