This Song of the Week is an instrumental version of “I’ll See You in My Dreams,” played by Chet Atkins and Merle Travis. I’m not going to say much about them. I assume that anyone who is drawn to this post already knows who they are. For those who don’t, I’m afraid that I would need a whole lot more space than this to even try to do these men justice.
Let me briefly explain how I came to choose the song, though. After mentioning guitarists like Mark Knopfler and Chitarrista Misterioso in last week’s post, I spent some time listening to some of Knopfler’s recordings and I came across a video of him playing “I’ll See You in My Dreams” with Chet Atkins. That reminded me of a version I had heard a long time ago played by Atkins and Merle Travis.
That made me think that it would be nice to write about one of the songs written by Merle, like “Dark as a Dungeon” or “Sixteen Tons.” However, I listened again to Merle and Chet playing “I’ll See You in My Dreams” and decided it sounds so downright pleasant that I should post it here.
For those of you who are into musical history, you know that Merle Travis and Chet Atkins have influenced the way the guitar is played and understood in country music, and ultimately rock music, more than anyone else you can name. This duet is a good example of why that is.
As for the song, the tune of “I’ll See You in My Dreams” was written by a band leader named Isham Jones in 1924. It was on the charts for four months back then, and was the Number One song in the country for seven weeks. In the years since, it has been recorded by the likes of Al Jolson, Doris Day, Jerry Lee Lewis, Andy Williams, Bob Wills and many others; and has been featured in several motion pictures. The version below is probably one of the best.
I’ll See You in My Dreams
By Isham Jones and Gus Kahn
I’ll see you again tonight
I’ll hold you again tonight
I’ll see you in my dreams
(I’ll see you tonight)
Hold you in my dreams
(I’ll hold you tonight)
Someone took you out of my arms
Still I feel the thrill of your charms
Lips that once were mine
Tender eyes that shine
They will light my way tonight
I’ll see you in my dreams
Someone took you out of my arms
Still I feel the thrill of your charm
(Lips that once were mine)
Tender eyes that shine
They will light my way tonight
I’ll see you in my dreams
(I’ll see you, I’ll hold you tonight in my dreams)
© EMI MUSIC PUBLISHING, WARNER/CHAPPELL MUSIC, INC.
Louis, did you know that we went to high school with Chet Atkin’s sister Leigh? Chet’s father lived in Arvada in those days. Leigh and I were paired up in Harry Parrat’s drama class for an assignment and we selected the court room scene between Atticus Finch and Mayella Ewell to perform. While rehearsing the scene with Leigh at her house Chet came to visit her father. There was a music room in the basement of their home, and Leigh said that when Chet visited he and her father would play guitar down there all night long. An interesting note: Leigh said her father could play better than Chet could! A mind-blowing bit of information considering that Chet Atkins is held to be one of the greatest guitarists who ever lived.
I remember Leigh Atkins, though I did not know she was related to Chet. I did some biographical research before I wrote this post and I learned that Chet Atkins was born in 1924 – much older than you or me – and was the youngest of four children. His parents divorced when he was six years old. I also learned that he was in Denver playing with a group called the Colorado Mountain Boys when RCA signed him to a recording contract in 1947. I didn’t think much about why he happened to come to Colorado away from his roots in the South. Now I am speculating that his father was living out here and starting a second family, and Chet was here because of his father; and Leigh was his half-sister. Who knew? (You did apparently, but not me)
I do have the greatest respect for those with musical ability. I know I have written songs and done them for musically talented friends. Recalling that George Burns always told the band to play “in my key,” I have asked what key I was singing in. Usually, the answer has been, “most of them.”
People ask me what instrument I play and I say, “The radio.”
I do admire you folks who have so much more musical talent than I have.
Beautiful. When I hear guitarists like this, I want to sell my guitar cuz I could only play this well in my dreams. I’m reminded of two quotes, one spoken to an accomplished musician, “I;d give my life to play like you”. Musician, “I did”, the other is a question for a muscian, “how do you get to Carnegie Hall?”, response “Practice, Practice, Practice.” Thanks for sharing this very pleasant rendition.
I’m glad you liked it.