Do You Ever Dream of Me?

words & music by Doug Howell • © 2022 Creative Measures LLC

When I lay me down to sleep
And pray the Lord my soul to keep
I often think of you and weep
And wonder what your dreams could be
And if you ever dream of me

You must dream of pretty things
Of starry skies on golden wings
And songs that only angels sing
And you must dream how love could be
But do you ever dream of me?

I’ve always been a bit naive
But I guess it’s foolish to believe
That just because you haunt my dreams
I’d be the one you close your eyes to see

(Instrumental)

And in my dreams you’ll always be
But will you ever dream of me?
Tell me, do you ever dream of me?

Reviews

Song is perfect and so is the voice. Dreams do come true sometimes! —Judy G.

Love this ❤️ —Rachel R. B.

Silky smooth adult contemporary listen that totally commands the listeners ears. Love the lead vocals here. Awesome winds and strings. Subtle. Welcoming. Honestly, an incredibly immersive and romantic listen that doesn’t feel right for my playlists BUT I appreciate none the less. Keep it up! —Music on the Moon (Spotify playlister)

Doug, that was absolutely beautiful!! Thank you!! —Sharon O. M.

It’s really good. Will resonate with all who listen. Thank you —Christeen C. H.

Really nice. I have to kinda’ laugh, though, speaking of crushes. A friend and I were both crushing on YOU..and we’d lay on the floor, listening to your LP…and if the lyrics were in any way possible to interpret as “romantic” we’d cry and think “maybe he means me.” LOL —Katie C.

I love it, you’re still one of my all time favorites! —Deb B.

Beautiful melody and arrangement Doug. I’d be surprised if there was anyone who cannot relate to the question you pose. I just can’t imagine the pain of having to remain silent. ❤️ —Kurt S.

It took me a while to listen to this one… There are two or three people in my life that I still dream of… and the tears start rolling at the fool I was to lose them either through silence or indifference. Thank you for singing what’s in your heart, Doug!! —Randy C.

Romantic ballad, soulful voice, dreamy horn arrangements, well done —Songpickr

Thank you, Doug!!! Thank you for validating us all in the LGBTQ1 “tribe”…especially those of us who are now “senior” members… I’m 73! …and the crowning moment…. your music!!! —Stephen V.

Vintage…Doug. Thoughtful, ALWAYS melodic, and simply a lyrical paean to love. As I listen, it occurs to me what a satisfaction it must be to finally get a chance to record all the songs you had to write and tuck away (of course I know that feeling!). But no more! …lovely in every sense of the word Doug. Please keep sending them!  ps: Mr. Kieme is such an amazing player. He shines on [this]! —David B.

2021 Notes

When I was young, I had just as many crushes as the other guys did—I just couldn’t tell anyone about them. That’s because my crushes were on other guys. Thank God for the second person singular. Thank God for “you”!

Summer 1973: I handed him his golf ball, which had landed at my feet as I worked my summer job, placing a sprinkler just below the green. I looked up and saw the face of an angel, surrounded by a glowing cloud of yellow hair. I’ve never forgotten him. And now, finally, I can tell the world.

My mom gave me a little pamphlet to read when I was in high school that explained how many boys develop crushes on other boys as they grow up, and how that it is considered perfectly normal. Looking back now, I see that she must’ve been very aware of who I was thinking about and what I was feeling day by day, even though I don’t remember expressing it as such. She must’ve seen the sketch I did of my then best friend. Did I show it to her? And there must’ve been a thousand other little things she noticed.

Of course, the pamphlet author said that all this is usually just a phase… Think it’s pretty clear by now that it’s not a phase I’m going to grow out of. Or pray myself out of, or counsel my way out of (more about that in a couple months). And as I troll through the old songbook and remember this particular moment again, I’m so thankful for the memory—for all the memories, even the ones that confused me at the time. They’re all part of the first person singular life God gave me.

There’s so much more I could say, but I think I’ll just leave it there for now. Here’s my Valentine’s Day offering to you. You. Second person singular. Thank God for you—you who listen with an open mind and a willing heart. And hope this reminds you of whatever second person singular you’re dreaming of…

Music Notes

I asked my very talented sax-playing colleague, Mark Kieme, to conjure some of his magic on this one, and he agreed! I sent him a chart, and what I envisioned as the soprano part. And, just like weʻd done in “House on the Ocean” awhile back, I asked him if he’d do a track of ad lib. That had worked great back then, and I ended up using bits of both tracks in the final mix.

This time it worked even better, you might say. I was surprised by how beautiful the parts sounded together, the written one plus the ad lib one, and I ended up using most of both parts! I love the interplay, and of course, he delivers both with such feeling. Thank you, Mark, for adding the perfect notes to make this long-ago memory even more magical.

About the image: It’s from Shutterstock as usual, and I tried to choose one that reminded me of the original subject of the song. I think I came pretty close. Maybe it will help you understand why I thought he was an angel.