Darn That Dream

Billie Holiday's 'Darn That Dream' is a poignant exploration of unfulfilled love and the torment of dreams that offer fleeting happiness. The song captures the essence of longing and the pain of waking up to a reality that doesn't match the blissful moments experienced in dreams. Holiday's soulful voice adds depth to the lyrics, making the listener feel the weight of her yearning and disappointment.

The lyrics describe a recurring dream where the singer is loved and cherished, only to wake up and find that the person she dreams of is not there. This cycle of hope and despair is encapsulated in lines like 'You say you love me and hold me tight / But when I awake and you're out of sight.' The dream offers a temporary escape from reality, lifting her 'high above the moonlit sky,' but the fall back to reality is harsh, as she 'tumble[s] out of paradise.'

The song also touches on the frustration of being unable to control one's thoughts and emotions. The singer's 'one track mind' is fixated on the dream, unable to accept that the love she yearns for is unattainable. This internal struggle is so intense that she would even prefer a 'nice old nightmare' to change her mood. Despite the pain, the dream is also a blessing because it allows her to experience a love that she can't have in real life. This duality of the dream being both a source of joy and torment is beautifully captured in the line, 'Darn that dream / And bless it too.'

Billie Holiday's rendition of 'Darn That Dream' is a masterful portrayal of the complexities of love and longing. The song resonates with anyone who has ever experienced the bittersweet nature of dreams that feel real but remain just out of reach.