Dream Merchant

"Dream Merchant"
Single by New Birth
from the album Blind Baby
B-side	"Why Did I"
Released	June 28, 1975
Recorded	1975
Length	3:20
Label	Buddah
Songwriter(s)	Larry Weiss, Jerry Ross
New Birth singles chronology
"It's Been a Long Time" (1974) "Dream Merchant" (1975) "Grandaddy (Part 1)" (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, #38 on the Hot 100, and #45 in Canada. ^{[2] [3]}

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. ^[4]

References

1. White, Adam; Bronson, Fred (1993). The Billboard Book of Number One Rhythm & Blues Hits. Billboard Books:Watson-Guptill Publications, New York. p. 172.
2. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 95.
3. "RPM Magazine - December 9, 1967 - Page 1" (PDF).
4. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 427.