Don't Dream It's Over

Composition

"Don't Dream It's Over" is composed in the key of E-flat major and is set in the time signature of common time with a tempo of 82 beats per minute. AudioCulture writer Michael Brown points to the song as a mainstream use of a type of strum developed among Māori guitarists in the 1930s called the "jingajik" or "party strum".

Reception

AllMusic described the song as a "majestic ballad". 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."

Music video

The music video for the song was produced by Australian film production company Meaningful Eye Contact and was directed by Alex Proyas. 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 Neil 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. The video was nominated for Best Group Video and Best Direction at the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards, and earned the band a Best New Artist award.

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

1. "Don't Dream It's Over" – 4:03
2. "That's What I Call Love" – 3:39

• 12-inch vinyl

1. "Don't Dream It's Over" (Extended version) – 6:10 (only in 12-inch vinyl single)
2. "Don't Dream It's Over" – 4:03
3. "That's What I Call Love" – 3:39

• 7-inch US vinyl (American Pie label)

1. "Don't Dream It's Over" – 4:03
2. "Something So Strong" – 2:51

• 1996 UK CD1

1. "Don't Dream It's Over" – 3:53
2. "Weather with You" (live) – 4:35
3. "Into Temptation" (live) – 4:48
4. "Locked Out" (live) – 2:04

• 1996 UK CD2

1. "Don't Dream It's Over" – 3:53
2. "Four Seasons in One Day" (live) – 3:08
3. "In My Command" (live) – 4:14
4. "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

Year-end charts

Certifications

Paul Young version

| B-side = I Need Somebody

In 1991, British musician Paul Young covered "Don't Dream It's Over" on his first compilation album, From Time to Time – The Singles Collection (1991). Young's version, released by Columbia Records, was produced by Dan Hartman, and featured Paul Carrack singing the fourth chorus and performing the keyboard and synthesizers.

Track listing

• UK 7-inch and cassette single

1. "Don't Dream It's Over" (Neil Finn) – 3:56
2. "I Need Somebody" (Paul Young) – 4:00

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Sixpence None the Richer version

| B-side = Don't Pass Me By

• Reprise
• Squint "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.

Track listing

• US CD single

1. "Don't Dream It's Over" (radio edit) – 3:39
2. "Don't Pass Me By" – 3:26

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Release history

Antonello Venditti version

Italian singer-songwriter Antonello Venditti performed an adaptation in Italian entitled "Alta marea" ("High Tide"), inspired by Monte Argentario and recorded for his 1991 album Benvenuti in paradiso (Welcome to Heaven), which remains one of his best-remembered songs to this day. A 16-year-old Angelina Jolie appears in the video.

In popular culture

"Don't Dream It's Over" was prominently featured in the 1994 miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's novel The Stand and in the Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story in which the song was also referenced in the episode of the same name.

References

References

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