Plastic Dreams

This article is about the song by Jaydee. For the album by the Modern Jazz Quartet, see Plastic Dreams (album).

"Plastic Dreams" is the debut single by producers Jaydee, initially released on R&S Records in 1992.^{[citation needed]} It was successful in European countries and also achieved success in the US, where it topped the Billboard charts in two different categories. American music critic Robert Christgau named it the best single of 1993 in his year-end list for the Pazz & Jop critics poll.^[6]

"Plastic Dreams"
Single by Jaydee
B-side	"Remix"
Released	1992 / 1993
Recorded	1992
Genre	House[1][2][3] trance[4] techno[5]
Length	3:05
Label	R&S Records, SPV, Scorpio Music, Epic, Scorpio, Spinnin'
Songwriter(s)	Robin Albers & DJ Jaydee
Producer(s)	Robin Albers & DJ Jaydee
Jaydee singles chronology
"Plastic Dreams" (1992) "Music Is So Special" (1994)
Music video
"Plastic Dreams" on YouTube

Composition and release

The song, an instrumental, features a prominent Hammond organ style synthesizer melody played in a jazzy, improvised manner. With some versions around ten minutes long, the song is known for giving dancers a good aerobic exercise workout.

In 1993, "Plastic Dreams" hit number-one on the US Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. The song continues to be remixed and re-released today by many artists, such as David Morales, mostly on unsolicited white labels. The track has made the British charts on more than one occasion, first in September 1997 when it reached number 18 and again in January 2004 when it reached number 35. In 1993, Epic Records (owned by Sony Music Entertainment) featured the song on the first edition of the compilation Welcome to the Future. Shortly after, Epic Records negotiated the acquisition of most rights associated with the song.

Critical reception

Ian Dinsmor from AllMusic said, "Considered an undying anthem within club culture, "Plastic Dreams" never fails to bring smiles and yells from dancefloor revelers. Recognizable immediately by its droning synth and rolling organ riffs, this track has become a classic late night staple at inner city clubs."^[7] Larry Flick from Billboard commented, "Robin Albers, the act's mastermind, cooks an appetizing stew of chunky tribal beats and free-form trance keyboard noodling. The track gets its edge from an aftertaste of subtle techno spice."^[8] British magazine Mixmag ranked it number 15 in its "100 Greatest Dance Singles Of All Time" list in 1996.^[9] Charlie Hall from Music Week's RM Dance Update commented, "More than 10 minutes of pure trancey groove. This is the first classic of '93, the most sexy bass and organ riffs strolling along — totally funky and chilled without losing any momentum or getting ambient. It builds and teases but never loses the groove."^[10] A reviewer from The Network Forty deemed it "a fierce trance track with very sparse vocals..."^[11]

Sherman at the Controls from NME noted, "A cavernous, hollow sound reverberates as a piping Doors-style organ skips in an out for over ten minutes iourneying ever deeper, ever darker. Quite an incredible fusion and Vibes SOTW. Number Two."^[12] James Hunter from Vibe wrote that the track "is a rave instrumental to compete with Herbie Hancock's "Rockit". The Jaydee touch—earthy in the keyboard melody, unstoppable and space-bound in the wave after wave of rhythm tracks—is warm, brave. Both "Trance" and "Tribal" mixes excel."^[13] American music critic Robert Christgau for The Village Voice named it the best single of 1993 in his year-end list for the Pazz & Jop critics poll.^[14]

Impact and legacy

American DJ, DJ Camacho, named "Plastic Dreams" one of his favourites in 1995, saying, "This has been out four or five years and it's still being played. It's guaranteed to get everyone on the floor, no matter what crowd you are playing to. It's another one of my favourite mixing records. I always carry this with me. I play soulful so I balance out the music with something else. This is a great techno record than can be played pitched down to minus 2 and then it just takes you on a trip. It's the only techno track that made it back here and it got picked up by Epic."^[15]

In 1996, English musician, DJ, and record producer Norman Cook also named it one of his favourites, adding, "The ultimate E-head record. Three records turned me on to house: this one, 'I'll Be Your Friend' by Robert Owens and 'A Deeper Love' by Clivilles & Cole."^[16] In 1997, American songwriter, record producer, DJ and singer Robert Owens picked the song as one of his all-time top-10 tracks. He explained, "This is hypnotic and sure to get the floor going every time. It came out around 1993. It's one of those slow, building kind of records that will always be around. A classic ahead of its time. It's something l've never taken out of my box."^[17]

Versions

1992 versions "Plastic Dreams" (Long Version) — 10:15 "Plastic Dreams" (Radio Edit) — 3:05 "Plastic Dreams" (Remix Radio Edit) — 4:40 "Plastic Dreams" (Trance Mix) — 6:55 "Plastic Dreams" (Tribal Mix) — 7:20 "Plastic Dreams" (Groove Mix) — 8:36 1995 versions "Plastic Dreams" (Rhythm Masters Remix) — 7:41 "Plastic Dreams" (Pascal F.E.O.S. Remix Part I) — 7:16 "Plastic Dreams" (Pascal F.E.O.S. Remix Part II) — 6:50 "Plastic Dreams" (The 2000 Remake) — 8:00 1997 versions "Plastic Dreams" (S & S radio mix) — 3:44 "Plastic Dreams" (Shahin & Simon Re-construction) — 6:30 "Plastic Dreams" (Funky Green Dub) (Murk) — 8:01 "Plastic Dreams" (Miami Heat Beats) (Murk) "Plastic Dreams" (Frank De Wulf Remix) — 6:55 "Plastic Dreams" (David Morales Remix) — 8:20 "Plastic Dreams" (David Morales Club Mix) — 11:02 "Plastic Dreams" (Bass & Drum Remix) (Morales) — 8:03 "Plastic Dreams" (Def Mix) (Morales) "Plastic Dreams" (David's Dream) (Morales) — 15:03 "Plastic Dreams" (Angel Moraes's Dream Mix) — 5:11 "Plastic Dreams" (Peshay Remix) — 8:24 "Plastic Dreams" (Hohner Retro Mix) — 6:09 "Plastic Dreams" (Mr YT Remix) — 6:53 "Plastic Dreams" (Boom Boom Satellites Remix) — 7:55 "Plastic Dreams" (T.C.'s Remix) (Tony Crooks) — 6:40 "Plastic Dreams" (Rainforest Mix) (Tony Crooks) — 6:44

2003 versions "Plastic Dreams" (Radio Edit) — 3:29 "Plastic Dreams" (MC Version) — 3:54 "Plastic Dreams" (Radio Edit) — 3:23 "Plastic Dreams" (2003 Remix) — 7:14 "Plastic Dreams" (ATFC 'Plastic Surgery' Remix) — 9:10 "Plastic Dreams" (Lee-Cabrera Remix) — 6:34 "Plastic Dreams" (Tayo & Acid Rockers Remix) — 7:20 "Plastic Dreams" (Twisted Individual Remix) — 5:53 "Plastic Dreams" (LSD Remix) — 12:03 2006 version "Plastic Dreams" (Switch Remix) — 7:09 2008 version "Plastic Dreams" (Wideboys Bassline Remix) — 5:00 2011 versions "Plastic Dreams" (Sergio Fernandez & JP Candela Remix) — 7:46 "Plastic Dreams" (Koen Groeneveld Remix) - 7:25 "Plastic Dreams" (Dino Lenny & Amnesia Remix) - 8:11 "Plastic Dreams" (Reborn Mix) - 8:21 "Plastic Dreams" (Sergio Fernandez & JP Candela Remix) - 7:44 "Plastic Dreams" (Folsch & Lanza Remix) - 6:36 "Plastic Dreams" (Housebangerz feat. MC Joe Remix) - 6:29 "Plastic Dreams" (Valley Mix) - 9:49 2012 version Audiojack - "Plastic Dreams" (20 Year Tribute) — 8:20 2016 version "Plastic Dreams" (Shadow Child Remix) — 6:03 2019 versions "Plastic Dreams" (Nicole Moudaber Renaissance Remix) — 9:08 The Cube Guys - "Plastic Dreams" (Cubed Remix 2020) — 6:01

Popular culture

• The song is featured in the 2005 video game Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories on the radio station Rise FM.
• The song is featured in the 2016 movie "Belgica" by director Felix van Groeningen.

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1992-1993) Peak position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[18] 20 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[19] 8 Europe (European Dance Radio)[20] 14 France (SNEP)[21] 25 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[22] 2 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[23] 34 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[24] 4 UK Dance (Music Week)[25] 11 US Hot Dance Club Play (Billboard)[26] 1 US Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard)[26] 1 Chart (1997) Peak position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[27] 38 Italy (Musica e dischi)[28] 16 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[29] 49 UK Singles (OCC)[30] 18 Chart (2003–2004) Peak position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[31] 25 Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[32] 17 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[33] 64 UK Singles (OCC)[34] 35 US Singles Sales (Billboard)[26] 19 Chart (2020) Peak position Hungary (Single Top 40)[35] 33

Year-end charts Chart (1993) Position Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[36] 65 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[37] 28

References

1. Blue, D. J. (1 February 2005). The Good Life Chronicles. AuthorHouse. ISBN 9781418488420. Retrieved 26 August 2017 – via Google Books.
2. RAPILLY, Frédérick (12 May 2016). David Guetta, no limit. edi8. ISBN 9782412015131. Retrieved 26 August 2017 – via Google Books.
3. "La playlist du dimanche #16 - Tsugi". 31 August 2016. Archived from the original on 31 August 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
4. Larkin, Colin (26 August 1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music. Virgin. ISBN 9780753502525. Retrieved 26 August 2017 – via Google Books.
5. "10 Years of Techno - Various Artists - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
6. Christgau, Robert (March 1, 1994). "Pazz & Jop 1993: Dean's List". The Village Voice. New York. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
7. Dinsmor, Ian. "Jaydee – Plastic Dreams Revisited". AllMusic. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
8. Flick, Larry (May 15, 1993). "Dance Trax: '4 The Love Of' Maurice; Remix Redux; Ultra Fine" (PDF). Billboard. p. 30. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
9. "The 100 Greatest Dance Singles of All Time". Mixmag. 1996. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
10. Hall, Charlie (January 16, 1993). "Hot Vinyl Buzzing" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 7. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
11. "Crossover: Music Meeting" (PDF). The Network Forty. May 7, 1993. p. 34. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
12. Sherman at the Controls (January 9, 1993). "Groove Check". NME. p. 26. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
13. Hunter, James (September 1, 1993). "Single File". Vibe. Retrieved March 2, 2020.^{[permanent dead link]}
14. Christgau, Robert (March 1, 1994). "Pazz & Jop 1993: Dean's List". The Village Voice. New York. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
15. "Jock On His Box" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). August 26, 1995. p. 5. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
16. "Jock On His Box" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). August 3, 1996. p. 5. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
17. "Jock On His Box" (PDF). Music Week, in RM. April 26, 1997. p. 5. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
18. "Jaydee – Plastic Dreams" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
19. "Jaydee – Plastic Dreams" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
20. "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media. September 25, 1993. p. 28. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
21. "Jaydee – Plastic Dreams" (in French). Les classement single.
22. "Jaydee — Plastic Dreams" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
23. "Jaydee – Plastic Dreams" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
24. "Jaydee – Plastic Dreams". Swiss Singles Chart.
25. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. April 3, 1993. p. 18. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
26. Billboard allmusic.com (Retrieved December 28, 2008)
27. "[Revisited&cat=s Jaydee – Plastic Dreams [Revisited]"] (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
28. "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved June 4, 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Jaydee".
29. "[Revisited&cat=s Jaydee – Plastic Dreams [Revisited]"]. Swiss Singles Chart.
30. UK Singles Chart (1997 release) Official Charts Company (Retrieved December 28, 2008)
31. "[2003&cat=s Jaydee – Plastic Dreams [2003]"] (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
32. "[2003&cat=s Jaydee – Plastic Dreams [2003]"] (in French). Ultratip.
33. "[2003&cat=s Jaydee – Plastic Dreams [2003]"] (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
34. UK Singles Chart (2003 release) Official Charts Company (Retrieved December 28, 2008)
35. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
36. "Jaaroverzichten 1993". Ultratop. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
37. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1993". hitparade.ch. Retrieved August 15, 2021.