Don't Dream It's Over
"Don't Dream It's Over" is a song by Australian rock band Crowded House, recorded for their 1986 self-titled debut studio album.[5] The song was composed and written by New Zealand frontman Neil Finn and released in October 1986[2] as the fourth single from the album.
"Don't Dream It's Over" | ||||
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Single by Crowded House | ||||
from the album Crowded House | ||||
B-side | "That's What I Call Love" | |||
Released | 20 October 1986[2] | |||
Studio | Capitol Recording, Sunset Sound Factory (Los Angeles) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:55 | |||
Label | Capitol | |||
Songwriter(s) | Neil Finn | |||
Producer(s) | Mitchell Froom | |||
Crowded House singles chronology | ||||
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Audio sample | ||||
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Music video | ||||
Don't Dream It's Over on YouTube |
"Don't Dream It's Over" became the band's biggest international hit, reaching No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in April 1987. The song reached No. 1 in Canada and in Finn's native New Zealand, while in Australia, it peaked at No. 8. In continental Europe, it reached No. 6 in Norway, No. 7 in the Netherlands, and No. 13 in Germany. At the 1986 Countdown Australian Music Awards the song was nominated for three awards, winning Best Video.[6][7]
In May 2001, the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) ranked "Don't Dream It's Over" second on its list of the Top 100 New Zealand songs of all time[8] and seventh on its list of the Top 100 Australian songs of all time.[9] In January 2018, as part of Triple M's "Ozzest 100", the 'most Australian' songs of all time, "Don't Dream It's Over" was ranked number 65.[10] The song has been recorded by other artists, including Paul Young, Sixpence None the Richer, and New Zealand artist Stan Walker—the latter producing a Māori version titled Moemoeā ("Dream").[11][12]
Composition
"Don't Dream It's Over" is written and composed in the key of E-flat major[13] and is set in the time signature of common time with a tempo of 82 beats per minute.
Reception
AllMusic described the song as a "majestic ballad".[14] Cash Box said "The easy going and pretty song camouflages a pained longing. Neil Finn's voice, recognisable from his stint with Split Enz, is reedy and expressive and full of irony."[15]
Music video
The music video for the song was created by Australian film production company Meaningful Eye Contact and was directed by Alex Proyas. It was filmed in Sydney at an abandoned theatre in Balmain. The video features some surreal special effects such as household objects—including shattering crockery—and film reels that float in the air, with lead singer Finn playing a guitar and walking through the same house during different time periods while his bandmates are either performing household chores or playing various backing instruments.[16] It was nominated for Best Group Video and Best Direction at the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards, and earned the group a Best New Artist award.[17]
Track listings
"Don't Dream It's Over", written by Neil Finn. "That's What I Call Love", written by Neil Finn and Paul Hester. All tracks on vinyl, from the album Crowded House except the extended version of "Don't Dream It's Over". All live tracks, recorded on Phil Jupitus Show at BBC GLR, 21 June 1996.
7-inch vinyl
- "Don't Dream It's Over" – 4:03
- "That's What I Call Love" – 3:39
12-inch vinyl
- "Don't Dream It's Over" (Extended version) – 6:10 (only in 12-inch vinyl single)
- "Don't Dream It's Over" – 4:03
- "That's What I Call Love" – 3:39
7-inch US vinyl (American Pie label)
- "Don't Dream It's Over" – 4:03
- "Something So Strong" – 2:51
1996 UK CD1
- "Don't Dream It's Over" – 3:53
- "Weather with You" (live) – 4:35
- "Into Temptation" (live) – 4:48
- "Locked Out" (live) – 2:04
1996 UK CD2
- "Don't Dream It's Over" – 3:53
- "Four Seasons in One Day" (live) – 3:08
- "In My Command" (live) – 4:14
- "Pineapple Head" (live) – 3:40
Personnel
- Neil Finn: lead vocals, guitars
- Nick Seymour: bass guitar
- Paul Hester: drums, backing vocals
- Mitchell Froom: keyboards and organ
- Tim Pierce: guitar
- Jorge Bermudez: percussion
- Noel Crombie, Jim Gilstrap, Andy Milton and Joe Satriani: backing vocals
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
New Zealand (RMNZ)[41] | 3× Platinum | 90,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[42] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Paul Young version
"Don't Dream It's Over" | ||||
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Single by Paul Young | ||||
from the album From Time to Time – The Singles Collection | ||||
B-side | "I Need Somebody" | |||
Released | 14 October 1991[43] | |||
Length | 3:56 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Songwriter(s) | Neil Finn | |||
Producer(s) | Dan Hartman | |||
Paul Young singles chronology | ||||
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In 1991, English musician Paul Young covered "Don't Dream It's Over" on his compilation From Time to Time – The Singles Collection. Young's version featured Paul Carrack singing the fourth verse and performing the keyboard and synthesizers.
Track listing
UK 7-inch and cassette single[44][45]
- "Don't Dream It's Over" (Neil Finn) – 3:56
- "I Need Somebody" (Paul Young) – 4:00
Charts
Chart (1991) | Peak position |
---|---|
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[46] | 48 |
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[47] | 30 |
France (SNEP)[48] | 27 |
Germany (Official German Charts)[49] | 71 |
Ireland (IRMA)[50] | 13 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[51] | 67 |
Norway (VG-lista)[52] | 6 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[53] | 25 |
UK Singles (OCC)[54] | 20 |
Sixpence None the Richer version
"Don't Dream It's Over" | ||||
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Single by Sixpence None the Richer | ||||
from the album Divine Discontent | ||||
B-side | "Don't Pass Me By" | |||
Released | 21 January 2003 | |||
Length | 4:03 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | Neil Finn | |||
Producer(s) | Rob Cavallo | |||
Sixpence None the Richer singles chronology | ||||
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"Don't Dream It's Over" was the second radio single released in promotion of the album Divine Discontent by Sixpence None the Richer. The commercial single release features the B-side "Don't Pass Me By," which was recorded during the sessions for Divine Discontent. Their version was also included in the 2003 compilation album Smallville: The Talon Mix.[55]
Track listing
US CD single[56]
- "Don't Dream It's Over" (radio edit) – 3:39
- "Don't Pass Me By" – 3:26
Charts
Chart (2003) | Peak position |
---|---|
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[57] | 24 |
US Billboard Hot 100[58] | 78 |
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[59] | 12 |
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[60] | 9 |
Release history
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States | 21 January 2003 | Hot adult contemporary radio | [61] | |
17 February 2003 | [62] |
Antonello Venditti version
Italian singer-songwriter Antonello Venditti interpreted an adaptation in Italian entitled Alta marea (High tide), inspired by Monte Argentario[63][64] and recorded for his 1991 album Benvenuti in paradiso (Welcome to Heaven), which remains one of his most-remembered songs to this day. A 16-year-old Angelina Jolie appears in the video.[65][66]
In popular culture
"Don't Dream It's Over" was prominently featured in the 1994 miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's novel The Stand.[67][68][69]
References
- Don't Dream It's Over (7-inch vinyl). Crowded House. Capitol Records. CP 1842.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - "Kent Music Report No 640 – 20 October 1986 > Singles: New Releases". Kent Music Report. Retrieved 30 November 2017 – via Imgur.
- White, Caitlin (14 May 2015). "Watch Miley Cyrus & Ariana Grande Cover Crowded House's "Don't Dream It's Over"". Stereogum. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
- "Crowded House [Capitol]". Torque. United Kingdom: SPH Magazines. February 2007. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
- Bailey, Marck; Comprehensive discography of Crowded House including track listings for all albums and singles. Released 28 March 1995. Retrieved 5 July 2007. Site offline after 2008.
- "Australian Music Awards". Ron Jeff. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
- "Final episode of Countdown". 1970scountdown. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- "Our top song - but vote kept a secret". The New Zealand Herald. 3 November 2001. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
- "The final list: APRA'S Ten best Australian Songs". APRA. 28 May 2001. Archived from the original on 8 March 2008. Retrieved 8 May 2008.
- "Here Are The Songs That Made Triple M's 'Ozzest 100'". Musicfeeds. 27 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
- "Watch: Stan Walker sing Don't Dream It's Over in Te Reo". Stuff. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
- McDonald, Kelvin (1 June 2019). "Stan Walker delights half-million followers". Te Ao. Māori Television. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
- Neil, Finn; Crowded House (4 October 2010). "Don't Dream It's Over". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
- Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Crowded House - Crowded House - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic.
- "New and Developing" (PDF). Cash Box. 6 June 1986. p. 7. Retrieved 8 December 2021 – via World Radio History.
- rvdgu2006. "Music video in". Dailymotion.com. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
- "MTV Video Music Awards". Mtv. 11 September 1987. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
- Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 78. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA between mid-1983 and 12 June 1988.
- "Crowded House – Don't Dream It's Over" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
- "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0804." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
- "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 0812." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
- "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Don't Dream It's Over". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
- "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 26, 1987" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
- "Crowded House – Don't Dream It's Over" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
- "Crowded House – Don't Dream It's Over". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
- "Crowded House – Don't Dream It's Over". VG-lista. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
- "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. 25 April 1987. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- "Adult Contemporary". Billboard. 16 May 1987. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- "Mainstream Rock Airplay". Billboard. 21 March 1987. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- "Offiziellecharts.de – Crowded House – Don't Dream It's Over" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
- "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
- "Australia Music Report No 701 – 28 December 1987 > National Top 100 Singles for 1987". Australian Music Report. Retrieved 11 December 2019 – via Imgur.
- "Jaaroverzichten 1987" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
- "Top 100 Singles of '87". RPM. Retrieved 14 May 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
- "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1987". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
- "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1987" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
- "The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Recorded Music NZ.
- "Top 100 Hits of 1987/Top 100 Songs of 1987".
- "New Zealand single certifications – Crowded House – Don't Dream It's Over". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
- "British single certifications – Crowded House – Don't Dream It's Over". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
- "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 12 October 1991. p. 25.
- Don't Dream It's Over (UK 7-inch single vinyl disc). Paul Young. Columbia Records. 1991. 657411 7.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - Don't Dream It's Over (UK cassette single sleeve). Paul Young. Columbia Records. 1991. 657411 4.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - "Paul Young – Don't Dream It's Over" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 46. 16 November 1991. p. 31.
- "Paul Young – Don't Dream It's Over" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- "Paul Young – Don't Dream It's Over" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Don't Dream It's Over". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- "Paul Young – Don't Dream It's Over" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- "Paul Young – Don't Dream It's Over". VG-lista. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- "Paul Young – Don't Dream It's Over". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- "Paul Young: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- Phares, Heather. Smallville: The Talon Mix at AllMusic
- Don't Dream It's Over (US CD single liner notes). Sixpence None the Richer. Reprise Records, Squint Entertainment. 2003. WD2-886260.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - "Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 30, saptamina 4.08-10.08, 2003" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on 18 February 2005. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- "Sixpence None the Richer Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- "Sixpence None the Richer Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- "Sixpence None the Richer Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1487. 17 January 2003. p. 24. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
- "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1491. 14 February 2003. p. 28. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
- Article Il Messaggero (it)
- Article la Repubblica (it)
- Angelina Jolie, sedicenne esordiente per il video di Venditti 'Alta marea' (it), from La Repubblica.
- Antonello Venditti - Alta Marea (Don't Dream It's Over) (videoclip), from YouTube
- "Stephen Kings The Stand Part 2 Dont Dream Its Over Clip". YouTube. 29 November 2008. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
- "1994's The Stand does not stand the test of time". 8 August 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
- "Revisiting 1994's The Stand Ahead of Its New Adaptation". 19 November 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.