Dream Lover Lyrics
Bobby DarinDream Lover
Every night I hope and prayA dream lover will come my way
A girl to hold in my arms
And know the magic of her charms
'Cause I want (yeah-yeah, yeah)
A girl (yeah-yeah, yeah)
To call (yeah-yeah, yeah)
My own (yeah-yeah)
I want a dream lover
So I don't have to dream alone
Dream lover, where are you
With a love, oh, so true
And the hand that I can hold
To feel you near as I grow old
'Cause I want (yeah-yeah, yeah)
A girl (yeah-yeah, yeah)
To call (yeah-yeah, yeah)
My own (yeah-yeah, yeah)
I want a dream lover
So I don't have to dream alone
Someday, I don't know how
I hope she'll hear my plea
Some way, I don't know how
She'll bring her love to me
Dream lover, until then
I'll go to sleep and dream again
That's the only thing to do
'Til all my lover's dreams come true
'Cause I want (yeah-yeah, yeah)
A girl (yeah-yeah, yeah)
To call (yeah-yeah, yeah)
My own (yeah-yeah, yeah)
I want a dream lover
So I don't have to dream alone
Dream lover, until then
I'll go to sleep and dream again
That's the only thing to do
'Til all my lover's dreams come true
'Cause I want (yeah-yeah, yeah)
A girl (yeah-yeah, yeah)
To call (yeah-yeah, yeah)
My own (yeah-yeah)
I want a dream lover
So I don't have to dream alone
Please don't make me dream alone
I beg you don't make me dream alone
No, I don't wanna dream alone
Song Overview

Song Credits
- Writer: Bobby Darin
- Producer: Jerry Wexler, Ahmet Ertegün
- Release Date: 1959-04-20
- Album: Sing & Swing With Bobby Darin
- Genre: Pop, Rock, Doo-Wop
- Language: English
- Track Number: 11
- Label: Atlantic Records
Song Meaning and Annotations

Dream Lover is less a pop song and more a sincere wish whispered into a jukebox. Written by Bobby Darin himself, it distills a teenage ache into a melody so catchy, it feels like it should come with a varsity jacket and a soda pop.
Verse 1
Every night I hope and pray / A dream lover will come my way
Right off the bat, Darin is talking to the stars — literally. This isn’t just a desire for a fling, it’s a plea for something real, something lasting. He’s lonely, sure, but more than that, he’s longing to be understood.
Chorus
'Cause I want (Yeah-yeah, yeah) / A girl (Yeah-yeah, yeah) / To call (Yeah-yeah, yeah) / My own
The repetition of the “yeah-yeah” punctuates the plea like a heartbeat. It’s infectious. It’s earnest. It’s a singalong shout into the void that, hopefully, echoes back with love.
Verse 2 & Bridge
Someday, I don't know how / I hope she'll hear my plea
This isn’t confidence, it’s hope wearing a bow tie. Darin doesn’t pretend to have the answers. He’s just casting a message into the bottle of a song, hoping the right ears — and heart — find it.
Verse 3 & Outro
Please don't make me dream alone / I beg you don't make me dream alone
This outro is a gentle unraveling. The chorus returns, but now it carries more weight. It's not just a hook — it's a vulnerability laid bare. He’s not just crooning. He’s confessing.
Similar Songs

-
"Blue Velvet" – Bobby Vinton
Another dreamy ballad, "Blue Velvet" bathes itself in nostalgia and longing. While Darin's “Dream Lover” comes from youthful yearning, Vinton’s velvet blues feel more melancholic. Both, though, carry that sweet ache of what’s just out of reach. -
"Only You (And You Alone)" – The Platters
This doo-wop masterpiece and “Dream Lover” share that same trembling need for connection. Where Darin wonders and wishes, The Platters assert with reverence — “Only You” is a love already found, while “Dream Lover” seeks one still unseen. -
"Donna" – Ritchie Valens
Valens’ plea to his lost love is rawer, steeped in grief. Yet the musical DNA — 1950s harmonies, simple longing, heart-on-sleeve storytelling — makes it a spiritual sibling to “Dream Lover.” Two different moods, one shared emotional language.
Questions and Answers

- Did Bobby Darin write “Dream Lover” himself?
- Yes, and it marked a pivotal moment in his career — proving he wasn’t just a charismatic performer but also a skilled songwriter.
- What inspired the lyrics of “Dream Lover”?
- The universal ache of loneliness, spun through a teenage daydream. It taps into that timeless feeling of waiting — not for just anyone, but the right someone.
- Was “Dream Lover” a commercial success?
- Massively. It hit #2 in the U.S. and #1 in the U.K., solidifying Darin’s status as more than just a novelty act.
- What genre does “Dream Lover” belong to?
- A blend of pop, early rock, and doo-wop. It floats between these genres like a slow dance at a school gym — part romance, part innocence.
- Why does “Dream Lover” still resonate today?
- Because dreaming of love — especially when you haven’t found it yet — never goes out of style. The sound may be vintage, but the sentiment is ageless.
Fan and Media Reactions
"He wrote it himself? Dang, no wonder it hits different." – user: @classiccrooner
"It’s like the musical equivalent of hugging your pillow at 1 AM and sighing." – user: @sleeplessvibes
"Still humming this in 2025. Bobby had the sauce." – user: @retrovault
"This makes me wanna wear saddle shoes and stare out a diner window." – user: @fiftiesforever
"'Please don't make me dream alone' is just... wow. Simple, but it guts you." – user: @melodymourns