Satchmo’s A Kiss to Build a Dream on is probably my favorite of his songs and certainly in my top 10 all time. (I take that back - Sugar with Bing Crosby has to be my favorite!) In his most heard recording, instead of “Gimme your lips for just a moment” the last verse has him saying, “Gimmie ya chops…”

I don’t think anyone else could get away with ‘chops’ with such a pretty and romantic song. This singer doesn’t even try, but what a nice voice and piano!

Gimme a kiss to build a dream on
And my imagination
Will thrive upon that kiss
Sweetheart, I ask no more than this
A Kiss to build a dream on

Give me a kiss before you leave me
and my imagination
will feed my hungry heart
Leave me one thing before we part
A kiss to build a dream on

When I’m alone with my fancies
I’ll be with you
Weaving romances
Making believe they’re true

Oh, gimme your lips for just a moment
and my imagination
will make that moment live
Give me what you alone can give
A kiss to build a dream on

Gimme a kiss to build a dream on
And my imagination
Will thrive upon that kiss
Sweetheart, I ask no more than this
A Kiss to build a dream on

Give me a kiss before you leave me
and my imagination
will feed my hungry heart
Leave me one thing before we part
A kiss to build a dream on

When I’m alone with my fancies
I’ll be with you
Weaving romances
Making believe they’re true

Oh, gimme your lips for just a moment
and my imagination
will make that moment live
Give me what you alone can give
A kiss to build a dream on

–

I had a clarinet teacher (I don’t play anymore…) who actually knew Louis Armstrong (as well as Mel Torme, Bob Crosby and a host of other big names). He told me a story of when Louis’ car was stopped by a police officer. The officer asked everyone in the car where they were from. Each person answered but when he got to Louis, the poor, flustered man yelled out, “South America!”

My teacher said Louis was a genius musically, but he wasn’t very educated otherwise.