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The song, written by the band’s frontman Neil Finn, was released on Crowded House’s self-titled debut album in 1986 and became a worldwide hit. In this article, we will dive into the meaning, story, and legacy behind “Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House. Crowded House helped launch a new post-New Wave era in pop music in 1986, creating beautifully simple, earthy melodies driven by guitars rather than synths.
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When the organ solo comes, the windows of this house are suddenly arched and have stained glass. "Don't Dream It's Over" is a 1986 song by rock band Crowded House and is the fourth single from their debut studio albumCrowded House. It went to number 1 in Canada and New Zealand, number 2 in the United States, number 6 in Belgium and Norway, number 7 in the Netherlands, number 8 in Australia and number 13 in Germany. The song has become a constant companion throughout various phases of my life, always providing comfort and solace. It has accompanied me during times of uncertainty, reminding me to stay resilient and not give up on my dreams.
Music, Songs & Lyrics
The song reached North America a few months later, where it peaked at number 2 on the US charts and topped the Canadian charts. Someone later funnily remarked to Finn that if they had titled the song “Hey Now” it would’ve topped the US charts too. The verses of “Don’t Dream It’s Over” represent challenges and obstacles. The contrasting chorus of the song, which features the message “Don’t Dream It’s Over”, portrays a sense of hope and optimism.
The Music and Melody
“Don’t Dream It’s Over” is a song about remaining hopeful in the face of adversity. The song’s message seems to be told from the perspective of a relationship, with the narrator urging his loved one to not give up. He tells her that no matter how the world tries to bring them down, ‘we know they won’t win’. The Beatles were such a monumental force in pop music that for a decade after their disbanding, other musical acts seemed consciously to avoid their influence. In Split Enz, however, New Zealand’s Finn brothers, Tim and Neil, embraced it wholeheartedly (this was long before 1990s Britpop, when everyone was at it), and the influence carried over to Neil’s Australian band, Crowded House.
The Story Behind Crowded House’s “Hey Now, Hey Now” Anthem “Don’t Dream It’s Over”
The reference to a hole in the roof and possessions causing suspicion reflects the everyday struggles and uncertainties we all face. Despite these challenges, Finn encourages us to look to the hope and light offered by the simplicity of turning on the TV and escaping into another world. "Don't Dream It's Over" is written and composed in the key of E-flat major[13] and is set in the time signature of common time with a tempo of 82 beats per minute. As I journey through life, this song will always remain a constant reminder of the strength and possibility that lie within me. Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.
Through its thought-provoking lyrics, the song encourages us to hold on to our dreams, resist the walls that the world may try to build between us, and cherish the relationships that bring us liberation and release. Diving into the lyrics of “Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House, we find a deep and introspective message about freedom, resilience, and the importance of human connection. Released as the fourth single from their self-titled debut album in 1986, this song has since become an anthem for many, resonating with listeners across generations. The iconic “Don’t Dream It’s Over” is undoubtedly Crowded House’s signature song.
During initial release in 1987, it topped singles charts in Canada and New Zealand, reached number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100, and was also top 10 in Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands and Norway. Finn’s most iconic song is, without a doubt, “Don’t Dream It’s Over” – you know, the “Hey Now, Hey Now” song. It has transcended mere “classic” status over the years to become one of the most enduring music anthems of the past several decades, inspiring sing-alongs to this day. Neil wrote this song in less than 24 hours, something this podcast has revealed to be quite common for artists when creating their most lasting, signature songs.
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Through it all, Finn touches on his continuing “out of the box” musical journey, from Split Enz, to Crowded House, to solo artist, to Fleetwood Mac — and what’s next for it all. The accompanying video has Finn walking through a house in which other members of Crowded House are sitting around, sometimes playing their instruments. The house is a weatherboard; we even see a slice of toast spread with Vegemite.
And Finn continues to record as a solo artist as well, not to mention joining Fleetwood Mac in 2018. Additionally, the song’s call for human connection and the importance of cherishing our relationships with others deeply resonates within me. It serves as a reminder to nurture the connections that bring joy and light into our lives, as they can be a source of liberation and release. The chorus, which serves as the heart of the song, implores us not to give up or let go of our dreams. It reminds us that even when the world seems intent on building walls between us, we have the power to resist and overcome. The line “They come, they come to build a wall between us, we know they won’t win” celebrates the strength of human connection and the resilience of the human spirit.
Music has an undeniable impact on our emotions and helps us process complex feelings when words alone simply aren’t enough. One of the most powerful songs in this regard is “Don’t Dream It’s Over” by the New Zealand band Crowded House. With its memorable melody, haunting lyrics, and persistent optimism, this song has resonated with millions of people around the world since its release in 1986. In this article, we’ll explore the deeper meaning behind “Don’t Dream It’s Over” and how it speaks to our universal struggles and dreams. The fourth single from their self-titled debut album, “Don’t Dream It’s Over” is widely considered Crowded House’s signature song.
The lyrics of “Don’t Dream It’s Over” are both poetic and direct, speaking to the heart of what it means to be human. The opening lines (“There is freedom within, there is freedom without / Try to catch the deluge in a paper cup”) suggest that despite our limitations, we still have the capacity to find meaning and wonder in the world. The harmony is simple stuff (IV–V–I), but it’s effective so, like the first two lines of the verse, Finn repeats it. In fact he repeats the expanding “Hey now, hey now” line twice as the lyrics themselves expand (“They come, they come / To build a wall between us”). In conclusion, “Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House serves as a timeless anthem for resilience, freedom, and the power of human connection.
The music and melody of “Don’t Dream It’s Over” complement the lyrics perfectly, creating an atmosphere of both melancholy and beauty. The song’s instrumentation is sparse, with an acoustic guitar, a piano, and a subtle bass line forming the backbone of the song. The chorus then bursts forth with a soaring melody that elevates the song and carries the listeners along on a journey of hope and optimism. Crowded House released “Don’t Dream It’s Over” as a single on 20 October 1986.
The lyrics resonate with me deeply, serving as a reminder to embrace the freedom and possibilities available to me, even in the face of challenges. The chorus, with its powerful declaration that they won’t win, has been a source of strength during moments when it felt like the world was trying to tear me down. As we dissect the lyrics, the song paints a vivid picture of the complexities of life.
Old Time Music is proud to have such a passionate and talented team of writers who share their love for music with our readers. 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. According to Neil Finn, you can’t put a “paper cup” in a song without it being a reference to John Lennon. In the Beatles’ Across the Universe, it’s words that are flowing ‘like endless rain into a paper cup’. Neil Finn’s masterful songwriting continues to shine in the second verse, where he introduces a more personal element to the song.
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