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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. The fourth single from their self-titled debut album, “Don’t Dream It’s Over” is widely considered Crowded House’s signature song.
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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 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. In the subsequent verses, the artist expresses how certain events and people are trying to separate him from his lover, yet he makes a firm decision to focus on building their bond. Seeing that his partner may be swayed by external pressures he repeatedly tells her not to dream about their relationship ending, because they will win.
The Story Behind Crowded House’s “Hey Now, Hey Now” Anthem “Don’t Dream It’s Over”
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. 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. 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.
The Inspiration Behind the Song
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 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”). The titular phrase is rather ambiguous in the sense that the artist could be saying ‘don’t dream that it’s over’, as in there’s still hope, or he could be saying the opposite, as in ‘don’t dream anymore because it is over’. The latter is highly unlikely though because the central theme of the song is to get the singer’s love interest to see that he will stay in the relationship and make sure that she finds freedom both in being with him and within herself.
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’. In a world that can often feel disconnected and divided, “Don’t Dream It’s Over” remains a powerful reminder of the human capacity for hope and resilience. Through its haunting melody and optimistic lyrics, the song speaks to a universal struggle that we all face at some point in our lives.
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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’. Old Time Music is proud to have such a passionate and talented team of writers who share their love for music with our readers.
Crowded House released “Don’t Dream It’s Over” as a single on 20 October 1986. 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.
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. 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.
"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. Nick Seymour, a member of the group explained that the song was to encourage their listeners not to succumb to the implications of consumerism and the mass media.
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. 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. Madonna wrote a song called "Love Won't Wait" that she didn't want, but became a UK #1 hit for Gary Barlow. As I journey through life, this song will always remain a constant reminder of the strength and possibility that lie within me.
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. 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. “Don’t Dream It’s Over” is a song about remaining hopeful in the face of adversity.
Whether we’re dealing with the challenges of a new environment or simply striving to achieve our dreams, “Don’t Dream It’s Over” encourages us to keep going and never give up. Crowded House’s lead singer and songwriter Neil Finn has said that “Don’t Dream It’s Over” was inspired by his experiences living in Los Angeles and feeling disconnected from his homeland of New Zealand. The song was written during a time when Finn was struggling with homesickness and a sense of displacement, which inspired him to write a song that expressed the human desire for connection and a sense of belonging.
As we dissect the lyrics, the song paints a vivid picture of the complexities of life. There is a sense that despite the battles we face and the challenges that may arise, there is still freedom and possibility available to us. The line “Try to catch a deluge in a paper cup” beautifully captures the idea of trying to contain something vast and overwhelming in something small and fragile. 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.
The two also discuss Neil’s beautiful love song “Fall at Your Feet” from Crowded House’s third album, Woodface. 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. “Don’t Dream It’s Over”, which was unveiled in October 1986, was the fourth song to be released from the eponymous maiden album of Australian band, Crowded House.
When the organ solo comes, the windows of this house are suddenly arched and have stained glass. In 1991, English musician Paul Young covered "Don't Dream It's Over" on his first compilation album, From Time to Time – The Singles Collection (1991). Young's version, released by Columbia, was produced by Dan Hartman, and featured Paul Carrack singing the fourth chorus and performing the keyboard and synthesizers. English singer, Paul Young, recorded a version of this song in 1991. It was also sampled in Luke Boyd’s (also known as Classified) song titled “It Ain’t Over”. In this sixth episode of The Story Behind the Song, host Peter Csathy interviews Finn about “Don’t Dream It’s Over” and how it came to be.
We hope you enjoy the articles and insights they bring to our platform. Personally, “Don’t Dream It’s Over” holds a special place in my heart. The song has become a constant companion throughout various phases of my life, always providing comfort and solace.
