I HAVE MY DREAMS
~Sing for Today, Sing for Tomorrow~
"I Have My Dreams" – an Album with 3 vocal tracks and 3 sing along soundtracks written specifically with one purpose in mind: to be motivational, encouraging, and caring toward students of all ages.
“I Want To Be” (Track 1 Vocal & Track 4 Soundtrack for Sing Along) is a motivational conversation between a student and an elementary/middle school teacher. This song may be the subject of discussions for teachers and young students regarding their goals, their dreams, and what it takes to fulfill and realize those dreams, why they need to be disciplined and study, etc…
Background:
Duke Nguyen Browning dedicates “I Want To Be” to his wife and all the devoted teachers who selflessly commit themselves to the teaching, caring, and loving of our young children. He also dedicates this song to the children who have dreams, hopes, and aspirations for their lives. This is one of several songs in which Duke had his heart and mind on the children when he wrote it. He stated, “When I wrote this song, my mind focused as much or more on a social concern as on the art of writing a good song with meaningful lyrics. Thus, my definition of success in writing this song is to make a little bit of difference in a few youngsters’ lives; everything else is secondary.”
Being married to an elementary school teacher for more than 24 years, he can say without hesitation that his wife, like many of her colleagues, and thousands of teachers across the US and around the world, do their job because they love children and care for their well being and future. Without that, it would make their job unbearable at times, considering the time and efforts they put into their job – inside the classrooms as well as unaccounted time spent at home.
As a concerned teacher, on several occasions Duke's wife spoke with him and tried to figure out a way to help students who have dreams and expectations for their future but, unless they change their work habits, are setting themselves up for disappointment. Over the years, we have seen students whose role models are “movie stars” and “sports stars” and want to be “like them” when they grow up, but believe that studying and doing homework are not necessary.
Inspired by the discussions with his wife, Duke wrote this song in hopes that it may make a little positive impact on some of the children. “It may be a topic of discussion for teachers and students in the classroom; it may be a topic of discussion for students and their parents; it could be a potential opportunity to make difference in someone’s life – like my wife and many other teachers would say – even one child at a time.”
Duke said perhaps the main reason his wife consults him from time to time when dealing students is because he was a tough one to deal with when he was in elementary school. Between 4th and 5th grade, he got kicked out of school four times. Each time, his parents had to go to the school and had a discussion with the teacher and the school administrators. As such, now his wife often asks him “what would you do if a teacher says" “…....” “what motivated you” “what made you upset” “why didn’t you care” and other questions along those lines. Duke said that “coming from an unusual background, I was a horrible and rebellious student in elementary school. If someone told my parents that I would be an attorney when I grew up, or that I would be a songwriter in the future, they would probably say that they want to live another 100 years to see that happen. Yet, as he looks back in his life, he believes that the love, support, and care of many of the adults throughout his life allows him to accomplished many dreams in his life, even some several decades after the time he first started — like writing songs. “In my heart, I have always had a place for children, and I honestly want to see them succeed and be able to fulfill their dreams.” Duke said.
Finally, Duke said he hopes the music and music-related professionals, musicians, singers, producers, publishers, broadcasters will join him in conveying the message of this song, whether using this song or through other songs for the benefit of the children who need it.
“You’ll Be a Star” (Track 2 Vocal & Track 5 Soundtrack for Sing Along) is a motivational conversation between students and middle or high school teachers. The main themes of this song are “I will make it”, “I am willing to fight for my dreams”, “My dreams will come true”, “I know I can do it” “I have courage”, “My future is a just a dream away”, “I don’t let my dream die before it is realized”. The teacher says “you will be a star” “That day is not too far” and "I’ll cheer for you”. One may consider this song the teenager and the adult version of “The Little Engine That Could”.
“18 (Lift Your Wings)” (Track 3 Vocal & Track 6 Soundtrack for Sing Along) is a high school graduation song written in a conversational style. The first part of the song was written for the parents and the second part was written for the students, the seniors of the graduating class. Its lyrics depict the love and memorable relationship between parents and graduates through the eighteen years of their life together at home. The paradoxical feeling of happiness and sadness most parents experience can be felt throughout this song. On one hand, we are happy to see our children’s success and ability to move on. On the other hand, it is sad to see them leave and to let them go. This nostalgia and reminiscence of the parent/child relationship are universally expressed in the chorus as follows:
Parents:
You are my heart, my soul,
But I must let you go searching
To see what is in store
The destiny is yours
In the hand of our Lord.
Take precious memories
And all the love from me with you
Where you will rest your wings
I hope you’ll always think
My love has no ending.
Students:
You are my heart, my soul,
But I must try to go searching
To see what is in store
I know no love like yours
I will trust in our Lord.
I’ll be taking my chance
Ready to climb against the winds
If I’m lifted high above
I’ll never fail to know
That I’m filled with your love.
To make these songs more enjoyable and better fit with the students, Duke wrote them in up tempo style, unlike his more than three dozen other songs, written in mid tempos, with a soft and easy listening style.
To listen to these songs, please visit:
About
Duke Nguyen Browning
(Songwriter)
Whether it is for one's life, one's
love, or one's faith, those who listen to Duke’s music will find his songs
positive, inspirational, and encouraging. Professionally performed both vocally
and instrumentally by Paramount Group, the songs on this album are universal and
timeless that the audience will enjoy listening, and perhaps singing along, now
and in the years to come.
Duke's love and passion for music began as a child when Duke left Vietnam and came to the United States the day the Vietnam’s war ended in 1975, but the initial English language barrier prevented him from further pursuing his dream of a career in music. Upon his arrival in the United States, learning English was Duke's top priority; thus, with his passion for music, Duke found a fun and enjoyable way to learn English by starting out with several music albums that had the lyrics printed on the record covers. These records included Barry Manilow’s “I Write The Songs,” John Denver’s "Back Home Again," Seals & Crofts’ "Diamond Girls," Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” Jim Croce’s “Photographs & Memories”, and several more. It did not take long before Duke had the Vietnamese translations written all over the printed lyrics of those record covers so that he could figure out the meaning of the songs.
After many years of pursuing other dreams in the United States, it
seems natural for Duke to fulfill one of his first dreams in life, writing
songs. "It is a great honor and a tremendous privilege to have the opportunity
and ability to do what you once wanted to do. This is true not only of singing
songs, but anything, any dream in one's life.” In a recent letter to Duke, one
of his first friends in the U.S. wrote: I remember teaching you how to sing “I
Write the Songs” by Barry Manilow shortly after you arrived. Little did we know
where your love for that song would take you.
Duke graduated from Washburn School of Law, in Topeka, Kansas, and is
licensed to practice law in Texas. He received his undergraduate degree from
Hope College, in Holland, Michigan, his Associate Degree from Muskegon Community
College, Michigan. Duke is fluent in oral as well as written
English and Vietnamese. Duke, his wife, and their three daughters are members
of the Holy Covenant United Methodist Church in Katy, Texas.
Return to: www.SingSongsAmerica.com