"Dream On Dreamer" is a song by British acid jazz and funk group the Brand New Heavies, released in March 1994 by FFRR as the lead single from the group's third album, Brother Sister (1994). The song is also featured on their remix album, Excursions: Remixes & Rare Grooves (1995), that was released in the US. It remains one of their most successful hits, peaking at number 15 in the UK and number 19 in Scotland. In the US, it reached number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100, while in Canada, it hit number 47 on the RPM Top Singles chart. The accompanying music video for "Dream On Dreamer" was directed by American director Josh Taft.[2]
| "Dream On Dreamer" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by the Brand New Heavies | ||||
| from the album Brother Sister | ||||
| Released | 14 March 1994[1] | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:33 | |||
| Label | FFRR | |||
| Producer(s) | The Brand New Heavies | |||
| The Brand New Heavies singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Critical reception
Larry Flick from Billboard described the song as "a rumbling bit o' retro-funk, fueled with the sultry vocalpresence of Davenport. Song's immediately contagious chorus is the ticket to active play in pop and urban sectors." He added, "Not to be missed."[3] Troy J. Augusto from Cash Box named it Pick of the Week, declaring it as an "infectious, groove-heavy jam". He complimented the singer as "a gifted, dynamic and quite flexible vocalist who evens lifts some of the Heavies' mediocre material out of the darkness. Luckily, this track isn't one of those lesser moments and is only guaranteed longer shelflife thanks to her presence."[4] Another editor, Gil L. Robertson IV, named it a "standout track" from the Excursions: Remixes & Rare Grooves album.[5] Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report stated that the Heavies' soon-to-be released album Brother Sister, "will be a welcome sight and sound to the thousands of fans who have been waiting patiently for its release. Expect this first single to whet everyone's appetite that much more."[6]
Caroline Sullivan from The Guardian viewed it as "sleek" and "mainstream".[7] Chuck Campbell from Knoxville News Sentinel remarked that on the "hook-oriented" track, "the rich-voiced Davenport is the centerpiece around which bandmates Simon Bartholomew, Andrew Levy and Jan Kincaid swirl inviting music".[8] Maria Jimenez from Music & Media described it as a "soulful gem".[9] Ralph Tee from Music Week's RM Dance Update felt the group "are back in fine form on this extremely appealing new two step soul shuffler. The group's only version is naturally of acoustic orientation, with real drumming, keyboards and horns gelling very nicely on this soulful outing".[10] Paul Moody from NME wrote, "'Dream On Dreamer' comes on like the sassiest thing on the block, but somehow it's pure gloss."[11] Another editor, Ian McCann, noted that "N'Dea swoops magnificently into a pool of delicious strings."[12] Parry Gettelman from Orlando Sentinel said that the song "show the right way to update disco."[13]
Track listing
Charts
Year-end charts
| Chart (1994) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[27] | 99 |