Songs About Dreams

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And I continue this November of reader requests. I was asked about this column back in October, and I… well, let's be honest – I forgot. I was reminded on Twitter, and thought, Yeah, that's a good one!. So, let's look at songs about dreams!


This is a very simple column idea – songs with variations of the word "dream" in the title. And this is one of those columns where I had to cut out some good songs otherwise this column would have been insanely long. Dreams have led to some simply great songs. One song per artist, dream in the title, I like the song… you know the drill by now. I also opted against songs from musicals (and – boy! – were there a lot of those) just because this list was hard enough as it was to compile.

Lots of songs about dreams!
'All I Have To Do Is Dream' by The Everly Brothers (1958)

Let's start with the glorious harmonies of the Everly Brothers and this gorgeous song that has been recorded by so many, though none have been as good as this. Just magnificent.
'Dream Lover' by Bobby Darin (1959)

While I do have trouble not thinking about the film Hot Shots when I hear this song, Bobby Darin's song and voice are so magnificent and full of love.
'Dream Baby' by Roy Orbison (1962)

Not a ballad, but a mid-tempo track from early in the Big O's career. Another song covered by many, but again, none as good as this version. His voice is incredible.
'Living In A Child's Dream' by Masters Apprentices (1967)

A bit of psychedelia from Adelaide's own Masters . They were a great band and had so many wonderful songs, and this dream-like one is one of their better ones, for sure.
'Dream A Little Dream Of Me' by Mama Cass (1968)

Much to the chagrin of the other members of The Mamas And The Papas, credited to Cass alone, but her vocals on this old tune (I also have a version by Doris Day) are great. One of the finest female vocalists of the rock era.
'Dreams Are Ten A Penny' by Kincade (1972)

A one-hit wonder, this song comes from that musical genre sometimes called "jaunty", but this is such an amazing ear-worm. This is a bit of fun in music form. I really like this.
'Dream On' by Aerosmith (1973)

From their debut album, this rock ballad is a bit of a surprise from the band, but that guitar playing is amazing and the vocals are smooth. A bit removed from 1980s poodle rock Aerosmith!
'Dreamer' by Supertramp (1974)

One of the best known – and, let's be honest, best – songs from Supertramp. This song not only captures the great singing but the magnificent musicianship of the band, as well as the intelligent lyrics they were known for.
'Dreams' by Fleetwood Mac (1977)

From the classic Rumours' album (I should write that one up), this beautiful song showcasing the glorious voice of Stevie Nicks , this is a beautiful song. And yet, it is one of so many great tunes from this band. Still, I do love this track.
'Dream Police' by Cheap Trick (1979)

And let's have a complete change of tempo! Cheap Trick had quite a few good songs, but this was the first one I heard (on one of those K-Tel compilations – Full Boar). And this weird video clip… Great rock track.
'Quasimodo's Dream' by The Reels (1981)

Another Australian band that made a few blips but unless you followed them, they seemed to fade. Again, it's the first song of theirs I heard, I love the dream-like way this is sung. And if you feel inclined, I recommend Kate Ceberano's cover version as well.
'Rock And Roll Dreams' by Jim Steinman (1981)

This is my favourite song ever. Bar none. Has been for well over thirty years. I love the lyrics, I love the piano, I even like the saxophone, and on the full version, that outro with the full choral singing is so magnificent. Best song ever. And it is a dream song, about your dreams coming true when you really need them to. Love this song. (FWIW, Meat Loaf does not do a bad version…)
'Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)' by Eurythmics (1983)

1980s UK new wave synth-pop goodness, with yet another magnificent female singer in Annie Lennox who also keeps appearing in my columns. She has such a wonderful voice and this song showcases it so well.
'I Can Dream About You' by Dan Hartman (1984)

He had a few hit songs, wrote a few more and then he seems to have faded from popular consciousness. But this song is so good. All but forgotten nowadays, it deserves to be remembered.
'Had A Dream (Sleeping With The Enemy)' by Roger Hodgson (1984)

Is this a cheat? Hodgson was the lead singer of Supertramp before going solo with the album this glorious track comes from. Oh well, it's my column. Another singularly epic and awesome piece of music. So incredibly good.
'These Dreams' by Heart (1985)

This was Heart's first number one single! After so many years of great songs, it took a power ballad to break through. Oh well, that does not matter when the song is this good.
'Dreams Of Ordinary Men' by Dragon (1986)

Dragon were so incredibly good. And this magnificent track showcases that. The lyrics do not entirely make sense, but still… "Everybody say, 'Amen!'" What a song.
'Don't Dream It's Over' by Crowded House (1986)

When Split Enz split and Crowded House formed in its wake, who would have thought they could have outdone the popularity of the other ship? But songs like this – which will get any Australian audience singing along – show why that happened. Neil Finn's lyrics and voice… so good.
'Your Wildest Dreams' by Moody Blues (1986)

After their 60s/70s heyday, no-one would have thought Moody Blues could have made it in the 80s… but they did, with 2 charting singles, of which this is one. The old orchestrations and strange lyrics are still there, as is Justin Hayward's great voice. Forgotten song; not fair.
'Dreams' by Van Halen (1986)

One of my favourite Van Halen tracks , this is a showcase for Sammy Hagar more than anything else, but there is still Eddie's great keyboard and guitar playing throughout. So good.
'Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car' by Billy Ocean (1988)

Billy Ocean had a string of great singles in the 80s and then… he just faded from the popular spotlight. While the lyrics could be seen as problematic through the lens of modern ideas, it is still a fun track.
'Angelica's Dream' by T.D.F. (1997)
Listen on MySpace
In the 1990s, Eric Clapton tried re-inventing himself a few times. This electronica group (TDF is Totally Dysfunctional Family) was one of those, a strange group where Clapton tried to go incognito. But it didn't work because the guitar playing gave it away. This is one of only 2 tracks from that album I really like, for what it's worth.
'Boulevard Of Broken Dreams' by Green Day (2004)

From the best album of 2004 comes one of the many, many awesome tracks released by Green Day. Thoughtful lyrics, great playing and decent singing. A truly great song.
'Wildest Dreams' by Taylor Swift (2014)

Regular readers will know that I have been a fan of Taylor Swift's last two albums, but 1989 was also a decent album. (So was Red…) And this dreamy, ethereal tune with the personal lyrics Swift is known for, is a highlight of 1989.
'Up From A Dream' by Haim (2020)

And let's finish with a recent album that I enjoyed – Women In Music Part III . This song, with its alarm clock motif, is another dreamy soundscape, the voices of the sisters meshing so well. What a great way to finish this list.
What happened in 1986 that made people want songs about dreams?! Well, apart from that odd little 4-song anomaly, a nice spread of years and decades – 1950s to 2020 – that should see at least one thing for everyone. Like I said, a lot of songs missed out, musicals missed out, and this was hard enough to cull to 25. So, if you have a favourite dream song, please let me know in the comments below.

And may your good dreams come true. Not that weird one where your car turns into a lemon meringue and all the trees start laughing at you. That dream is just strange. But the good dreams.

Hope the good dreams come true.


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