Today’s tune is somewhat special. Aside from being a fine song, full of sentiment, this rendition is brought to us by a Philadelphia man. Howard Lanin was born in Philadelphia in 1897. Growing up in the city, he left high school at the age of fifteen to pursue his musical aspirations. Aside from the Orchestra that Howard would lead, two of his brothers led groups of their own. Lanin also opened the Roseland Ballroom in Philadelphia, which had a second location in New York City. Lanin would pass away in 1991 in Philadelphia, at the age of 93.
The instrumental introduction of this piece evokes a playful tone, which quickly subsides to a more relaxed, smooth mood. Given the nighttime setting, this is altogether appropriate. When the vocals do cut in, the harmony and lyrics perpetuate this playful tone. The opening line even includes a reference to “peek a boo”. Far from man’s innate fear of the dark, the song’s content grabs hold of those things that comfort us at night, the moon, our pillows, our dreams. The singer asks that the moonbeams plant a kiss upon his beloved. He also wishes her to know that he will be ever faithful. With the makings of a romantic lullaby of sorts, this tune doesn’t do half bad. The words and lyrics were created by Harry Woods and Mort Dixon in 1927, the same year Lanin created his rendition.
Music Through the Mists of Time 