In the late 1940s, Miles Davis organized a nine-person band to record some tracks for Capitol Records. The tracks had a different sound than the be-bop that was dominating jazz at the time, and are credited with helping to launch “cool jazz.” Indeed, several of the sessions, mostly recorded in 1949 and 1950, were compiled for the album Birth of the Cool.
Featuring Gerry Mulligan, Max Raoch and Lee Konitz, among others, perofrming Gil Evans arrangements, this is one of Miles Davis’ many great albums. It is also one of the few to feature a vocal performance, James van Heusen and Edgar DeLange’s “Darn that Dream” (although this track was not added until later printings of the album). The song was also recorded by many others, including Billie Holiday, and is today’s Sunday Song Lyric.
Darn that dream
I dream each night
You say you love me and hold me tight
But when I awake and you’re out of sight
Oh, darn that dreamDarn your lips and darn your eyes
They lift me high above the starry skies [moonlit sky]
Then I tumble out of paradise
Oh, darn that dreamDarn this [that] one track mind of mine
It can’t understand that you don’t care
Just to change the mood I’m in
I’d welcome a nice old nightmareDarn that dream
And bless it too
Without that dream I’d never would have you
But it haunts me and it won’t come true
Oh, darn that dream
UPDATE: I’ve corrected the lyrics to reflect how they are actually sung on “Birth of the Cool,” as oppose to how they were sung by others. Thanks to readers for the corrections.