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]

"Dream Merchant"
Single by New Birth
from the album Blind Baby
B-side"Why Did I"
ReleasedJune 28, 1975
Recorded1975
Length3:20
LabelBuddah
Songwriter(s)Larry Weiss, Jerry Ross
New Birth singles chronology
"It's Been a Long Time"
(1974)
"Dream Merchant"
(1975)
"Grandaddy (Part 1)"
(1975)

Cover versions

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  • 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]

References

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  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. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 427.