“Dream a Little Dream of Me” is an old jazz standard with lyrics written by Gus Kahn and music composed by Fabian Andre and Wilber Schwandt. It was first recorded in 1930 with the melody played on a banjo. Schwandt recalled that the song was written during a 10-minute break at a gig in Paw Paw, Michigan, although Kahn claimed credit.
The song enjoyed its greatest chart success in 1968 when it was covered by Cass Elliot with The Mamas & the Papas and followed the same year by a recording by Anita Harris. Harris’ version was a hit, reaching #46 on the UK Singles Chart in the week that the original Cass version peaked at #21. Both versions were re-released as part of the same album in 1973 with both singles failing to reach the Top 30.
The track features a piano accompaniment by Jimmy McGriff and an orchestral arrangement by Billy Mayhew. It is recorded in a medium tempo of 79 beats per minute and is sung in the key of A major. It was recorded at Olympic Studios in London, England and produced by Mike Margolis with Alan Tew as musical director.
It was used as the theme song for the BBC drama series Grumpier Old Men, a show that ran for 77 episodes from 1985 to 1990. It was also used in the 2009 film Leap Year, and as the background music for a scene in the 2010 Jude Law movie Repo Men. It was sung by Zooey Deschanel during a 2007 performance at fashion designer Erin Fetherston’s show. It was also featured in a 2011 episode of the ABC soap opera All My Children. ella fitzgerald dream a little dream of me