Dreams (Van Halen song)
Encyclopedia
"Dreams" is a song by Van Halen
released in 1986 from the album 5150
. It was the second single from that album, and it reached #22 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart that year. "Dreams" also appeared on the soundtrack to Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie
almost 10 years later, which introduced Van Halen to a new generation of potential fans.
era of the band and has become a staple at concerts. It was performed during most tours
featuring Sammy Hagar, including the most recent Hagar reunion tour
. Even the Gary Cherone
-headed tour
supporting Van Halen III
featured the song in their set-list. The song was also used to close the 2004 Democratic National Convention, played after the acceptance speech of John Kerry
. It was also used as the campaigns theme song at rallies across the country in 2004. The song's melodic and inspirational theme has proved to be popular with fans judging by the amount of applause that the band receives on the initial notes. During an interview with Hagar for Rolling Stones featuring questions from fans, Hagar said that Dreams (along with Right Now) was his favorite Van Halen song, with Dreams being his favorite if you pushed him. The song was also redone by Hagar by his solo band, now becoming a slower more mature/serious song done acoustically instead of a fast paced rock song.
played both guitar and keyboards on the studio version of this song. During live performances on the 5150 tour, Eddie Van Halen played the keyboards and would switch to the guitar during the first solo, while Hagar played the rhythm parts until then. On later tours, he would play guitar only, while the keyboard piece was either played "off-stage" by a hired performer (such as Alan Fitzgerald
of Night Ranger
during the For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge Tour
), or pre-recorded material was used. Another interesting note; during live performances on the chorus "We'll get higher and higher, straight up we'll climb. Higher and higher, leave it all behind", bassist Michael Anthony usually sings the second "higher" in both parts, but on the studio version, Sammy Hagar
sings them both. This became a standard part of the song's live performances and Eddie Van Halen would also join in the singing.
performing a variety of aerial stunts. The other two videos were shot in March 1993 from a live performance at the Whisky a Go Go
in West Hollywood, California
, to celebrate the band's return to the venue after 15 years. (They last played at the venue in 1978.) One version of the video features newscasters and interviews with fans lining up outside the venue before the performance. The second version features far less commentary and more focus on the performance itself. The first version is available on Van Halen: Video Hits, Vol. 1
. The second version can be seen at VH1Classic.com
, Super World of Sports
, and WAR.
The song was used on the ending scene of the movie Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie
.
Van Halen
Van Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. The band has enjoyed success since the release of its debut album, Van Halen, . As of 2007 Van Halen has sold 80 million albums worldwide and has had the most #1 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart...
released in 1986 from the album 5150
5150 (album)
5150 is the seventh studio album by American hard rock band Van Halen, released in 1986 through Warner Bros. Records. The album was the first to be recorded with new lead singer Sammy Hagar who replaced David Lee Roth....
. It was the second single from that album, and it reached #22 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart that year. "Dreams" also appeared on the soundtrack to Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie is a 1995 American superhero action fantasy based on the television series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers on Fox Kids. It featured the characters and actors from the series itself, and used the zords from Ninja Sentai Kakuranger...
almost 10 years later, which introduced Van Halen to a new generation of potential fans.
Background
"Dreams" was written during the HagarSammy Hagar
Sam Roy "Sammy" Hagar , also known as The Red Rocker, is an American rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Also sings Country Music....
era of the band and has become a staple at concerts. It was performed during most tours
Van Halen concert tours
A list of concert tours by hard rock band Van Halen.Note that on all tours, the band's line-up has featured Eddie Van Halen and Alex Van Halen. Michael Anthony has played bass on all tours except the most recent one which lasted from late 2007 to early 2008 where the role is being performed by...
featuring Sammy Hagar, including the most recent Hagar reunion tour
Van Halen Summer Tour 2004
The Van Halen Summer Tour 2004 was a North American concert tour by hard rock band Van Halen. It was the band's first tour since 1998, and saw the return of lead singer Sammy Hagar who left the band in 1996 on bad terms.- History :...
. Even the Gary Cherone
Gary Cherone
Gary Francis Caine Cherone is an American rock singer-songwriter. He is best known for his work with the rock group Extreme, as well as his short stint as the lead singer for Van Halen on their 11th album Van Halen III and subsequent tour. In recent years he has released solo recordings. In 2007,...
-headed tour
III Tour
The III Tour was a 1998 concert tour by hard rock band Van Halen. It was the band's first and only tour with vocalist Gary Cherone, in support of the only album he recorded with the band—the poor-selling Van Halen III.-History:...
supporting Van Halen III
Van Halen III
Van Halen III is the band's 11th album and was the last studio album by American hard rock band Van Halen. It is the only Van Halen album to feature Gary Cherone on lead vocals...
featured the song in their set-list. The song was also used to close the 2004 Democratic National Convention, played after the acceptance speech of John Kerry
John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
. It was also used as the campaigns theme song at rallies across the country in 2004. The song's melodic and inspirational theme has proved to be popular with fans judging by the amount of applause that the band receives on the initial notes. During an interview with Hagar for Rolling Stones featuring questions from fans, Hagar said that Dreams (along with Right Now) was his favorite Van Halen song, with Dreams being his favorite if you pushed him. The song was also redone by Hagar by his solo band, now becoming a slower more mature/serious song done acoustically instead of a fast paced rock song.
Arrangements
Eddie Van HalenEddie Van Halen
Edward Lodewijk "Eddie" Van Halen is a Dutch-American guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter and producer, best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the hard rock band Van Halen, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...
played both guitar and keyboards on the studio version of this song. During live performances on the 5150 tour, Eddie Van Halen played the keyboards and would switch to the guitar during the first solo, while Hagar played the rhythm parts until then. On later tours, he would play guitar only, while the keyboard piece was either played "off-stage" by a hired performer (such as Alan Fitzgerald
Alan Fitzgerald
Alan Fitzgerald, U.S. musician , was a member of several U.S. bands.He played as a bassist in the bands Montrose and Gamma, both of which also featured guitarist Ronnie Montrose....
of Night Ranger
Night Ranger
Night Ranger is an American rock band from San Francisco that gained popularity during the 1980s with a series of albums and singles. The band's first five albums sold more than 10 million copies worldwide...
during the For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge Tour
For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge Tour
The For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge Tour was a North American concert tour by hard rock band Van Halen in support of their album For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge. It was one of the band's longer tours, divided into a vast number of dates...
), or pre-recorded material was used. Another interesting note; during live performances on the chorus "We'll get higher and higher, straight up we'll climb. Higher and higher, leave it all behind", bassist Michael Anthony usually sings the second "higher" in both parts, but on the studio version, Sammy Hagar
Sammy Hagar
Sam Roy "Sammy" Hagar , also known as The Red Rocker, is an American rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Also sings Country Music....
sings them both. This became a standard part of the song's live performances and Eddie Van Halen would also join in the singing.
Music videos
There were technically three music videos made for the song. The most well known version was shot in 1986 and featured the Blue AngelsBlue Angels
The United States Navy's Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, popularly known as the Blue Angels, was formed in 1946 and is currently the oldest formal flying aerobatic team...
performing a variety of aerial stunts. The other two videos were shot in March 1993 from a live performance at the Whisky a Go Go
Whisky a Go Go
The Whisky a Go Go is a nightclub in West Hollywood, California, United States. It is located at 8901 Sunset Boulevard, on the Sunset Strip.-History:...
in West Hollywood, California
West Hollywood, California
West Hollywood, a city of Los Angeles County, California, was incorporated on November 29, 1984, with a population of 34,399 at the 2010 census. 41% of the city's population is made up of gay men according to a 2002 demographic analysis by Sara Kocher Consulting for the City of West Hollywood...
, to celebrate the band's return to the venue after 15 years. (They last played at the venue in 1978.) One version of the video features newscasters and interviews with fans lining up outside the venue before the performance. The second version features far less commentary and more focus on the performance itself. The first version is available on Van Halen: Video Hits, Vol. 1
Van Halen: Video Hits, Vol. 1
Video Hits Volume I is a collection of various Van Halen video hits. The DVD version has the same videos as the VHS but also includes the video for "Without You" . Some songs are the edited/single versions and not the unedited/album versions...
. The second version can be seen at VH1Classic.com
In pop culture
Japanese pro wrestler Ashura Hara would use the song as his theme music in All Japan Pro WrestlingAll Japan Pro Wrestling
is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972. All Japan Pro Wrestling still remains one of the most popular puroresu promotions still in operation.-The Giant Baba Era :...
, Super World of Sports
Super World of Sports
Super World of Sports, more commonly known as SWS, was a Japanese professional wrestling promotion from 1990 to 1992. Its motto was "STRAIGHT AND STRONG".-Formation:...
, and WAR.
The song was used on the ending scene of the movie Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie is a 1995 American superhero action fantasy based on the television series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers on Fox Kids. It featured the characters and actors from the series itself, and used the zords from Ninja Sentai Kakuranger...
.
Instruments
- Sammy HagarSammy HagarSam Roy "Sammy" Hagar , also known as The Red Rocker, is an American rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Also sings Country Music....
- vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Michael Anthony - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
/ backup vocals - Eddie Van HalenEddie Van HalenEdward Lodewijk "Eddie" Van Halen is a Dutch-American guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter and producer, best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the hard rock band Van Halen, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
/ synthesizerSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones... - Alex Van HalenAlex Van HalenAlexander Arthur "Alex" Van Halen is a Dutch-born American musician, best known as the drummer and co-founder of the hard rock band Van Halen. Originally, his brother Eddie had taken lessons for drums, while Alex practiced guitar...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....