"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" 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]
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]
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]
"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.
"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]
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]
^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.
^Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 78. ISBN0-646-11917-6. N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA between mid-1983 and 12 June 1988.
^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)
