"Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)" is a song written by Cindy Walker which was first recorded and released by Roy Orbison originally as a non-album single in 1962. It was a big international hit for Orbison, reaching number 2 in both the Australian and the UK singles charts and number 4 in the U.S. Billboard. It was also a top ten hit in Canada and Norway. Five months later, "Dream Baby" was included on Orbison's Greatest Hits compilation LP. Chart history Weekly charts Chart (1962)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)2Canada RPM Top Singles8Netherlands 9New Zealand (Lever)Flavour of New Zealand, 3 May 19626Norway VG-lista5UK Singles Chart (OCC) 2US Billboard Hot 100Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - 4US Cash Box Top 100Cash Box Top 100 Singles, March 31, 19629 Year-end charts Chart (1962)RankUS Billboard Hot 100Musicoutfitters.com65
Personnel Musicians: Roy Orbison - vocal Fred Carter, Jr. - rhythm guitar Grady Martin - electric guitar Bob Moore - double bass Buddy Harman - drums Boots Randolph - saxophone unknown - piano
Glen Campbell version
American country music artist Glen Campbell covered "Dream Baby" in 1971. It was released in March of that year as the lead single from his album The Last Time I Saw Her. The song peaked at number 7 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. It also reached number 4 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada.
Chart (1971)PeakpositionU.S. Billboard Easy Listening2Canadian RPM Country Tracks4Canadian RPM Top Singles20Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary6New Zealand (Listener)https://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20listener&qartistid=721#n_view_location search Listener17UK Singles Chart39
Lacy J. Dalton cover A 1983 cover by American country music artist Lacy J. Dalton peaked at number 9 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.
Chart (1983)PeakpositionCanadian RPM Country Tracks10
Other cover versions The Beatles performed the song in front of a live studio audience on 7 March 1962 for the BBC radio programme Teenager's Turn, which was broadcast the following day. This was the Beatles' first ever BBC radio session. It has never been officially issued.
"Dream Baby" was also covered by Del Shannon in 1963, Jerry Lee Lewis in 1967 and also by Waylon Jennings. Perry Como on his 1971 I Think of You.
In 1995, Hootie & the Blowfish recorded their version for the movie soundtrack of White Man's Burden.
References