Dreamer (Supertramp song)


"Dreamer" is a hit single from Supertramp's 1974 album Crime of the Century. It peaked at number 13 on the UK singles chart in February 1975. In 1980, it appeared on the band's live album Paris. This live version was also released as a single and hit number 15 on the US charts, number 36 in the Dutch Top 40, and number one on the Canadian Singles Chart. "Dreamer" also appeared on Hodgson's album, Classics Live, recorded on tour in 2010.

Background

"Dreamer" was composed by Roger Hodgson on his Wurlitzer piano at his mother's house when he was 19 years old. At that time he recorded a demo of the song using vocals, Wurlitzer, and banging cardboard boxes for percussion. Hodgson recalled, "I was excited – it was the first time I laid hands on a Wurlitzer." Supertramp cut their own recording of the song in imitation of this early demo.
The band performed the song on the BBC's Old Grey Whistle Test show in 1974, during which John Helliwell can be seen playing the rim of a wine glass on top of his keyboard to achieve a certain sound effect.
The song was used in the films The Parole Officer, Wild Thing, and The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, as well as the trailers for the latter and Robots.

Reception

Reviewing the live version in 1980, Billboard Magazine said that "Dreamer" has a "sweet pop melody, clear vocals and bubbly keyboards."

Track listings

1975: 7-inch single

Side one
  1. "Dreamer" – 3:33
Side two
  1. "Bloody Well Right" – 4:26

    1980: 7-inch single

US version

Side one
  1. "Dreamer" – 3:15
Side two
  1. "From Now On" – 6:44

    European version

Side one
  1. "Dreamer" – 3:15
Side two
  1. "You Started Laughing" – 3:50

    Personnel