Don't Dream It's Over

"Don't Dream It's Over" is a song by rock band Crowded House, recorded for their 1986 self-titled debut studio album.^[6] 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"
Original 1986 Australian single[1]
Single by Crowded House
from the album Crowded House
B-side	"That's What I Call Love"
Released	20 October 1986 (1986-10-20)[2]
Studio	Capitol Recording, Sunset Sound Factory (Los Angeles)
Genre	Rock[3] pop[4] blue-eyed soul[5]
Length	3:55
Label	Capitol
Songwriter(s)	Neil Finn
Producer(s)	Mitchell Froom
Crowded House singles chronology
"Now We're Getting Somewhere" (1986) "Don't Dream It's Over" (1986) "Something So Strong" (1987)
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. 27 in the Netherlands, No. 13 in West Germany, and No. 25 in the United Kingdom. At the 1986 Countdown Australian Music Awards the song was nominated for three awards, winning Best Video.^[7][8]

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^[9] and seventh on its list of the Top 100 Australian songs of all time.^[10] 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.^[11] 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").^[12][13]

Composition

"Don't Dream It's Over" is written and composed in the key of E-flat major^[14] 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".^[15] 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."^[16]

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.^[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

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 Chart (1986–1987) Peak position Australia (Kent Music Report)[18] 8 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[19] 6 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[20] 1 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[21] 22 Ireland (IRMA)[22] 19 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[23] 5 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[24] 7 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[25] 1 Norway (VG-lista)[26] 6 UK Singles (OCC)[27] 27 US Billboard Hot 100[28] 2 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[29] 9 US Album Rock Tracks (Billboard)[30] 11 West Germany (GfK)[31] 13 Chart (1996) Peak position Scotland (OCC)[32] 23 UK Singles (OCC)[33] 25 Chart (2024) Peak position Global 200 (Billboard)[34] 130 Lithuania (AGATA)[35] 86 Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[36] 6 UK Singles (OCC)[37] 32 US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[38] 15

Year-end charts Chart (1987) Position Australia (Kent Music Report)[39] 54 Belgium (Ultratop)[40] 77 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[41] 34 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[42] 26 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[43] 44 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[44] 4 US Billboard Hot 100[45] 13

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[46]	9× Platinum	630,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[47]	5× Platinum	150,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[48]	Gold	30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[49]	Platinum	600,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Paul Young version

"Don't Dream It's Over"
Single by Paul Young
from the album From Time to Time – The Singles Collection
B-side	"I Need Somebody"
Released	14 October 1991 (1991-10-14)[50]
Length	3:56
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Neil Finn
Producer(s)	Dan Hartman
Paul Young singles chronology
"Both Sides, Now" (1991) "Don't Dream It's Over" (1991) "Come On In" (1991)

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, 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^[51][52]

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

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1991) Peak position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[53] 48 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[54] 30 France (SNEP)[55] 27 Germany (GfK)[56] 71 Ireland (IRMA)[57] 13 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[58] 67 Norway (VG-lista)[59] 6 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[60] 25 UK Singles (OCC)[61] 20

Year-end charts Chart (1991) Position Europe (European Hit Radio)[62] 77

Sixpence None the Richer version

"Don't Dream It's Over"
Single by Sixpence None the Richer
from the album Divine Discontent
B-side	"Don't Pass Me By"
Released	21 January 2003 (2003-01-21)
Length	4:03
Label	Reprise Squint
Songwriter(s)	Neil Finn
Producer(s)	Rob Cavallo
Sixpence None the Richer singles chronology
"Breathe Your Name" (2002) "Don't Dream It's Over" (2003) "My Dear Machine" (2008)

"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.^[63]

Track listing

• US CD single^[64]

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

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2003) Peak position Romania (Romanian Top 100)[65] 24 US Billboard Hot 100[66] 78 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[67] 12 US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[68] 9

Year-end charts Chart (2003) Position US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[69] 30 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[70] 39

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	21 January 2003	Hot adult contemporary radio	Reprise Squint	[71]
	17 February 2003	Contemporary hit adult contemporary radio		[72]

Antonello Venditti version

Italian singer-songwriter Antonello Venditti interpreted an adaptation in Italian entitled Alta marea (High tide), inspired by Monte Argentario^[73][74] 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.^[75][76]

In popular culture

"Don't Dream It's Over" was prominently featured in the 1994 miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's novel The Stand.^[77][78][79]

References

1. 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)
2. "Kent Music Report No 640 – 20 October 1986 > Singles: New Releases". Kent Music Report. Retrieved 30 November 2017 – via Imgur.
3. 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.
4. "Crowded House [Capitol]". Torque. United Kingdom: SPH Magazines. February 2007. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
5. Marsh, Dave (1989). The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made. Plume. p. 451. ISBN 0-452-26305-0.
6. 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.
7. "Australian Music Awards". Ron Jeff. Archived from the original on 15 June 2005. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
8. "Final episode of Countdown". 1970scountdown. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
9. "Our top song - but vote kept a secret". The New Zealand Herald. 3 November 2001. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
10. "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.
11. "Here Are The Songs That Made Triple M's 'Ozzest 100'". Musicfeeds. 27 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
12. "Watch: Stan Walker sing Don't Dream It's Over in Te Reo". Stuff. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
13. McDonald, Kelvin (1 June 2019). "Stan Walker delights half-million followers". Te Ao. Māori Television. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
14. Neil, Finn; Crowded House (4 October 2010). "Don't Dream It's Over". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
15. Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Crowded House - Crowded House - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic.
16. "New and Developing" (PDF). Cash Box. 6 June 1986. p. 7. Retrieved 8 December 2021 – via World Radio History.
17. "MTV Video Music Awards". Mtv. 11 September 1987. Archived from the original on 30 August 2008. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
18. 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.
19. "Crowded House – Don't Dream It's Over" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
20. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0804." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
21. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 0812." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
22. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Don't Dream It's Over". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
23. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 26, 1987" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
24. "Crowded House – Don't Dream It's Over" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
25. "Crowded House – Don't Dream It's Over". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
26. "Crowded House – Don't Dream It's Over". VG-lista. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
27. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
28. "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. 25 April 1987. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
29. "Adult Contemporary". Billboard. 16 May 1987. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
30. "Mainstream Rock Airplay". Billboard. 21 March 1987. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
31. "Offiziellecharts.de – Crowded House – Don't Dream It's Over" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
32. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
33. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
34. "Billboard Global 200: Week of October 19, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
35. "2024 42-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 18 October 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
36. "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 41". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
37. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
38. "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs: Week of October 26, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
39. "Australia Music Report No 701 – 28 December 1987 > National Top 100 Singles for 1987". Australian Music Report. Retrieved 11 December 2019 – via Imgur.
40. "Jaaroverzichten 1987" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
41. "Top 100 Singles of '87". RPM. Retrieved 14 May 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
42. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1987". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
43. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1987" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
44. "The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Recorded Music NZ.
45. "Top 100 Hits of 1987/Top 100 Songs of 1987 | Music Outfitters". Musicoutfitters.com.
46. "ARIA Top 50 Singles for week of 14 October 2024". Australian Recording Industry Association. 14 October 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
47. "New Zealand single certifications – Crowded House – Don't Dream It's Over". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
48. "Spanish single certifications – Crowded House – Don't Dream It's Over". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
49. "British single certifications – Crowded House – Don't Dream It's Over". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
50. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 12 October 1991. p. 25.
51. 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)
52. 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)
53. "Paul Young – Don't Dream It's Over" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
54. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 46. 16 November 1991. p. 31.
55. "Paul Young – Don't Dream It's Over" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
56. "Paul Young – Don't Dream It's Over" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
57. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Don't Dream It's Over". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
58. "Paul Young – Don't Dream It's Over" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
59. "Paul Young – Don't Dream It's Over". VG-lista. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
60. "Paul Young – Don't Dream It's Over". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
61. "Paul Young: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
62. "EHR Year-End Top 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 51–52. 21 December 1991. p. 20. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
63. Phares, Heather. Smallville: The Talon Mix at AllMusic
64. 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)
65. "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.
66. "Sixpence None the Richer Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
67. "Sixpence None the Richer Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
68. "Sixpence None the Richer Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
69. "The Year in Charts 2003: Most-Played AC Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 11, no. 51. 19 December 2003. p. 25.
70. "The Year in Charts 2003: Most-Played Adult Top 40 Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 11, no. 51. 19 December 2003. p. 22.
71. "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1487. 17 January 2003. p. 24. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
72. "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1491. 14 February 2003. p. 28. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
73. "Da Samantha De Grenet in barca a vela a Max Gazzè, un mare di vip all'Argentario". Ilmessaggero.it. 30 July 2018.
74. "La meglio gioventù di Venditti in vacanza senza fissa dimora". Ricera.repubblica.it. 31 July 2004.
75. Angelina Jolie, sedicenne esordiente per il video di Venditti 'Alta marea' (it), from La Repubblica.
76. Antonello Venditti - Alta Marea (Don't Dream It's Over) (videoclip), from YouTube
77. "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.
78. "1994's The Stand does not stand the test of time". 8 August 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
79. "Revisiting 1994's The Stand Ahead of Its New Adaptation". 19 November 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.