Image via WikipediaStephen Foster was America's first real star composer of pop songs back in the mid-19th century. He wrote songs that we've all heard and probably know the words to. The quaintness of his songs hearken back to a time that often seems idyllic to us--the stuff of dreams if you will.
My song choice today is a version of Foster's "Beautiful Dreamer" as performed my Roy Orbison, who is known for singing a few fine dream themed songs with his dreamy sounding voice.
Although immensely popular as a songwriter in his day, Foster died impoverished in a charity ward of a New York hospital. "Beautiful Dreamer" was published after his death.
If you're not familiar with Stephen Foster and his story, there are some fine books and documentaries that are worth exploring. He is a true American pop icon whose star has faded in our time.
Good F word Lee. I remember playing Beautiful Dreamer on the piano in my younger day.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Great song choice and it is sad that his song would be a hit after his death.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely dreamy.
ReplyDeleteGreat F post! I remember playing this on the piano when I was younger too. Very dreamy song.
ReplyDeleteSad that he died so impoverished, given how popular his music has become! I recall learning Beautiful Dreamer as well, during singing lessons. What a great song!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the Challenge.
Shannon
Interesting post and I can see that you keep an interesting blog by the subject matter. I will enjoy catching up on the reading!
ReplyDeleteI stopped by as part of the A - Z thing and will be back.
Charlie
http://semiretiredgamer.blogspot.com
I think Stephen Foster's music was much more popular when I was younger, but now it's been mostly left behind by newer generations of music listeners. Thanks for visiting.
ReplyDeleteLee
BOIDMAN ~
ReplyDeleteFoster's 'Beautiful Dreamer' obviously works perfectly with the theme you've established here.
But I was thinking that had you wanted to, you probably could have used the word "FOCUS" not just on 'Tossing It Out' but here as well.
My knowledge of the band Focus is very limited but I'll bet they might well have recorded some "dreamy" song, especially considering the type of group they were.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
We homeschool and studied Stephen Foster a bit. Love the song, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Kelly Stilwell
www.kellystilwel.com
StMc -- Focus probably could have worked, but I'm not so familiar with their music.
ReplyDeleteKelly -- When I was a kid in the 50s and early 60s, Foster's music was very popular in schools and everywhere for that matter. He was pretty much a household name. Not so much now.
Lee