Dave Dreyer
Illustration — Dreyer c. September 1929 Dave Dreyer (September 22, 1894 in Brooklyn, New York – March 1, 1967 in New York City) was an American composer and pianist. He started off as a pianist with vaudeville greats such as Al Jolson, Sophie Tucker, Belle Baker, and Frank Fay.
Dave Dreyer

Photoplay · Internet Archive · Public domain
- Born
- 1894 · Brooklyn.
- Died
- 1967 · New York City.
- Nationality
- United States
- Occupation
- composer · pianist · music publisher · songwriter
- Known for
- Me and My Shadow
- Languages
- English
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Illustration — Dreyer c. September 1929 Dave Dreyer (September 22, 1894 in Brooklyn, New York – March 1, 1967 in New York City) was an American composer and pianist. He started off as a pianist with vaudeville greats such as Al Jolson, Sophie Tucker, Belle Baker, and Frank Fay.
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Dave Dreyer (1894–1967) was an American composer, music publisher and pianist, among other activities. Born in Brooklyn, the composer died in New York City.
Works include Me and My Shadow. Languages used include English.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 26 September 2026
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wikidata · Q427072 · wikipedia · Dave Dreyer
In this article
Songs
Songs
In 1923 he worked for the Irving Berlin Music Company. While there, he worked numerous film scores. He later became the head of the music department of RKO Radio. He left the Music Company in 1947.
He began to produce hits by collaborating with other artists. Some of these are: • "Me and My Shadow" (with Billy Rose, Al Jolson) • "There's a Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder" • "Back in Your Own Backyard" (with Billy Rose, Al Jolson) • "Cecilia (Dreyer and Ruby song)" • "Four Walls" (with Billy Rose, Al Jolson) • "Golden Gate" • "In a Little Second Hand Store" • "Wabash Moon" • "I’m Following You" • "I Wanna Sing About You" • "I’m Keeping Company" • "The Wall" (with Oramay Diamond, Clyde Otis) • "Next Stop Paradise" • "Hold My Hand" • "What Am I Supposed to Do?" • "Honey Babe" • "Eternal Love" (with Ballard MacDonald & Peter DeRose) • "Find the Girl" (with Ballard MacDonald) He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970.
You Can't Be True, Dear
You Can't Be True, Dear
"You Can't Be True, Dear" is sometimes listed under Dreyer's credits. However, the song was written by composer Hans Otten and lyricist Gerhard Ebeler, and the English words were written by Hal Cotten at Dreyer's request so that a vocal could be dubbed into the Ken Griffin recording.
Identity
Identity
Dave Dreyer is recorded as composer, pianist, music publisher and songwriter.

This page from the September 1929 issue of Photoplay highlights the westward migration of songwriters to Hollywood, drawn by the booming film and music industries and the promise of success exemplified by the hit "California, Here I Come!" It explores how the motion picture industry has absorbed music publishing, elevating songwriters to new prominence in entertainment culture. People mentioned in
Photoplay · Internet Archive
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 1 entries
1967
Dave Dreyer died at New York City.
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Brooklyn.
Birth place
New York City.
Death place
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Dave Dreyer”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q427072: Dave Dreyer
General reference · Wikidata
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 17 August 2026.
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