Don't Dream It's Over

Crowded House

About Don't Dream It's Over

"Don't Dream It's Over" is a song by the Australian rock band Crowded House, recorded for their 1986 self-titled debut studio album. The song was written by band frontman Neil Finn, and released in October 1986 as the fourth single from the album. The song, described by AllMusic as a "majestic ballad", became the band's biggest international hit, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States in April 1987. "Don't Dream It's Over" was also a great success in Finn's native country of New Zealand, where it peaked at Number 1. It also topped the charts in Canada, while in Australia it peaked at No. 8. In Continental Europe, it reached No. 6 in Norway, No. 7 in the Netherlands, and No. 13 in Germany. In America the single was topped only by "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" by Aretha Franklin and George Michael. In May 2001, the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) celebrated its 75th anniversary by naming the Best New Zealand and Best Australian songs of all time, as decided by APRA members and an industry panel. "Don't Dream It's Over" was ranked second on the New Zealand list and seventh on the Australian list. Nick Seymour said at the time of release, "You think the song is gloomy? The record's about not giving up hope and succumbing to the effects of the mass media and consumerism, but there's an over-riding positive view in all our songs."New Zealand artist Stan Walker began performing a Māori language version of the song while touring as support act for Beyonce in 2014. In June 2017, Walker performed a bi-linguage version of the track on television. Walker said "I sing it anywhere in the world because I feel it connects me back to home, and what it means, and I get to share that with the world and it is a world-class song."  


Year:
1987
4:00
102 
#3

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There is freedom within, there is freedom without
Try to catch the deluge in a paper cup
There's a battle ahead, many battles are lost
But you'll never see the end of the road
While you're traveling with me

Hey now, hey now
Don't dream it's over
Hey now, hey now
When the world comes in
They come, they come
To build a wall between us
We know they won't win

Now I'm towing my car, there's a hole in the roof
My possessions are causing me suspicion but there's no proof
In the paper today tales of war and of waste
But you turn right over to the T.V. page

Hey now, hey now
Don't dream it's over
Hey now, hey now
When the world comes in
They come, they come
To build a wall between us
We know they won't win

Now I'm walking again to the beat of a drum
And I'm counting the steps to the door of your heart
Only shadows ahead barely clearing the roof
Get to know the feeling of liberation and release

Hey now, hey now
Don't dream it's over
Hey now, hey now
When the world comes in
They come, they come
To build a wall between us
We know they won't win

Don't let them win (hey now, hey now, hey now, hey now)
Hey now, hey now
Don't let them win (they come, they come)
Don't let them win (hey now, hey now, hey now, hey now)

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Crowded House

Crowded House are a pop rock band formed in Melbourne, Australia in 1985 by lead-vocalist and primary songwriter, New Zealand-born Neil Finn. The other founding members were Australians Paul Hester and Nick Seymour. Later band members included Neil's brother Tim Finn and Americans Mark Hart and Matt Sherrod. Crowded House are referred to as The Crowdies by Australian fans. more »

1 fan

Written by: Neil Finn

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Band Formation
The song "Don't Dream It's Over" was performed by Crowded House, an Australian rock band that was formed in 1985. The band consists of New Zealander musicians Neil Finn (vocalist, primary songwriter, and guitarist), Paul Hester (drums), and Australian Nick Seymour (bass).
Songwriter
"Don't Dream It's Over" is written by Neil Finn. Finn is known for his poetic songwriting, which frequently draws heavy influence from New Zealand, his country of birth.
Chart Performance
The song was a major international success, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States in 1987. It also peaked at number one in New Zealand and Canada, and number eight in Australia.
Critical Reception
Critics have praised "Don't Dream It's Over" for its melody, introspective lyrics, and Finn's "dreamy" vocal style. It has frequently been interpreted as a ballad of resilience in the face of emotional adversity.
Awards
In 1987, the song won "Best Single" at the New Zealand Music Awards and it was nominated for "Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals" at the 1988 Grammy Awards.
Song Meaning
Though the song has been subject to various interpretations, Finn has stated that it's really about not giving up hope and not letting the struggles of life get you down.
Cover Versions
"Don't Dream It's Over" has been covered by numerous artists including Sixpence None the Richer, Paul Young, and Miley Cyrus & Ariana Grande. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless appeal.
Impact and Accolades
In 2001, the song was voted 7th best New Zealand song of all time by the Australasian Performing Right Association. The song was also featured in the TV series Californication and in the miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's novel Under the Dome.
Re-release
The song was re-released in 1996 in UK and Ireland and it again made it to the top 20 there.
Music Video
The music video for "Don't Dream It's Over," directed by Alex Proyas, features the band members performing the song in a small studio interspersed with surreal images, including a knitting woman and an ever-expanding living room. The video received heavy airplay on MTV upon its release and today remains a classic example of 1980s music video production.

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    Don't Dream It's Over

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1987

    Billboard #2


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