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| B-side = {{ubl|"Sound-A-Sleep"|"Living in the Real World"}}
| B-side = {{ubl|"Sound-A-Sleep"|"Living in the Real World"}}
| released = September 14, 1979
| released = September 14, 1979
| format = 7" single
| recorded =
| recorded =
| studio =
| studio =
| venue =
| venue =
| genre =
| genre = [[Power pop]]<ref>{{cite journal |title=Billboard 14 December 2002 |journal=Billboard |editor=Danyel Smith |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |year=2002 |issn=0006-2510}} "The near-capacity crowd (...) then went wild when they heard Burke's unmistakable drum roll intro to "Dreaming," perhaps the band's definitive power-pop single."</ref>
* [[Power pop]]<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Billboard 14 December 2002 |magazine=Billboard |editor=Danyel Smith |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |year=2002 |issn=0006-2510}} "The near-capacity crowd (...) then went wild when they heard Burke's unmistakable drum roll intro to "Dreaming," perhaps the band's definitive power-pop single."</ref><ref name= "Pitchfork Staff 2016">{{cite web|last= Pitchfork Staff |title= The 200 Best Songs of the 1970s |website= [[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date= August 22, 2016 |url= https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/9935-the-200-best-songs-of-the-1970s/?page=6|quote= The third is the workaday wistfulness (the real mark of ABBA) that underlies the best power-pop and pop-punk tracks.|accessdate= October 13, 2022}}</ref>
* [[pop-punk]]<ref name= "Pitchfork Staff 2016"/>
| length = 3:08
| length = 3:08
| label = [[Chrysalis Records|Chrysalis]]
| label = [[Chrysalis Records|Chrysalis]]
| writer = [[Chris Stein]], [[Debbie Harry]]
| writer = *[[Chris Stein]]
*[[Debbie Harry]]
| producer = [[Mike Chapman]]
| producer = [[Mike Chapman]]
| prev_title = [[One Way or Another]]
| prev_title = [[One Way or Another]]
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}}
}}


"'''Dreaming'''" is a song by American [[New wave music|new wave]] band [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]]. Released in 1979, the song was the opening track from their fourth album ''[[Eat to the Beat]]''.<ref>{{cite web |work=[[Rolling Stone]] |title=Eat to the Beat |first=Debra |last=Rae Cohen |date=November 30, 1983 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/eat-to-the-beat-19831130}}</ref> Written by guitarist [[Chris Stein]] and singer [[Debbie Harry]], the song was inspired by [[ABBA]]'s hit single "[[Dancing Queen]]." The song also features active drum performance by drummer [[Clem Burke]], who did not expect the final recording to feature his busy drum track.
"'''Dreaming'''" is a song by American [[New wave music|new wave]] band [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]]. Released in 1979, the song was the opening track from their fourth album ''[[Eat to the Beat]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |title=Eat to the Beat |first=Debra |last=Rae Cohen |date=November 30, 1983 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/eat-to-the-beat-19831130}}</ref> Written by guitarist [[Chris Stein]] and singer [[Debbie Harry]] and partially inspired by [[ABBA]]'s "[[Dancing Queen]]," the song also features an active drum performance by drummer [[Clem Burke]], who did not expect the final recording to feature his busy drum track.


"Dreaming" was released as the lead single from ''Eat to the Beat'' in September 1979, reaching number two on the [[UK singles chart]] and number 27 on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. The band saw this as a disappointing performance, though the song remained one of the band's highest charting singles to that point. The song's single release was also accompanied by a music video.
"Dreaming" was released as the lead single from ''Eat to the Beat'' in September 1979, reaching number two on the [[UK singles chart]] and number 27 on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. The band saw this as a disappointing performance, though the song remained one of the band's highest charting singles to that point. The song's single release was also accompanied by a music video.
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== Background ==
== Background ==
The lyrics for "Dreaming" originated from the line "dreaming is free", which band member [[Chris Stein]] thought of.<ref name=songfacts>{{cite web |title=Dreaming |url=http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=33448 |website=songfacts.com}}</ref> After hearing the music for the song that Stein wrote, [[Debbie Harry]] wrote the rest of the lyrics.<ref name=songfacts /> Harry explained the process of writing the lyrics in an interview with ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', saying "Sometimes Chris will come up with a track or a feel and pass it on to me, and he'll say, 'I was thinking 'Dreaming/Dreaming is free',' and then I'll fill it out with a story line or some more phrases. A lot of times it's the rhythm track that suggests what the lyric is going to be. I like working like that."<ref name="american songwriter">{{cite web |last1=Beviglia |first1=Jim |title=Behind the Song: Blondie, "Dreaming" |url=https://americansongwriter.com/behind-the-song-blondie-dreaming/ |website=American Songwriter |publisher=ForASong Media, LLC |accessdate=24 March 2019}}</ref>
The lyrics for "Dreaming" originated from the line "dreaming is free", which band member [[Chris Stein]] thought of.<ref name=songfacts>{{cite web |title=Dreaming |url=http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=33448 |website=songfacts.com}}</ref> After hearing the music for the song that Stein wrote, [[Debbie Harry]] wrote the rest of the lyrics.<ref name=songfacts /> Harry explained the process of writing the lyrics in an interview with ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', saying "Sometimes Chris will come up with a track or a feel and pass it on to me, and he'll say, 'I was thinking 'Dreaming/Dreaming is free',' and then I'll fill it out with a story line or some more phrases. A lot of times it's the rhythm track that suggests what the lyric is going to be. I like working like that."<ref name="american songwriter">{{cite web |last1=Beviglia |first1=Jim |title=Behind the Song: Blondie, "Dreaming" |url=https://americansongwriter.com/behind-the-song-blondie-dreaming/ |website=American Songwriter |publisher=ForASong Media, LLC |access-date=24 March 2019}}</ref>


Musically, "Dreaming" is a fast-paced new wave song. Stein has since claimed that "Dreaming" is "pretty much a cop" of "[[Dancing Queen]]" by [[ABBA]]; he continued, "I don't know if that was where we started, or if it ended just happening to sound like that."<ref name=songfacts /><ref name="american songwriter" /> Michael Gallucci of ''[[Townsquare Media|Ultimate Classic Rock]]'' said the song "tak[es] a cue from [[Phil Spector]]'s [[Wall of Sound]]."<ref name="ucr top 10">{{cite web |last1=Gallucci |first1=Michael |title=Top 10 Blondie Songs |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/blondie-songs/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |publisher=Townsquare Media |accessdate=24 March 2019}}</ref> ''[[Billboard Magazine]]'' described "Dreaming" as a "driving rocker that moves with [[rollercoaster]] intensity" and described Harry's lead vocals as "mesmerizing."<ref>{{cite news|title=Top Single Picks|date=September 29, 1979|page=71|newspaper=Billboard Magazine|accessdate=2020-07-07|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1979/Billboard%201979-09-29.pdf}}</ref>
Musically, "Dreaming" is a fast-paced new wave song. Stein has since claimed that "Dreaming" is "pretty much a cop" of "[[Dancing Queen]]" by [[ABBA]]; he continued, "I don't know if that was where we started, or if it ended just happening to sound like that."<ref name=songfacts /><ref name="american songwriter" /> Michael Gallucci of ''[[Townsquare Media|Ultimate Classic Rock]]'' said the song "tak[es] a cue from [[Phil Spector]]'s [[Wall of Sound]]."<ref name="ucr top 10">{{cite web |last1=Gallucci |first1=Michael |title=Top 10 Blondie Songs |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/blondie-songs/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |date=July 2015 |publisher=Townsquare Media |access-date=24 March 2019}}</ref> ''[[Billboard Magazine]]'' described "Dreaming" as a "driving rocker that moves with [[rollercoaster]] intensity" and described Harry's lead vocals as "mesmerizing."<ref>{{cite news|title=Top Single Picks|date=September 29, 1979|page=71|newspaper=Billboard Magazine|access-date=2020-07-07|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1979/Billboard%201979-09-29.pdf}}</ref>


According to the band's keyboardist [[Jimmy Destri]], the song, like many from the ''Eat to the Beat'' album, was recorded live in the studio.<ref name=ParallelLinesBook>{{cite book |last1=Porter |first1=Dick |last2=Needs |first2=Kris |title=Blondie: Parallel Lines |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tHT_AgAAQBAJ&q=Dreaming&pg=PT233 |isbn=9780857127808 |date=2017-02-13}}</ref> The song also features a frantic drum performance written by drummer [[Clem Burke]].<ref name="clem burke interview">{{cite web |last1=Kramer |first1=Barry L. |title=Clem Burke's interview with the fans |url=https://www.blondie.net/clem-burkes-interview-with-the-fans/ |website=blondie.net |accessdate=24 March 2019}}</ref> Burke said of his drumming on the song:
According to the band's keyboardist [[Jimmy Destri]], the song, like many from the ''Eat to the Beat'' album, was recorded live in the studio.<ref name=ParallelLinesBook>{{cite book |last1=Porter |first1=Dick |last2=Needs |first2=Kris |title=Blondie: Parallel Lines |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tHT_AgAAQBAJ&q=Dreaming&pg=PT233 |isbn=9780857127808 |date=2017-02-13|publisher=Omnibus Press }}</ref> The song also features a frantic drum performance written by drummer [[Clem Burke]].<ref name="clem burke interview">{{cite web |last1=Kramer |first1=Barry L. |title=Clem Burke's interview with the fans |url=https://www.blondie.net/clem-burkes-interview-with-the-fans/ |website=blondie.net |access-date=24 March 2019 |archive-date=December 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205122625/https://www.blondie.net/clem-burkes-interview-with-the-fans/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Burke said of his drumming on the song:


{{quote|The reason why 'Dreaming' came out the way it did is because [producer [[Mike Chapman]]] really gave me free rein and it was really a surprise. That take of 'Dreaming' was just me kind of blowing through the song. It's not like I expected that to be the take. I was consciously overplaying just for the sake of it because it was a run-through."<ref name=ParallelLinesBook />}}
{{blockquote|The reason why 'Dreaming' came out the way it did is because [producer [[Mike Chapman]]] really gave me free rein and it was really a surprise. That take of 'Dreaming' was just me kind of blowing through the song. It's not like I expected that to be the take. I was consciously overplaying just for the sake of it because it was a run-through."<ref name=ParallelLinesBook />}}


== Release ==
== Release ==
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"Dreaming" has since been featured on multiple compilation albums, such as ''[[The Best of Blondie]]'', ''[[The Complete Picture: The Very Best of Deborah Harry and Blondie]]'', ''[[Atomic: The Very Best of Blondie]]'', and ''[[Greatest Hits Deluxe Redux]]''. Blondie re-recorded the song for the 2014 compilation album ''Greatest Hits Deluxe Redux''.
"Dreaming" has since been featured on multiple compilation albums, such as ''[[The Best of Blondie]]'', ''[[The Complete Picture: The Very Best of Deborah Harry and Blondie]]'', ''[[Atomic: The Very Best of Blondie]]'', and ''[[Greatest Hits Deluxe Redux]]''. Blondie re-recorded the song for the 2014 compilation album ''Greatest Hits Deluxe Redux''.


In 2019 "Dreaming" was used as the opening credits theme song for the third and final season of the [[HBO]] drama ''[[The Deuce (TV series)|The Deuce]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Murray |first1=Noel |title=The Deuce's final season kicks off with a trip to Vegas, deep into the '80s |url=https://tv.avclub.com/the-deuce-s-final-season-kicks-off-with-a-trip-to-vegas-1837973966 |website=The A.V. Club |accessdate=24 May 2020}}</ref>
In 2019 "Dreaming" was used as the opening credits theme song for the third and final season of the [[HBO]] drama ''[[The Deuce (TV series)|The Deuce]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Murray |first1=Noel |title=The Deuce's final season kicks off with a trip to Vegas, deep into the '80s |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-deuce-s-final-season-kicks-off-with-a-trip-to-vegas-1837973966 |website=The A.V. Club |date=September 10, 2019 |access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref>

In 2024, the song appears on the soundtrack of the [[Palme d'Or]] winning [[Sean Baker (filmmaker)|Sean Baker]] sex comedy film ''[[Anora (film)|Anora]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pilley |first=Max |date=2024-11-02 |title=Here's every song on the 'Anora' soundtrack |url=https://www.nme.com/news/film/heres-every-song-on-the-anora-soundtrack-3809026 |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref>


== Reception ==
== Reception ==
Since its release, "Dreaming" has seen critical acclaim from music writers. Stewart Mason of [[AllMusic]] praised Stein's guitarwork and Burke's drumming on the song, writing of the latter, "It's an amazing performance, possibly the most over-the-top effort by a rock & roll drummer in the entire 1970s, and a must to hear."<ref name="am song">{{cite web |last1=Mason |first1=Stewart |title=Dreaming - Blondie {{!}} Song Info {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/dreaming-mt0054341412 |website=AllMusic |accessdate=22 September 2020 |language=en-us}}</ref> Debra Rae Cohen of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' wrote that {{"'}}Dreaming' makes the keynote statement [of ''Eat to the Beat'']."<ref name="rs eat to the beat">{{cite web |last1=Cohen |first1=Debra Rae |title=Eat To The Beat |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/eat-to-the-beat-100953/ |website=Rolling Stone |accessdate=22 September 2020 |date=30 November 1983}}</ref> Christian John Wikane of ''[[PopMatters]]'' praised Harry's vocals on the song, writing, "She sings with a vocal power unknown to audiences, at the time, who were only familiar with the synthetic thrills on '[[Heart of Glass (song)|Heart of Glass]].{{'"}}<ref name="popmatters">{{cite web |last1=Wikane |first1=Christian John |title=Blondie: Eat to the Beat |url=https://www.popmatters.com/blondie-eat-to-the-beat-2496232880.html |website=PopMatters |accessdate=22 September 2020 |date=28 June 2007}}</ref> Jim Beviglia of ''American Songwriter'' praised the song's "poignancy" and stated, "Blondie's songs tend to be so much fun that's it's easy to overlook their depth and the craft behind them. Don't make that mistake with 'Dreaming,' or you might miss the hurting yet ultimately hopeful heart beating inside that pristine pop shell."<ref name="american songwriter" />
Since its release, "Dreaming" has seen critical acclaim from music writers. Stewart Mason of [[AllMusic]] praised Stein's guitarwork and Burke's drumming on the song, writing of the latter, "It's an amazing performance, possibly the most over-the-top effort by a rock & roll drummer in the entire 1970s, and a must to hear."<ref name="am song">{{cite web |last1=Mason |first1=Stewart |title=Dreaming - Blondie {{!}} Song Info {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/dreaming-mt0054341412 |website=AllMusic |access-date=22 September 2020 |language=en-us}}</ref> Debra Rae Cohen of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' wrote that {{"'}}Dreaming' makes the keynote statement [of ''Eat to the Beat'']."<ref name="rs eat to the beat">{{cite magazine |last1=Cohen |first1=Debra Rae |title=Eat To The Beat |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/eat-to-the-beat-100953/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=22 September 2020 |date=30 November 1983}}</ref> Christian John Wikane of ''[[PopMatters]]'' praised Harry's vocals on the song, writing, "She sings with a vocal power unknown to audiences, at the time, who were only familiar with the synthetic thrills on '[[Heart of Glass (song)|Heart of Glass]].{{'"}}<ref name="popmatters">{{cite web |last1=Wikane |first1=Christian John |title=Blondie: Eat to the Beat |url=https://www.popmatters.com/blondie-eat-to-the-beat-2496232880.html |website=PopMatters |access-date=22 September 2020 |date=28 June 2007}}</ref> Jim Beviglia of ''American Songwriter'' praised the song's "poignancy" and stated, "Blondie's songs tend to be so much fun that's it's easy to overlook their depth and the craft behind them. Don't make that mistake with 'Dreaming,' or you might miss the hurting yet ultimately hopeful heart beating inside that pristine pop shell."<ref name="american songwriter" /> ''[[Cash Box]]'' said it has "a pounding, chugging rhythm and Harry's distinctive 'girl-group' vocals" and more "pop power" than [[the Knack]].<ref name=cb>{{cite news|title=CashBox Singles Reviews|date=September 29, 1979|page=18|newspaper=Cash Box|accessdate=2022-01-01|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1979/CB-1979-09-29.pdf}}</ref> ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' called it a "a driving rocker that moves at rollercoaster intensity" and praised Debbie Harry's lead vocals as "clear and mesmerizing."<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Top Single Picks|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1979/Billboard%201979-09-29.pdf|magazine=Billboard|date=September 29, 1979|accessdate=2022-06-13|page=71}}</ref>


Several critics have ranked "Dreaming" as one of Blondie's best songs. ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' writers named "Dreaming" as the fourth best Blondie song, writing, "The feel-good, uplifting vibes of this power pop ballad still hold their influence today."<ref name="billboard top 10">{{cite web |last1=Zlatopolsky |first1=Ashley |title=Blondie's 10 Greatest Songs: Critic's Picks |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7783994/blondie-10-best-songs-list-debbie-harry |website=Billboard |accessdate=22 September 2020 |date=6 May 2017}}</ref> ''[[Ultimate Classic Rock]]'' named it the band's fifth best song, stating, {{"'}}Dreaming' wraps everything Blondie did so well—girl-group bounce, big pop hook, the meshing of styles and eras—in the thickest battalion of drums and backing vocals they ever recorded."<ref name="ucr top 10" /> ''Far Out Magazine'' ranked the song as the band's sixth best, calling it "undeniably one of the band’s most underrated songs" and writing, "Harry and co. delivered a song which is a distillation of everything that made them great."<ref name="far out">{{cite web |last1=Whatley |first1=Jack |title=Debbie Harry and Blondie's 10 greatest songs of all time |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/blondie-debbie-harry-best-songs-playlist/ |website=Far Out Magazine |accessdate=22 September 2020}}</ref> uDiscoverMusic named the song as one of the top 20 Blondie songs.<ref name="udiscovermusic">{{cite web |last1=Stavropoulos |first1=Laura |title=Blondie in 20 Songs {{!}} uDiscover |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/blondie-in-20-songs/ |website=uDiscover Music |accessdate=22 September 2020 |date=5 January 2020}}</ref>
Several critics have ranked "Dreaming" as one of Blondie's best songs. ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' writers named "Dreaming" as the fourth best Blondie song, writing, "The feel-good, uplifting vibes of this power pop ballad still hold their influence today."<ref name="billboard top 10">{{cite magazine |last1=Zlatopolsky |first1=Ashley |title=Blondie's 10 Greatest Songs: Critic's Picks |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7783994/blondie-10-best-songs-list-debbie-harry |magazine=Billboard |access-date=22 September 2020 |date=6 May 2017}}</ref> ''[[Ultimate Classic Rock]]'' named it the band's fifth best song, stating, {{"'}}Dreaming' wraps everything Blondie did so well—girl-group bounce, big pop hook, the meshing of styles and eras—in the thickest battalion of drums and backing vocals they ever recorded."<ref name="ucr top 10" /> ''Far Out Magazine'' ranked the song as the band's sixth best, calling it "undeniably one of the band’s most underrated songs" and writing, "Harry and co. delivered a song which is a distillation of everything that made them great."<ref name="far out">{{cite web |last1=Whatley |first1=Jack |title=Debbie Harry and Blondie's 10 greatest songs of all time |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/blondie-debbie-harry-best-songs-playlist/ |website=Far Out Magazine |date=July 2020 |access-date=22 September 2020}}</ref> uDiscoverMusic named the song as one of the top 20 Blondie songs.<ref name="udiscovermusic">{{cite web |last1=Stavropoulos |first1=Laura |title=Blondie in 20 Songs {{!}} uDiscover |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/blondie-in-20-songs/ |website=uDiscover Music |access-date=22 September 2020 |date=5 January 2020}}</ref> In 2021, it was listed at No. 414 on Rolling Stone's "Top 500 Best Songs of All Time" in 2021.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2021-09-15 |title=The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-all-time-1224767/ |access-date=2022-07-04 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>


== Live performances ==
== Live performances ==
"Dreaming" has become a staple of Blondie's live performances, being performed for a time as the second track in the band's setlist.<ref name="clem burke interview" /> Blondie notably performed the song live on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' in 1979, a performance that ended with Burke jumping over his drumset toward the camera.<ref name="tulsa world">{{cite web |last1=Tramel |first1=Jimmie |title=From Rock Hall to Hard Rock: Blondie drummer Clem Burke talks about band's past, present |url=https://www.tulsaworld.com/lifestyles/from-rock-hall-to-hard-rock-blondie-drummer-clem-burke/article_7b0ef095-3729-5fc7-b035-b17bb7d260bc.html |website=Tulsa World |publisher=Gloria Fletcher |accessdate=24 March 2019}}</ref> Burke later described the video of the performance as "awesome".<ref>{{cite tweet |user=clem_burke |author-link=Clem Burke |number=979844649677242368 |title=Check out this awesome video: Blondie - Dreaming - Live (Saturday Night Live) (1979) (HD) http://dai.ly/x21f8qu Have a Good Friday ! |date=March 30, 2018|accessdate=March 23, 2019}}</ref>
"Dreaming" has become a staple of Blondie's live performances, being performed for a time as the second track in the band's setlist.<ref name="clem burke interview" /> Blondie notably performed the song live on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' in 1979, a performance that ended with Burke jumping over his drumset toward the camera.<ref name="tulsa world">{{cite web |last1=Tramel |first1=Jimmie |title=From Rock Hall to Hard Rock: Blondie drummer Clem Burke talks about band's past, present |url=https://www.tulsaworld.com/lifestyles/from-rock-hall-to-hard-rock-blondie-drummer-clem-burke/article_7b0ef095-3729-5fc7-b035-b17bb7d260bc.html |website=Tulsa World |date=August 5, 2018 |publisher=Gloria Fletcher |access-date=24 March 2019}}</ref> Burke later described the video of the performance as "awesome".<ref>{{cite tweet |user=clem_burke |number=979844649677242368 |title=Check out this awesome video: Blondie - Dreaming - Live (Saturday Night Live) (1979) (HD) http://dai.ly/x21f8qu Have a Good Friday ! |date=March 30, 2018|access-date=March 23, 2019}}</ref>


Lead singer Debbie Harry performed a version of the song with the [[Dum Dum Girls]] at [[South by Southwest]] in 2014. Josh Terry of ''[[Consequence of Sound]]'' described the rendition as "woozy" and "upbeat".<ref name="CoS dum dum girls">{{cite web |last1=Terry |first1=Josh |title=Watch: Dum Dum Girls and Blondie's Debbie Harry play "Dreaming" at SXSW |url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2014/03/watch-dum-dum-girls-and-blondies-debbie-harry-play-dreaming-at-sxsw/ |website=Consequence of Sound |publisher=Consequence Holdings, LLC |accessdate=24 March 2019}}</ref>
Lead singer Debbie Harry performed a version of the song with the [[Dum Dum Girls]] at [[South by Southwest]] in 2014. Josh Terry of ''[[Consequence of Sound]]'' described the rendition as "woozy" and "upbeat".<ref name="CoS dum dum girls">{{cite web |last1=Terry |first1=Josh |title=Watch: Dum Dum Girls and Blondie's Debbie Harry play "Dreaming" at SXSW |url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2014/03/watch-dum-dum-girls-and-blondies-debbie-harry-play-dreaming-at-sxsw/ |website=Consequence of Sound |date=March 14, 2014 |publisher=Consequence Holdings, LLC |access-date=24 March 2019}}</ref>


== Cover versions ==
== Cover versions ==
The [[Smashing Pumpkins]] released a cover of "Dreaming" on their 1996 single "[[Bullet With Butterfly Wings]]." The song was also covered by [[Yo La Tengo]] for the [[new wave music|new wave]] tribute album ''Freedom of Choice: Yesterday's New Wave Hits as Performed by Today's Stars''.<ref name="freedom of choice">{{cite web |last1=Gettelman |first1=Parry |title=Freedom of Choice |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1993-02-12-9302110012-story.html |website=OrlandoSentinel.com |accessdate=21 September 2020}}</ref>
The [[Smashing Pumpkins]] released a cover of "Dreaming" on their 1996 single "[[Bullet With Butterfly Wings]]." The song was also covered by [[Yo La Tengo]] for the [[new wave music|new wave]] tribute album ''Freedom of Choice: Yesterday's New Wave Hits as Performed by Today's Stars''.<ref name="freedom of choice">{{cite web |last1=Gettelman |first1=Parry |title=Freedom of Choice |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1993-02-12-9302110012-story.html |website=OrlandoSentinel.com |date=February 12, 1993 |access-date=21 September 2020}}</ref>


American rock band [[Green Day]] released a cover of "Dreaming" on May 22, 2020. The music video features the band reminiscing of days gone by, featuring footage from previous tours of the band on the road and performing live.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kohn|first1=Daniel |title=Green Day Cover Blondie's 'Dreaming' |url=https://www.spin.com/2020/05/green-day-cover-blondies-dreaming/ |website=Spin |date=May 22, 2020 |accessdate=June 18, 2020}}</ref>
American rock band [[Green Day]] released a cover of "Dreaming" on May 22, 2020. The music video features the band reminiscing of days gone by, featuring footage from previous tours of the band on the road and performing live.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kohn|first1=Daniel |title=Green Day Cover Blondie's 'Dreaming' |url=https://www.spin.com/2020/05/green-day-cover-blondies-dreaming/ |website=Spin |date=May 22, 2020 |access-date=June 18, 2020}}</ref>


==Charts==
==Charts==
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{{single chart|Billboardhot100|27|artist=Blondie|rowheader=true|access-date=December 25, 2020}}
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|27|artist=Blondie|rowheader=true|access-date=December 25, 2020}}
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! scope="row"| US ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]'' Top 100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/70s_files/19791208.html |title=Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending December 8, 1979 |work=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]] |access-date=February 1, 2015}}</ref>
! scope="row"| US ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]'' Top 100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/70s_files/19791208.html |title=Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending December 8, 1979 |work=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]] |access-date=February 1, 2015 |archive-date=February 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205163625/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/70s_files/19791208.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{MetroLyrics song|blondie|dreaming}}<!-- Licensed lyrics provider -->


{{Blondie}}
{{Blondie}}
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[[Category:American power pop songs]]
[[Category:American power pop songs]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Mike Chapman]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Mike Chapman]]
[[Category:Songs about dreams]]
[[Category:Songs written by Chris Stein]]
[[Category:Songs written by Chris Stein]]
[[Category:Songs written by Debbie Harry]]
[[Category:Songs written by Debbie Harry]]

Latest revision as of 03:36, 19 November 2024

"Dreaming"
Single by Blondie
from the album Eat to the Beat
B-side
  • "Sound-A-Sleep"
  • "Living in the Real World"
ReleasedSeptember 14, 1979
Genre
Length3:08
LabelChrysalis
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Mike Chapman
Blondie singles chronology
"One Way or Another"
(1979) 		"Dreaming"
(1979) 		"Union City Blue"
(1979)
Audio sample
Dreaming
Music video
"Dreaming" on YouTube

"Dreaming" is a song by American new wave band Blondie. Released in 1979, the song was the opening track from their fourth album Eat to the Beat.[3] Written by guitarist Chris Stein and singer Debbie Harry and partially inspired by ABBA's "Dancing Queen," the song also features an active drum performance by drummer Clem Burke, who did not expect the final recording to feature his busy drum track.

"Dreaming" was released as the lead single from Eat to the Beat in September 1979, reaching number two on the UK singles chart and number 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The band saw this as a disappointing performance, though the song remained one of the band's highest charting singles to that point. The song's single release was also accompanied by a music video.

The song has since become one of Blondie's most famous tracks, appearing on several compilation albums and becoming a mainstay of the band's live setlist. It has since seen critical acclaim and several music writers have named the song as one of the band's best.

Background

[edit]

The lyrics for "Dreaming" originated from the line "dreaming is free", which band member Chris Stein thought of.[4] After hearing the music for the song that Stein wrote, Debbie Harry wrote the rest of the lyrics.[4] Harry explained the process of writing the lyrics in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, saying "Sometimes Chris will come up with a track or a feel and pass it on to me, and he'll say, 'I was thinking 'Dreaming/Dreaming is free',' and then I'll fill it out with a story line or some more phrases. A lot of times it's the rhythm track that suggests what the lyric is going to be. I like working like that."[5]

Musically, "Dreaming" is a fast-paced new wave song. Stein has since claimed that "Dreaming" is "pretty much a cop" of "Dancing Queen" by ABBA; he continued, "I don't know if that was where we started, or if it ended just happening to sound like that."[4][5] Michael Gallucci of Ultimate Classic Rock said the song "tak[es] a cue from Phil Spector's Wall of Sound."[6] Billboard Magazine described "Dreaming" as a "driving rocker that moves with rollercoaster intensity" and described Harry's lead vocals as "mesmerizing."[7]

According to the band's keyboardist Jimmy Destri, the song, like many from the Eat to the Beat album, was recorded live in the studio.[8] The song also features a frantic drum performance written by drummer Clem Burke.[9] Burke said of his drumming on the song:

The reason why 'Dreaming' came out the way it did is because [producer Mike Chapman] really gave me free rein and it was really a surprise. That take of 'Dreaming' was just me kind of blowing through the song. It's not like I expected that to be the take. I was consciously overplaying just for the sake of it because it was a run-through."[8]

Release

[edit]

The song was released on September 14, 1979 as the first single from Eat to the Beat. While the US release of the single had "Living in the Real World" as the B-side, the British version used "Sound-A-Sleep" instead. Both of those songs likewise feature on Eat to the Beat. A music video was produced to promote the single featuring Debbie Harry wearing a solid blue unitard and matching sheer blouse designed by Stephen Sprouse.[10]

"Dreaming" was most successful as a single in the UK, peaking at number two on the singles chart. Burke later expressed disappointment at the song's inability to reach number one in Britain unlike other Blondie singles, saying, "English audiences are notoriously fickle. They go off on people after a while. It's been done before. We're so spoiled by having all those number ones."[8]

The single was also successful in Ireland as well as in Canada, reaching number three and number four respectively. In the US, it peaked at number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Blondie's third Top 40 hit there (after "Heart of Glass" (number one) and "One Way or Another" (number 24) earlier in the year). Clem Burke attributed the song's relatively lower chart position to his drumming, saying "I always say 'Dreaming' would have been a bigger hit had I not played like that. It was Top 40, but it was never a huge hit."[8]

"Dreaming" has since been featured on multiple compilation albums, such as The Best of Blondie, The Complete Picture: The Very Best of Deborah Harry and Blondie, Atomic: The Very Best of Blondie, and Greatest Hits Deluxe Redux. Blondie re-recorded the song for the 2014 compilation album Greatest Hits Deluxe Redux.

In 2019 "Dreaming" was used as the opening credits theme song for the third and final season of the HBO drama The Deuce.[11]

In 2024, the song appears on the soundtrack of the Palme d'Or winning Sean Baker sex comedy film Anora.[12]

Reception

[edit]

Since its release, "Dreaming" has seen critical acclaim from music writers. Stewart Mason of AllMusic praised Stein's guitarwork and Burke's drumming on the song, writing of the latter, "It's an amazing performance, possibly the most over-the-top effort by a rock & roll drummer in the entire 1970s, and a must to hear."[13] Debra Rae Cohen of Rolling Stone wrote that "'Dreaming' makes the keynote statement [of Eat to the Beat]."[14] Christian John Wikane of PopMatters praised Harry's vocals on the song, writing, "She sings with a vocal power unknown to audiences, at the time, who were only familiar with the synthetic thrills on 'Heart of Glass.'"[15] Jim Beviglia of American Songwriter praised the song's "poignancy" and stated, "Blondie's songs tend to be so much fun that's it's easy to overlook their depth and the craft behind them. Don't make that mistake with 'Dreaming,' or you might miss the hurting yet ultimately hopeful heart beating inside that pristine pop shell."[5] Cash Box said it has "a pounding, chugging rhythm and Harry's distinctive 'girl-group' vocals" and more "pop power" than the Knack.[16] Billboard called it a "a driving rocker that moves at rollercoaster intensity" and praised Debbie Harry's lead vocals as "clear and mesmerizing."[17]

Several critics have ranked "Dreaming" as one of Blondie's best songs. Billboard writers named "Dreaming" as the fourth best Blondie song, writing, "The feel-good, uplifting vibes of this power pop ballad still hold their influence today."[18] Ultimate Classic Rock named it the band's fifth best song, stating, "'Dreaming' wraps everything Blondie did so well—girl-group bounce, big pop hook, the meshing of styles and eras—in the thickest battalion of drums and backing vocals they ever recorded."[6] Far Out Magazine ranked the song as the band's sixth best, calling it "undeniably one of the band’s most underrated songs" and writing, "Harry and co. delivered a song which is a distillation of everything that made them great."[19] uDiscoverMusic named the song as one of the top 20 Blondie songs.[20] In 2021, it was listed at No. 414 on Rolling Stone's "Top 500 Best Songs of All Time" in 2021.[21]

Live performances

[edit]

"Dreaming" has become a staple of Blondie's live performances, being performed for a time as the second track in the band's setlist.[9] Blondie notably performed the song live on Saturday Night Live in 1979, a performance that ended with Burke jumping over his drumset toward the camera.[22] Burke later described the video of the performance as "awesome".[23]

Lead singer Debbie Harry performed a version of the song with the Dum Dum Girls at South by Southwest in 2014. Josh Terry of Consequence of Sound described the rendition as "woozy" and "upbeat".[24]

Cover versions

[edit]

The Smashing Pumpkins released a cover of "Dreaming" on their 1996 single "Bullet With Butterfly Wings." The song was also covered by Yo La Tengo for the new wave tribute album Freedom of Choice: Yesterday's New Wave Hits as Performed by Today's Stars.[25]

American rock band Green Day released a cover of "Dreaming" on May 22, 2020. The music video features the band reminiscing of days gone by, featuring footage from previous tours of the band on the road and performing live.[26]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[45] Silver 250,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]

UK 7" (CHS 2359, September 1979)

  1. "Dreaming" (Deborah Harry, Chris Stein) — 3:08
  2. "Sound-A-Sleep" (Harry, Stein) — 4:18


US 7" (CHS 2379, September 1979)

  1. "Dreaming" (Deborah Harry, Chris Stein) — 3:08
  2. "Living in the Real World" (Jimmy Destri) — 2:53


US 12" Promo (CHS14-PDJ, September 1979)

  1. "Dreaming" (Deborah Harry, Chris Stein) — 3:08
  2. "Dreaming" (Deborah Harry, Chris Stein) — 3:08

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Danyel Smith, ed. (2002). "Billboard 14 December 2002". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. ISSN 0006-2510. "The near-capacity crowd (...) then went wild when they heard Burke's unmistakable drum roll intro to "Dreaming," perhaps the band's definitive power-pop single."
  2. ^ a b Pitchfork Staff (August 22, 2016). "The 200 Best Songs of the 1970s". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 13, 2022. The third is the workaday wistfulness (the real mark of ABBA) that underlies the best power-pop and pop-punk tracks.
  3. ^ Rae Cohen, Debra (November 30, 1983). "Eat to the Beat". Rolling Stone.
  4. ^ a b c "Dreaming". songfacts.com.
  5. ^ a b c Beviglia, Jim. "Behind the Song: Blondie, "Dreaming"". American Songwriter. ForASong Media, LLC. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  6. ^ a b Gallucci, Michael (July 2015). "Top 10 Blondie Songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Townsquare Media. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  7. ^ "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. September 29, 1979. p. 71. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  8. ^ a b c d Porter, Dick; Needs, Kris (February 13, 2017). Blondie: Parallel Lines. Omnibus Press. ISBN 9780857127808.
  9. ^ a b Kramer, Barry L. "Clem Burke's interview with the fans". blondie.net. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  10. ^ Cathy Che (1999), 'Deborah Harry: Platinum Blonde', MPG Books Ltd, Cornwall, p.96
  11. ^ Murray, Noel (September 10, 2019). "The Deuce's final season kicks off with a trip to Vegas, deep into the '80s". The A.V. Club. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  12. ^ Pilley, Max (November 2, 2024). "Here's every song on the 'Anora' soundtrack". NME. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  13. ^ Mason, Stewart. "Dreaming - Blondie | Song Info | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  14. ^ Cohen, Debra Rae (November 30, 1983). "Eat To The Beat". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  15. ^ Wikane, Christian John (June 28, 2007). "Blondie: Eat to the Beat". PopMatters. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  16. ^ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. September 29, 1979. p. 18. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  17. ^ "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard. September 29, 1979. p. 71. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  18. ^ Zlatopolsky, Ashley (May 6, 2017). "Blondie's 10 Greatest Songs: Critic's Picks". Billboard. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  19. ^ Whatley, Jack (July 2020). "Debbie Harry and Blondie's 10 greatest songs of all time". Far Out Magazine. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  20. ^ Stavropoulos, Laura (January 5, 2020). "Blondie in 20 Songs | uDiscover". uDiscover Music. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  21. ^ "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. September 15, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  22. ^ Tramel, Jimmie (August 5, 2018). "From Rock Hall to Hard Rock: Blondie drummer Clem Burke talks about band's past, present". Tulsa World. Gloria Fletcher. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  23. ^ @clem_burke (March 30, 2018). "Check out this awesome video: Blondie - Dreaming - Live (Saturday Night Live) (1979) (HD) http://dai.ly/x21f8qu Have a Good Friday !" (Tweet). Retrieved March 23, 2019 – via Twitter.
  24. ^ Terry, Josh (March 14, 2014). "Watch: Dum Dum Girls and Blondie's Debbie Harry play "Dreaming" at SXSW". Consequence of Sound. Consequence Holdings, LLC. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  25. ^ Gettelman, Parry (February 12, 1993). "Freedom of Choice". OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  26. ^ Kohn, Daniel (May 22, 2020). "Green Day Cover Blondie's 'Dreaming'". Spin. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  27. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 37. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  28. ^ "Blondie – Dreaming" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  29. ^ "Blondie – Dreaming" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  30. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6897a." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  31. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  32. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Dreaming". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  33. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Blondie" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  34. ^ "Blondie – Dreaming" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  35. ^ "Blondie – Dreaming". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  36. ^ "Blondie – Dreaming". VG-lista. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  37. ^ "Blondie – Dreaming". Singles Top 100. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  38. ^ "Blondie: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  39. ^ "Blondie Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  40. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending December 8, 1979". Cash Box. Archived from the original on February 5, 2011. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  41. ^ "Record World Singles" (PDF). Record World. December 1, 1979. p. 25. ISSN 0034-1622 – via World Radio History.
  42. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Blondie – Dreaming" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  43. ^ "1979 Top 200 Singles". RPM. Vol. 32, no. 13. December 22, 1979. ISSN 0315-5994 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  44. ^ "Top Singles 1979". Music Week. London. December 22, 1979. p. 27. ISSN 0265-1548.
  45. ^ "British single certifications – Blondie – Dreaming". British Phonographic Industry. September 1, 1979. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
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