Standards
A Kiss To Build A Dream On chords & key
- Key
- C major
- Form
- AABA
- Bars
- 32
- Groove
- Medium swing
- Time signature
- 4/4
“A Kiss To Build A Dream On” is a jazz standard by Kalmar-Ruby-Hammerstein. Most bands play it in C major, medium swing; the tune runs 32 bars in AABA form. Harmonically it contains 5 major ii–V–I cadences and 2 minor ii–V–i, uses 17 different chords and moves between the key centres C major, F minor, E♭ major and C minor. In this atlas it appears on 14 album tracks.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — C major
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
Most used chords
- Dm7×17
- G7×10
- A7♭9×6
- C6×4
- Cmaj7×3
- Em7×3
Key centres reached by ii–V
C major, F minor, E♭ major and C minor
Characteristics
- AABA song form
Recorded on these albums
| 1960 | Big Brass Benny Bailey · “A Kiss to Build a Dream On” |
| 1964 | Hello, Dolly! Louis Armstrong · “A Kiss to Build a Dream On” |
| 1971 | My Tribute To Louis: Piano Solos By Earl Hines Earl Hines |
| 1996 | Moving In Chris Potter · “A Kiss to Build a Dream On” |
| 1998 | The Natural Seven Al Cohn · “A Kiss to Build a Dream On” |
| 2000 | For Louis Charlie Byrd · “A Kiss to Build a Dream On” |
| 2000 | The Spirit of St. Louis The Manhattan Transfer · “A Kiss to Build a Dream On” |
| 2002 | A Wonderful World Tony Bennett & k.d. lang · “A Kiss to Build a Dream On” |
| 2004 | American Music Legends Louis Armstrong · “A Kiss to Build a Dream On” |
| 2005 | Louis Armstrong - Great Moments 8 Louis Armstrong · “A Kiss to Build a Dream On” |
| 2005 | Signature Ann Hampton Callaway · “A Kiss to Build a Dream On” |
| 2008 | Nora - for swingende!!! Nora Brockstedt · “A Kiss to Build a Dream On” |
| 2012 | The Pope of Greenwich Village Dave Grusin · “A Kiss to Build a Dream” |
| 2016 | Tony Bennett Celebrates 90 Tony Bennett · “A Kiss to Build a Dream On” |
Standards with similar changes
Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.
| Title | Key |
|---|---|
| One Morning In May 24% | G major |
| All Through The Day 23% | F major |
| I Get Along Without You 23% | B♭ major |
| All By Myself 22% | C major |
| Crazy He Calls Me 22% | F major |
| My Shining Hour 22% | C major |
| I Like The Likes Of You 20% | E♭ major |
| Tautology 20% | F major |
Frequently asked questions
What key is A Kiss To Build A Dream On in?
A Kiss To Build A Dream On is usually played in C major. For B♭ instruments that is D major, for E♭ instruments A major.
Who wrote A Kiss To Build A Dream On?
A Kiss To Build A Dream On was written by Kalmar-Ruby-Hammerstein.
What is the form of A Kiss To Build A Dream On?
A Kiss To Build A Dream On has 4 sections (AABA) with 32 bars in total.
How fast is A Kiss To Build A Dream On played?
The usual groove is Medium swing.
What are the chord changes to A Kiss To Build A Dream On?
The opening bars are Cmaj7 Dm7 | Em7 Ebdim7 | Dm7 A7b9 | Dm7 G7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.