"Dreams Tonite" is a song by Canadian indie pop band Alvvays. It was released on July 25, 2017 as the second single from the band's second studio album, Antisocialites.
| "Dreams Tonite" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Alvvays | ||||
| from the album Antisocialites | ||||
| Released | July 25, 2017[1] | |||
| Genre | Dream pop | |||
| Length | 3:16 | |||
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| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Alvvays singles chronology | ||||
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Background
edit"Dreams Tonite" forms the basis of the album's "fantasy breakup arc,"[2] with the protagonist questioning whether or not they would still be attracted to their significant other if meeting in the present, rather than the past.[3] The song first became a part of the group's live setlist in early 2016.[4] The band debuted the song online as a pre-release single for Antisocialites on July 25, 2017.[5] The band promoted the song with a performance on CBS Sunday Morning in the U.S.[6] "Dreams Tonite" became one of the band's most popular tunes; as of September 2024, the song has over 105 million streams on Spotify.[7]
Music video
edit
The song's retro-futuristic music video was directed by Matt Johnson, and uses archival footage of Montreal's 1967 International and Universal Exposition. It was released on September 13, 2017.[8] In the clip, the band's members are inserted into the footage digitally.[9] Mark Byrnes of Bloomberg described the proceedings: "While "visiting" Expo, the members ride the automated Minirail, gape at Buckminster Fuller's geodesic dome, and perform on an outdoor stage for fairgoers."[10] The band were pleased with the video, given their disdain for the format, especially due to their respect for Johnson.[11]
Reception
editAmanda Wicks from Pitchfork suggested the song "looks at the liminal space between [...] two frames of mind, questioning the forces that separate lovers, be they self-made or circumstantial."[12] Its readers polled the song among the year's overall best.[13] Tim Sendra from AllMusic praised the "lovely new wave ballad" for "its melancholy nostalgia."[14] Randall Colburn at Consequence called the song "relentless in its romanticism,"[15] while Anna Gaca of Spin dubbed it "light, literal dream pop that’s almost too pure for this world."[16] Mike Gatzig of NPR found the tune "sleek and gauzy,"[3] while Ethan Sapienza of Vulture found the song "somber", if "slightly clichéd".[17]
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[18] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
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‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ "Dreams Tonite - Alvvays - Releases". AllMusic. July 25, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ Bartleet, Larry (September 7, 2017). "Q&A: Alvvays' Molly Rankin on Oasis, MGMT, and new album 'Antisocialites'". NME. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ a b "Review: Alvvays, 'Antisocialites'". NPR.org. August 31, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ "Alvvays: Antisocialites". Pitchfork. September 7, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ Rettig, James (July 25, 2017). "Alvvays – "Dreams Tonite"". Stereogum. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ Gray, Julia (June 3, 2018). "Watch Alvvays Play 3 Songs On CBS This Morning". Stereogum. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ Olivier, Bobby (September 25, 2024). "On Alvvays' Thrilling Blue Rev, Nostalgia Spurs Indie-Rock Triumph". SPIN. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ "Watch Alvvays' New "Dreams Tonite" Video". Pitchfork. September 13, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ Rettig, James (September 13, 2017). "Alvvays – "Dreams Tonite" Video". Stereogum. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ "Montreal's Expo 67 Lives On (In Music Video Form)". Bloomberg. September 13, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ "Molly Rankin of Alvvays Talks Influences and Inspiration with KEXP". KEXP 90.3 FM - Where the Music Matters. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ Wicks, Amanda (July 26, 2017). "Alvvays: "Dreams Tonite"". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ "Pitchfork Readers' Poll Results 2017". Pitchfork. December 22, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ Sendra, Tim (September 8, 2017). "Alvvays - Antisocialites Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ Colburn, Randall (July 25, 2017). "Alvvays share heart-swelling new single "Dreams Tonite": Stream". Consequence. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ Gaca, Anna (July 25, 2017). "Alvvays – "Dreams Tonite"". SPIN. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ Jenkins, Craig; Bastién, Angelica Jade; Ebiri, Bilge; Willmore, Alison (July 26, 2017). "5 Best New Songs of the Week: Lana Del Rey, Tyler the Creator". Vulture. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Alvvays – Dreams Tonite". Music Canada. Retrieved December 3, 2022.