"Dreams" is a song by English singer Gabrielle. It was written by Gabrielle and Tim Laws and produced by Richie Fermie for her debut studio albumFind Your Way. Originally, the song included a sample of the song "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman, but because of copyright reasons the sample had to be removed. Released as Gabrielle's debut single, "Dreams" entered the UK Singles Chart at number two, which was the highest chart entry a debut female solo act had scored in the United Kingdom at that time. before reaching number one for three weeks in June 1993. The song also peaked at number 26 on the BillboardHot 100 chart in the United States while peaking at number-one on Billboards Hot Dance Club Play chart. "Dreams" is widely seen as Gabrielle's signature song and its lyrics inspired as the title of her greatest hits compilation Dreams Can Come True, Greatest Hits Vol. 1. The song was later sampled by the More Fire Crew on their 2002 single "Dreams" and is featured heavily in the 1999Paul Thomas Anderson film Magnolia, where William H. Macy's downtrodden character Donnie Smith plays the song repeatedly as a motivational aid. It is also used in the trailer for the 2000 filmPurely Belter. In 2013, Gabrielle re-recorded the track with producer Naughty Boy for her compilation album .
Critical reception
from Billboard described the song as a "gloriously romantic, uplifting pop/dance shuffler" with a "wildly infectious chorus, delivered with a sly, feline grace." He commented further that a "interplay of contrasting elements like acoustic strumming, hip-hop-styled beats, and disco strings works surprisingly well". Tom Ewing from Freaky Trigger noted Gabrielle's voice as "soaked in personality" and complimented the production as "reassuringly professional, very close to the kind of powerpoint soul the Lighthouse Family would serve up later in the 90s." Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report commented that Gabrielle's "warm vocal style is just right to complement the hook-laden melody that she co-wrote." Irish Independent called it a "smooth debut pop single". Knight Ridder described the song as "hypnotic". Music & Media noted it as "immaculate" in their review of Find Your Way.
Track listings
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Chart
Position
Australia
89
Canada Dance/Urban
5
US Billboard Hot 100
75
Certifications
Other versions
In 2008, a dance version with male verses was released by FNP.
In 2013, Gabrielle herself re-recorded the track with producer Naughty Boy. It can be found on her album .
In 2017, UK producer Alex Ross released a cover, featuring vocals by Dakota and a rap verse from T-Pain.
