The first single from The Cranberries was Dreams. In the charts, she succeeded less than the track Linger from the same debut studio album Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?, which did not prevent her from becoming one of the group’s most famous works.
The touching ballad appealed to filmmakers. They vying with each other rushed to include it in the soundtracks of films, thanks to which the song is loved not only by fans of Irish rockers.
Dreams by The Cranberries Song Story
The lyrics were written by Dolores O’Riordan and the music was composed by Noel Hogan. Noel recalled how she was born:
Dreams was from early. Perhaps, although I’m not sure, somewhere in the fourth or fifth song, but definitely one of the early ones. Again, it was just a very simple tune that we wrote, and it was written really fast.
Dolores talked about who the Dreams song is about:
I wrote it about my first love when I lived in Ireland. It’s about how you feel when you first truly fall in love.
SongFacts.com, 2017
Let’s also listen to Fergal Lawler:
I remember when we were writing it, Noel suggested chords, and as soon as they started, I said: “This is something else.” The demo isn’t really that different from the one on the album, but the album version is a little more pop, a little livelier. At that time we often listened to Peter Gabriel’s album Passion and a lot of world music. Undoubtedly, this had an influence on the song.
Cranberries Special, Hot Press, 2002
Release Dreams
The Dreams single was released on September 29, 1992, six months before the release of Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? In April 1994, the band re-released the single.
It entered several Billboard charts, peaking at number 42 on the Hot 100. On the UK Singles Chart, the track peaked at number 27.
Dreams – The Cranberries Video Meaning
Three music videos were made for the song. In the first clip, close-ups of the band members replace each other on the screen.
The following video clip of Dreams features Dolores performing the song in a dimly lit room. This video was most often seen on MTV.
Also known is the Dreams video directed by Nico Soultanakis.
For the album Something Else (2017), the rock band The Cranberries recorded an acoustic version of Dreams.
Cover versions and soundtracks
The song has been recorded by several solo artists and bands, including Passion Pit and Dario G.
Wong Faye’s version in Cantonese was featured on the soundtrack of the film Chungking Express, which starred the singer herself.
Dreams also sounds in the films “Another Karate Legend” (The Next Karate Kid), “Mission Impossible” (Mission: Impossible) and a dozen other films and series.
Interesting Facts
- Backing vocals on the song are by Mike Mahoney, Dolores O’Riordan’s ex-boyfriend.
- The Cranberries performed Dreams at the 1994 Woodstock Revival.
- The band often ended their live performances with the song Dreams.
Dreams Lyrics
Noel Hogan, Dolores O’Riordan
Oh my life is changing every day
In every possible way
And oh my dreams
It’s never quite as it seems
Never quite as it seems
I know I’ve felt like this before
But now I’m feeling it even more
Because it came from you
And then I open up and see
The person falling here is me
A different way to be
I want more, impossible to ignore
Impossible to ignore
And they’ll come true, impossible not to do
Impossible not to do
And now I tell you openly
You have my heart, so don’t hurt me
You’re what I couldn’t find
A totally amazing mind
So understanding and so kind
You’re everything to me
Oh my life is changing every day
In every possible way
And oh my dreams
It’s never quite as it seems
‘Cause you’re a dream to me
dream to me
Dreams Lyrics
Noel Hogan, Dolores O’Riordan Alternative
Oh my life is changing every day
In every possible way
And these are my dreams
It’s not as calm as it seems
Never calm as it seems
I know I’ve had these feelings before
But now they’re even stronger
Cause they’re caused by you
And then I open up and realize
What am I falling here
Unusual lifestyle
I want more, it can’t be ignored
Can’t be ignored
And they will come true, otherwise it cannot be,
Otherwise it cannot be
And now I’m talking to you frankly
My heart is in your hands so don’t hurt me
You are what I couldn’t find
Absolutely amazing mind
So understanding and kind
You are all for me
Oh my life is changing every day
In every possible way
And these are my dreams
It’s not as calm as it seems
Because you are my dream,
My dream
