Dream Merchant Explained
| Dream Merchant |
| Type: | Single |
| Artist: | New Birth |
| Album: | Blind Baby |
| B-Side: | Why Did I |
| Released: | June 28, 1975 |
| Recorded: | 1975 |
| Length: | 3:20 |
| Label: | Buddah |
| Prev Title: | It's Been a Long Time |
| Prev Year: | 1974 |
| Next Title: | Grandaddy (Part 1) |
| Next Year: | 1975 |
Dream Merchant is a R&B ballad written by Larry Weiss and Jerry Ross.[1] The song was originally recorded by Jerry Butler in 1967 as "Mr. Dream Merchant". The Jerry Butler version reached #23 on the soul chart and #38 on the Hot 100.[2]
Cover versions
- In 1967 Madeline Bell covered "Mr. Dream Merchant" on her first album, Bell's a Poppin.
- Dusty Springfield included a version of the song on her 1968 album Dusty... Definitely.
- In 1975 the song was remade by Louisville, Kentucky-based group New Birth. Their version was the group's only #1 hit on the soul chart and one of three songs to make the top 10 on that chart; it was one of two New Birth entries to hit the Top 40, reaching #36 on the pop chart.[3]
Notes and References
- Book: White, Adam . The Billboard Book of Number One Rhythm & Blues Hits. Bronson . Fred . 1993 . Billboard Books:Watson-Guptill Publications, New York . 172.
- Book: Whitburn, Joel . Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Joel Whitburn . 2004 . Record Research . 95.
- Book: Whitburn, Joel . Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Joel Whitburn . 2004 . Record Research . 427.
