"Dreams" is a song by English singer Gabrielle. It was written by Gabrielle and Tim Laws and produced by Richie Fermie for her debut studio album Find Your Way (1993). Originally, the song included a sample of the song "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman,[2] but because of copyright reasons the sample had to be removed.[3] Released as Gabrielle's debut single, "Dreams" entered the UK Singles Chart at number two, which was the highest chart entry a debut female solo act had scored in the United Kingdom at that time.[2] before reaching number one for three weeks in June 1993. The song also peaked at number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States while peaking at number-one on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart.
Larry Flick from Billboard described the song as a "gloriously romantic, uplifting pop/dance shuffler" with a "wildly infectious chorus, delivered with a sly, feline grace." He commented further that a "interplay of contrasting elements like acoustic strumming, hip-hop-styled beats, and disco strings works surprisingly well".[4] Tom Ewing from Freaky Trigger noted Gabrielle's voice as "soaked in personality" and complimented the production as "reassuringly professional, very close to the kind of powerpoint soul the Lighthouse Family would serve up later in the 90s."[5] Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report commented that Gabrielle's "warm vocal style is just right to complement the hook-laden melody that she co-wrote."[6]Irish Independent called it a "smooth debut pop single".[7]Knight Ridder described the song as "hypnotic".[8]Music & Media noted it as "immaculate" in their review of Find Your Way.[9]
Chart performance
In Europe, the song reached number-one in the United Kingdom on 20 June, 1993 and stayed there for three weeks. Before, it had entered the chart at number 2. At that time, it was the highest chart entry a debut female solo act had scored in the UK.[10] It was a Top 5 hit in Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Sweden and a Top 10 hit in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, the Netherlands and Switzerland. On the Eurochart Hot 100, "Dreams" reached its best position as number 6 on August 14. Outside Europe, the single peaked at number-one on the US BillboardDance Club Songs chart on October 23, and the Canadian RPM Dance/Urban chart. In addition, "Dreams" also peaked at number 2 in Australia and number 36 in New Zealand. The single received a gold record in the United Kingdom for 707,000 singles sold, and a platinum record in Australia with a sale of 70,000.
Music video
The music video for "Dreams" was directed by British photographer, fine artist and singer Kate Garner.[11] It was uploaded to YouTube in September 2013. In August 2020, the video has got more than 10,200,000 views.[12]