Tammy Wynette and David Houston – My Elusive Dreams

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My Elusive Dreams (Song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

“My Elusive Dreams”

My Elusive Dreams.jpg
By Epic Records – Public Domain, Link

Single by David Houston and Tammy Wynette
from the album My Elusive Dreams
B-side“Marriage on the Rocks”
ReleasedJune 1967
GenreCountry
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)Billy Sherrill
Curly Putman
Producer(s)Billy Sherrill
David Houston and Tammy Wynette singles chronology
My Elusive Dreams
(1967)”It’s All Over
(1968)
David Houston and Tammy Wynette Chart (1967)Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles1
U.S. Billboard Hot 10089

My Elusive Dreams” is a country music song written by Billy Sherrill and Curly Putman. Putman recorded his song in March 1967 and released it on ABC Records in June 1967, peaking at #41 on the Hot Country Singles charts and #34 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100. The song was later recorded by several artists. The best-known version was recorded as a duet by David Houston and Tammy Wynette, and was a No. 1 country hit in October 1967; the song also peaked at No. 89 on the Billboard Hot 100. Wynette recorded a second duet version of My Elusive Dreams in 1973 with George Jones; this version was included on the Let’s Build a World Together album.

My Elusive Dreams

Song background

The song follows a restless man and his wife, as he attempts to find an ever-elusive and lasting happiness pursuing various dreams and schemes, all which are ill-fated. The man’s attempts at making something work include stops in at least six states: Texas, Utah, Alabama (specifically, Birmingham), Tennessee (specifically, Memphis – where the wife gave birth to their child – and later Nashville), Nebraska and finally Alaska (it is implied that during their stint there, their child died and was buried there). The man finally admits to his resigned wife that he recognizes she’s tired of following him around the country and that his dreams are fleeting.

Other versions

  • Immediately after the Putman release, it was recorded by three different acts, a duet by David Houston & Tammy Wynette, one by Rusty Draper
Rusty Draper "My Elusive Dreams"
Johnny Darrell – My Elusive Dreams
Johnny Darell Chart (1967)Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles73
  • All four of the versions charted in 1967. Putman’s version of the song made its chart debut on the chart dated for July 8, 1967, one week before the Houston-Wynette version, which went to #1 in October 1967. Draper’s version peaked at #70 and Darrell’s version peaked at #73
  • The song has been recorded by countless numbers of acts over the years, but there were two more charting versions released. In 1970, Bobby Vinton took his version of “My Elusive Dreams”, which was also the title to his album of the same name, to #27 on the country charts and #46 on the pop charts.
Bobby Vinton – My Elusive Dreams (1970)
Bobby Vinton Chart (1970)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)88
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles27
U.S. Billboard Hot 10046
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks7
  • In 1975, Charlie Rich took the song again onto the country and pop charts, this time taking it to #3 on the country charts and #49 on the pop chart.
Charlie Rich – My Elusive Dreams
Charlie Rich Chart (1975)Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles3
U.S. Billboard Hot 10049
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks16
Canadian RPM Country Tracks5
Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks15
  • Roger Miller recorded a cover in 1968,
My elusive dreams
My Elusive Dreams
Lee Hazelwood and Nancy Sinatra My Elusive Dreams
My Elusive Dreams: The Everly Brothers
Ray Lynam and Philomena Begley – My Elusive Dreams
  • Curly Putman
Curly Putman – My Elusive Dreams (1967)
Curly Putman Chart (1967)Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles41
U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 10034
  • Johnny Darrell
Johnny Darrell – My Elusive Dreams
Johnny Darell Chart (1967)Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles73
  • Frankie Stevens
Frankie Stevens My Elusive Dreams
Frankie Stevens Chart (1970)Peak
position
New Zealand (Listener)5
  • My Elusive Dreams – Tammy Wynette and Glen Campbell (1982)
My Elusive Dreams – Tammy Wynette and Glen Campbell (1982)
  • Tom Jones – My Elusive Dreams
My Elusive Dreams
  • Engelbert Humperdinck – My Elusive Dreams
Engelbert Humperdinck – My Elusive Dreams
  • Bobby Bare And Skeeter Davis – My Elusive Dreams
My Elusive Dreams
  • Bobbie Gentry And Glen Campbell – My Elusive Dreams
My Elusive Dreams

My Elusive Dreams (David Houston and Tammy Wynette album)

My Elusive Dreams

DavidHoustonTammyWynetteMyElusive Dreams.jpg
By Epic Records – Album scan, Fair use, Link

Studio album by David Houston and Tammy Wynette
ReleasedAugust 1967
RecordedJune 1967
StudioColumbia, Nashville
GenreCountry Nashville Sound
LabelEpic
ProducerBilly Sherrill
David Houston chronology
Golden Hymns
(1967)My Elusive Dreams
(1967)You Mean the World to Me
(1967)
Tammy Wynette chronology
Your Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad
(1967)My Elusive Dreams
(1967)Take Me to Your World / I Don’t Wanna Play House
(1968)
Singles from My Elusive Dreams
My Elusive Dreams
Released: June 1967″It’s All Over
Released: December 1967

Professional ratings

Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic

My Elusive Dreams is a studio album by American country artists David Houston and Tammy Wynette. It was released on Epic Records in August 1967 and contained ten tracks. It was the duo’s first and only collaborative album together. My Elusive Dreams contained mostly duets between Houston and Wynette (two solo tracks by both artists were also included). The album was named for the title track, which topped the American country songs chart in 1967. Another single titled “It’s All Over” also became a commercially-successful country song. The album received positive reviews following its release.

Background and content

Both David Houston and Tammy Wynette had individual careers as country music artists. Both individuals also shared the same producer, Billy Sherrill. Houston first achieved success through Epic Records. In 1966, he reached his commercial peak with the number one country single, “Almost Persuaded“. It crossed over to the pop charts and received accolades from the Grammy Awards.

Almost Persuaded

Wynette signed with Epic in 1966 and had her first chart success with 1967’s “Your Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad“.

Tammy Wynette – Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad (Official Audio)

Sherrill chose to pair the two together after composing with Glenn Sutton the song “My Elusive Dreams”. Originally, Sherrill wanted it to be a solo release for Wynette but changed his mind and decided to also make an album of duets between the pair.

My Elusive Dreams was recorded in June 1967 at the Columbia Studio, located in Nashville, Tennessee. The album contained a total of ten tracks. Eight of these tracks were duets between Houston and Wynette. This included three songs which were covers: Patsy Cline‘s “Back in Baby’s Arms”, Hank Williams‘s “Hey Good Lookin’” and “Somethin’ Stupid“. The latter was originally a duet by Frank Sinatra and Nancy Sinatra. Other duets included the title track, “It’s All Over” and “I’ll Take My Chances with You”. Two solo recordings also appear. “Set Me Free” is performed solely by Wynette while “Clinging Vine” is performed solely by Houston.

Critical reception

Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic

A review published in the August 19, 1967 issue of Billboard said, “Now and then a country duet set the field on fire and when these two artists—both outstanding on their own—teamed up, their “My Elusive Dreams” raced up the chart and even scored pop sales. The duo follows up that hit with sensational performances on “Somethin’ Stupid” and “Back in Baby’s Arms”, among others.” Cashbox also published a review in their August 19, 1967 issue, which read, “Look out for David Houston and Tammy Wynette to grab a top chart spot with this groovy LP. The set, which bears the same title as the duo’s current chart-climbing single, includes, in addition to “My Elusive Dreams”, nine other striking tracks, notably “Ill Take My Chances with You”, “Somethin’ Stupid” and “Marriage on the Rocks”. Watch this one move.” A review published by Record World said, “”My Elusive Dreams” by Curly Putman and Billy Sherrill is certainly one of the best songs of the year and makes this high quality duet album that much better. Tammy and David also do “Somethin’ Stupid”, “Hey Good Lookin'” and more.” The album also features Wynette’s first songwriting credit.

Release, chart performance and singles

My Elusive Dreams was released in August 1967. It was distributed as a vinyl LP, containing five songs on either side of the record. It was the pair’s first and only album collection together. They would both later record duets with other artists. Houston would collaborate with Barbara Mandrell while Wynette would collaborate with future husband, George Jones. After its release, the album peaked at number 11 on the American Billboard Country LP‘s chart. The title track topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1967 while “It’s All Over reached number 11 on the same chart.

Track listing

Side One

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1.My Elusive DreamsCurly Putman Billy Sherrill2:48
My Elusive Dreams 1967- Tammy Wynette and David Houston
2.“I’ll Take My Chances with You”Marge Barton Fred MacRae2:25
Tammy Wynette & David Houston – I'll Take My Chances With You(1967)
3.Hey Good Lookin’Hank Williams2:27
Tammy Wynette & David Houston – Hey Good Lookin'
4.“Set Me Free” (Solo: Tammy Wynette)Putman2:16
Tammy Wynette – Set Me Free (1967)
5.“Together We Stand (Divided We Fall)”Don Chapel Tammy Wynette2:12
Tammy Wynette & David Houston -Together We Stand(Divided We Fall) 1967

Side Two

No.TitleWriter(s)Leng
th
1.Somethin’ StupidCarson Parks2:34
Tammy Wynette and David Houston – Something Stupid
2.“Back in Baby’s Arms”Bob Montgomery2:25
Tammy Wynette & David Houston – Back In Baby's Arms
3.It’s All OverSherrill Glenn Sutton2:30
Tammy Wynette & David Houston-It's All Over
.“Clinging Vine” (Solo: David Houston)Leon Carr Grace Lane Earl Shuman2:38
David Houston – Clinging Vine(1967)
5.“Marriage on the Rocks”Sherrill Sutton2:47
David Houston & Tammy Wynette – Marriage On The Rocks

Personnel

All credits are adapted from the liner notes of My Elusive Dreams.

  • David Houston – lead vocals
  • Michael Mendel – cover design
  • Billy Sherrill – producer
  • Tammy Wynette – lead vocals

Chart performance

Chart (1967)Peak
position
US Top Country Albums (Billboard)11

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel
North AmericaAugust 1967VinylEpic Records

My Elusive Dreams (Bobby Vinton album)

My Elusive Dreams

Myelusivedrwams.jpg
By Fair use, Link

Studio album by Bobby Vinton
ReleasedMarch 1970
GenrePop
LabelEpic
ProducerBilly Sherrill
Bobby Vinton chronology
Bobby Vinton’s Greatest Hits of Love
(1969)My Elusive Dreams
(1970)Sounds of Love
(1970)
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic

My Elusive Dreams was Bobby Vinton‘s twentieth studio album, released in 1970.

The title track, a remake of a 1967 Tammy Wynette/David Houston hit, is the album’s only single. Cover versions include B.J. Thomas’ hit “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head“, the Beatles‘ hit “Something“, “Leaving on a Jet Plane“, “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again“, “I Will Follow You” (a different version of Little Peggy March‘s hit “I Will Follow Him“), and Barbara Lewis‘ hit “Baby I’m Yours“.

Track listing

Side One

No.TitleWriter(s)Leng
th
1.My Elusive DreamsCurly PutmanBilly Sherrill3:13
Bobby Vinton – My Elusive Dreams (1970)
2.Raindrops Keep Fallin’
on My Head” ([From the 20th Century Fox Picture 
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid])
Hal David
Burt Bacharach
2:46
Bobby Vinton Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head
3.SomethingGeorge Harrison2:50
Bobby Vinton Something
4.I’ll Never Fall in Love Again” ([From the Musical Production 
Promises, Promises])
Burt Bacharach
Hal David
2:45
Bobby Vinton I'll Never Fall In Love Again
5.Leaving on a Jet PlaneJohn Denver3:29
Bobby Vinton Leaving On A Jet Plane

Side Two

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1.TracesBuddy BuieJames Cobb
Emory Gordy
3:01
Bobby Vinton – Traces
2.“I Will Follow You”Arthur AltmanNorman GimbelJacques PlanteJ.W. StoleDel Roma2:07
Bobby Vinton I Will Follow You
3.Baby Take Me in Your ArmsTony MacaulayJohn Macleod2:25
Bobby Vinton Baby Take Me In Your Arms
4.If Ever I Would Leave YouAlan Jay LernerFrederick Loewe2:45
Bobby Vinton If Ever I Would Leave You
5.Baby I’m YoursVan McCoy2:24
Bobby Vinton Baby I'm Yours
6.“The Perfect Woman”Buddy KayePhilip Springer3:14
Bobby Vinton The Perfect Woman

Personnel

  • Bobby Vinton – vocals
  • Billy Sherrill – producer
  • Hank Levine – arranger (“Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head”, “Something”, “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again”, “Leaving on a Jet Plane”, “Traces”, “Baby Take Me in Your Arms” and “If Ever I Would Leave You”)
  • Bill Walker – arranger (“My Elusive Dreams”, “Baby I’m Yours” and “The Perfect Woman”)
  • Lou Bradley – engineer
  • Charlie Brigg – engineer
  • Tom Sparkman – engineer
  • Suzanne Szasz – back cover photo

Charts

Album – Billboard (North America)

YearChartPosition
1970The Billboard 20090

Singles – Billboard (North America)

YearSingleChartPosi
tion
1970“My Elusive Dreams”The Billboard Hot 10046
1970“My Elusive Dreams”Billboard Adult Contem
porary
7
1970“My Elusive Dreams”Country Singles27

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