Punching in a Dream

"Punching in a Dream" is a song by New Zealand indie electronic band the Naked and Famous from their debut studio album, Passive Me, Aggressive You (2010). It was released on 23 August 2010 as the album's third single.^[3] The song debuted and peaked at number 11 on the New Zealand chart.^[4]

"Punching in a Dream"
Single by the Naked and Famous
from the album Passive Me, Aggressive You
B-side	"Wild"
Released	23 August 2010 (2010-08-23)
Genre	Synth-pop[1] dream pop[2]
Length	3:33
Label	Somewhat Damaged
Songwriter(s)	Thomas Powers Alisa Xayalith Aaron Short
Producer(s)	Thomas Powers Aaron Short
The Naked and Famous singles chronology
"Young Blood" (2010) "Punching in a Dream" (2010) "Girls Like You" (2011)

In popular culture

The single was featured in the episodes "Kill or Be Killed" and "Our Town" of The Vampire Diaries and in 2011 comedy Getting That Girl. It also appears on the soundtrack for EA Sports game, FIFA 12^[5] and season 1 episode 7 of the show World of Jenks.^[6] The song is frequently used as the pre-match tune on Foxsports A-League coverage. It can also be heard in a car commercial for the 2012 GMC Terrain.^[7] The song can also be heard briefly in the short film Kony 2012.^[8] The song was used on the British series Made in Chelsea in 2011, and also in the 2012 film Pitch Perfect. The song was also used in the 2012 game Forza Horizon, as part of the Horizon Pulse radio station, which only plays indie music.

The music can also be heard during the Made in Chelsea General Hospital Sketch in Series 2, Episode 2 of British sketch comedy show Watson and Oliver.

Track listings

Digital download "Punching in a Dream" – 3:33 UK digital download "Punching in a Dream" (Single version) – 3:34 "Punching in a Dream" (Music video) – 3:33

Digital download "Punching in a Dream" (Single Version) – 3:34 UK limited edition 7" single A. "Punching in a Dream" – 3:34 B. "Wild" – 3:53 Stripped version "Punching in a Dream" (Stripped) – 3:28

Charts

Chart (2010–12)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)[9]	56
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[10]	37
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[11]	20
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[4]	11
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[12]	135
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[13]	18
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[14]	33

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
New Zealand	23 August 2010	Digital download	Somewhat Damaged	[3]
Denmark	5 December 2010		Somewhat Damaged Polydor	[15]
Netherlands				[16]
Norway				[17]
Sweden				[18]
United Kingdom				[19]
	6 December 2010	7-inch single	Fiction Polydor	[20]
Australia	15 December 2017	Digital download – Stripped	Island	[21]
New Zealand				[22]

References

1. Weisz, Ben (2011). "The Naked & Famous – Passive Me, Aggressive You". musicOMH. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
2. Harley, Kevin (3 March 2011). "Review of The Naked and Famous – Passive Me, Aggressive You". BBC Music. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
3. "Punching in a Dream – Single by The Naked and Famous". iTunes Store. New Zealand. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
4. "The Naked and Famous – Punching in a Dream". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
5. Trapara, Nemanja (12 September 2011). "FIFA 12 soundtrack featuring 39 artists from 15 countries". EA Sports Football. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
6. "World of Jenks " Season 1 " Songs From the Show " Ep. 107". Archived from the original on 6 September 2012.
7. "2012 GMC Terrain commercial".
8. "KONY 2012". Retrieved 2 December 2013 – via YouTube.
9. "ARIA Top 100 Singles – Week Commencing 7th February 2011" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
10. "The Naked and Famous – Punching in a Dream" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
11. "The Naked and Famous – Punching in a Dream" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
12. Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK – Weekly Updates Sales 2011". Zobbel. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
13. "The Naked and Famous Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
14. "The Naked and Famous Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
15. "iTunes - Music - Punching in a Dream - Single by The Naked and Famous". itunes.apple.com. 2 December 2010. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
16. "iTunes - Muziek - 'Punching in a Dream - Single' van The Naked and Famous". itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
17. "iTunes Store". itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
18. "iTunes - Musik - Punching in a Dream - Single av The Naked and Famous". itunes.apple.com. 2 December 2010. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
19. "iTunes Store". itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
20. "Punching in a Dream – Limited Edition Clear Vinyl". Fiction Records. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
21. "Punching in a Dream (Stripped) – Single by The Naked and Famous". iTunes Store (AU). Apple. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
22. "Punching in a Dream (Stripped) – Single by The Naked and Famous". iTunes Store (NZ). Apple. Retrieved 5 March 2018.