"I Have Dreamed" is a

show tune A show tune is a song originally written as part of the score of a work of musical theatre or musical film, especially if the piece in question has become a standard, more or less detached in most people's minds from the original context. T ...

from the

1951 Events January * January 4 – Korean War: Third Battle of Seoul – Chinese and North Korean forces capture Seoul for the second time (having lost the Second Battle of Seoul in September 1950). * January 9 – The Government of the United ...

Rodgers and Hammerstein Rodgers and Hammerstein was a theater-writing team of composer Richard Rodgers (1902–1979) and lyricist-dramatist Oscar Hammerstein II (1895–1960), who together created a series of innovative and influential American musicals. Their popular ...

musical Musical is the adjective of music. Musical may also refer to: * Musical theatre, a performance art that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance * Musical film Musical film is a film genre in which songs by the characters are interwo ...

, ''

The King and I ''The King and I'' is the fifth musical by the team of Rodgers and Hammerstein. It is based on Margaret Landon's novel '' Anna and the King of Siam'' (1944), which is in turn derived from the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, governess to the chil ...

''. In the original Broadway production it was sung by

Doretta Morrow Doretta Morrow (January 27, 1927 – February 28, 1968) was an American actress, singer and dancer who appeared in stage and television productions during the 1940s and 1950s. She is best remembered for having created roles in the original pro ...

and Larry Douglas. It has since become a standard, with many artists recording the song.

Background

In the show, the characters of Lun Tha and Tuptim sing of how they have dreamt of their true love blossoming in freedom, as they prepare to escape from the King's palace. This is in contrast to the subdued mood of the song "

We Kiss in a Shadow "We Kiss in a Shadow" is a show tune from the 1951 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, ''The King and I''. In this song, Tuptim and Lun Tha declare their love for each other, even though they fear that the King of Siam will learn of it. In the ori ...

", when they fear that the King will learn of their love. "I Have Dreamed" was added to the score of ''The King and I'' during its out-of-town tryout run. The song was recorded for the soundtrack of the 1956 film version of ''The King and I'', but, ultimately, no footage was shot to feature it. Only the melody is heard in the film, as incidental music prior to the "We Kiss in a Shadow" sequence. However, "I Have Dreamed" was retained on the soundtrack album where it was sung by Reuben Fuentes and Leona Gordon.

Controversy

The tune has been accused of similarities to

Alfred Newman Alfred Newman (March 17, 1900 – February 17, 1970) was an American composer, arranger, and conductor of film music. From his start as a music prodigy, he came to be regarded as a respected figure in the history of film music. He won nine Aca ...

's track, "The Hill of the Brilliant Green Jade", from the 1944 film ''

The Keys of the Kingdom ''The Keys of the Kingdom'' is a 1941 novel by A. J. Cronin. Spanning six decades, it tells the story of Father Francis Chisholm, an unconventional Scottish Catholic priest who struggles to establish a mission in China. Beset by tragedy in h ...

'' starring

Gregory Peck Eldred Gregory Peck (April 5, 1916 – June 12, 2003) was an American actor and one of the most popular film stars from the 1940s to the 1970s. In 1999, the American Film Institute named Peck the 12th-greatest male star of Classic Hollywood ...

, though only seven notes are the same.

Recorded versions

Ronnie Aldrich Ronald Frank Aldrich (15 February 1916 – 30 September 1993) was a British easy listening and jazz pianist, arranger, conductor and composer. Early life He was born Ronald Frank Aldrich on 15 February 1916 in Erith, England, the only son o ...

* Thomas Allen *

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(1994) - ''Broadway: The Music of Richard Rodgers'' *

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and Martin Vidnovic for the 1977 Broadway revival recording of The King and I * Jane Ira Bloom (2005) - ''

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'' *

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with

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(1992) for the 1992 Hollywood Bowl studio cast recording of The King and I * David Burnham with Tracy Venner Warren (1999) for the 1999 Richard Rich studio animation of The King and I *

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had a ( ''Billboard'' Hot 100 hit in 1965, where it peaked at #91, and #22 on the Easy Listening chart; ''

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'' said of it that "the Rodgers-Hammerstein tune is beautifully revived with this smooth vocal with strong dance beat backing.") *

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* Sammy Davis Jr. *

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(Richard Rodgers identified hers as the most beautiful rendition he had ever heard) *

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* Connie Evingson *

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covered this song on his 1964 RCA Victor album ''The Exciting Voice of Sergio Franchi'' *

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* David Friesen *

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* Dick Johnson *

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recorded for her 1967 album ''The Love Album'' on MGM Records *

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* Nancy Lamott * Julius LaRosa *

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* Jason Manford on his 2017 album '' A Different Stage'' * Mantovani *

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* Howard McGillin * Dave McKenna *

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Orchestra * Patina Miller * Matt Monro *

with Larry Douglas for the original Broadway cast recording * Patrice Munsel *

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(recorded 1972) *

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* Marc Shaiman - arranged for the film ''

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'' *

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* David Silverman *Kaz Simmons – Take Me Home (2005) *

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- ''

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'' (1963) *

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- recorded in 1985 as part of a '' King and I'' medley that incorporates elements of “We Kiss In a Shadow” and concludes with “Something Wonderful.” *

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(1996) - ''Something Wonderful: Bryn Terfel sings

'' * Scott Walker * Gerald Wiggins *

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* Matthew Morrison and Laura Michelle Kelly

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:I Have Dreamed Songs about dreams 1951 songs 1969 singles Songs with music by Richard Rodgers Songs with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II Barbra Streisand songs Chad & Jeremy songs The Lettermen songs Scott Walker (singer) songs Andy Williams songs Songs from The King and I Capitol Records singles Columbia Records singles