Dream Lover
1959 single by Bobby Darin
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"Dream Lover" is a song written by American musician Bobby Darin; he recorded his composition on March 5, 1959, and released it as a single the following month. It was produced by Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler and engineered by Tom Dowd. The song has been widely covered by other singers.
| "Dream Lover" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||
| Single by Bobby Darin | ||||
| B-side | "Bullmoose" | |||
| Released | April 20, 1959 | |||
| Genre | Rock and roll, doo-wop, pop | |||
| Length | 2:28 | |||
| Label | Atco 45-6140 | |||
| Songwriter | Bobby Darin | |||
| Producers | Ahmet Ertegun, Jerry Wexler | |||
| Bobby Darin singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Song background
In addition to Darin's vocal, the song features Neil Sedaka on piano.[1] While recording it, Darin decided to stretch out some chord changes he found on the piano and add strings and voices.[2] A picture sleeve, featuring a portrait of Darin, was also issued for this record in the U.S.
Chart performance
It was released as a single on Atco Records in the U.S. in 1959, and became a multimillion seller, reaching number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 for a week,[3] number 4 on Billboard's Hot R&B Sides chart,[4] and number 5 in Canada.[5] "Dream Lover" was kept from the number-one spot by "The Battle of New Orleans" by Johnny Horton.[3] It did reach number 1, though, on the UK's New Musical Express chart for four weeks during July 1959.[6] The song also reached number 5 on Norway's VG-lista,[7] number 12 in Flanders, and number 21 in Wallonia.[8]
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | — | 100,000[9] |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[10] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Cover versions
| "Dream Lover" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Tanya Tucker and Glen Campbell | |
| from the album Dreamlovers | |
| B-side | "Bronco" (Tanya Tucker) |
| Released | September 8, 1980 |
| Recorded | Spring 1980 |
| Studio | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Genre | Country |
| Length | 2:56 |
| Label | MCA |
| Songwriter | Bobby Darin |
| Producer | Jerry Crutchfield |
In 1961, Dion DiMucci released his version of "Dream Lover" on the album Runaround Sue. Thirty years later, he recorded a new version for the Hot Shots! soundtrack.
In 1964, the Paris Sisters released a version of "Dream Lover".
In 1971, Billy "Crash" Craddock released his version of "Dream Lover" as a single. Craddock's version reached number 1 on Cash Box's Country Top 65 chart[11] and Record World's Country Singles Chart,[12] while reaching number 5 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart.[13] Craddock's version was included on his 1972 album You Better Move On.[14]
In 1979, Ricky Nelson released a cover of "Dream Lover". His version reached number 29 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart and number 59 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart. He sang the song on his appearance on Saturday Night Live. Also in 1979, Australian Glen Shorrock of Little River Band covered it. It was in the Australian top 10 for 18 weeks that year.[15]
Country music singers Tanya Tucker and Glen Campbell released a duet of "Dream Lover" on Tucker's 1980 album Dreamlovers.
In 2022, actress and singer Evan Rachel Wood released her version with her band EVAN + ZANE, included on their album Dream.