An unreleased track by the time of Cline’s tragic passing, Sweet Dreams (of you) was a further exploration of a pop-friendly side of Patsy Cline. Originally a Don Gibson track, Sweet Dreams (of you) became a country standard, both by the strength of the song and its association with Cline.

There are artists that always have an immense aura of sadness around them, and I don’t know if it’s due to their work, or just my perception, sometimes in hindsight. Although Robin Williams always made me laugh, there seemed to be a desperation in his eyes, as I felt a great sadness was oozing through. Perhaps that’s why he was so great with dramas, sometimes surpassing his comedy skills.

I get the same overwhelming sadness with Patsy Cline. Every single song of hers fills you with longing and sadness, and even before I read about her, I could just tell things didn’t end well. Like many great musicians from the 50s, an airplane incident robbed us from her voice.

Cline allegedly disliked the strings on the song, and I guess I understand the sentiment. They feel a bit like overkill, like the ridiculous overdubs Phil Spector crammed on The Beatles’ The Long and Winding Road. Really, Cline’s emotional vocals are enough, and although it’s impossible (and unreasonable) to dream of a stringless version, it isn’t a deal breaker.

Three cigarrettes in an ashtray, fall to pieces and Crazy are stone cold classics, but the beautiful pain of Sweet Dreams (of you) is a testament of Cline’s artistic prowess. So much it gave its title to Sweet Dreams, an 1985 biopic about Cline, starring Jessica Lange. I’ve never seen it, probably one day.

Emmylou Harris’ version is also a great take on this standard. Check both versions, and witness its universality.

-Sam J. Valdés López