"Oh What a Dream" is a 1954 blues song written by

Chuck Willis Harold "Chuck" Willis (January 31, 1926 – April 10, 1958) was an American blues, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll singer and songwriter. His biggest hits, " C. C. Rider" (1957) and " What Am I Living For" (1958), both reached No.1 on the '' ...

and originally performed by

Ruth Brown Ruth Alston Brown (; January 12, 1928 – November 17, 2006) was an American singer-songwriter and actress, sometimes referred to as the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Queen of R&B". She was noted for bringing a popular music, pop music ...

backed by members of

The Drifters The Drifters are an American pop and R&B/soul vocal group. They were originally formed as a backing group for Clyde McPhatter, formerly the lead tenor of Billy Ward and his Dominoes in 1953. The second group of Drifters, formed in 1959 and ...

(only credited as her ''Rhythmakers''). The single was Brown's fourth number one on the U.S. R&B chart.

Song Background

The song has been described as a torch song with a gospel tint, adding up to a big dose of that R&B balladeering as expressed in the lyrics and Brown's soulful performance:

"Dreamed I held you in my arms
But I'm still waiting for that day to come
Ohh what a dream, what a dream I had last night"Wild Realm Reviews: Ruth Brown
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Cover versions

Patti Page Clara Ann Fowler (November 8, 1927 – January 1, 2013), better known by her stage name Patti Page, was an American singer. Primarily known for Pop music, pop and Country music, country music, she was the top-charting female vocalist and b ...

had an August 1954 single release of the song - as "What a Dream" - which reached #10 pop. * In 1960,

Conway Twitty Harold Lloyd Jenkins (September 1, 1933 – June 5, 1993), better known by his stage name Conway Twitty, was an American singer and songwriter. Initially a part of the 1950s rockabilly scene, Twitty was best known as a country music performer. ...

had a minor pop hit with his version of the song.

References

1954 singles Ruth Brown songs Conway Twitty songs Songs written by Chuck Willis Atlantic Records singles {{1950s-R&B-song-stub