Dreaming (Blondie song)

"Dreaming"
Single by Blondie
from the album Eat to the Beat
B-side "Sound-A-Sleep"
"Living in the Real World"
Released September 14, 1979
Format 7" single
Genre Power pop, New Wave
Length 3:08
Label Chrysalis
Writer(s) Chris Stein, Debbie Harry
Producer Mike Chapman
Certification Silver (UK)
Blondie singles chronology
"One Way or Another"
(1979)
"Dreaming"
(1979)
"Union City Blue"
(1979)
Music sample
Dreaming

"Dreaming" is a song by the American punk/new wave band Blondie. Released in 1979, it was the lead single from their fourth album Eat to the Beat. It peaked at #2 in the British singles chart.

Contents

Song information

"Dreaming" was written by the group's principal songwriting partnership, Deborah Harry and Chris Stein.

The power pop sound of the record is one of its trademarks as is the opening line "When I met you in the restaurant, you could tell I was no debutante". The song is also influenced by the popular Phil Spector phenomenon, the wall of sound, which utilizes multiple layers of the same various instruments to create a full and voluminous sound or atmosphere.

Music Video

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 [1].

Release history

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

Chart performance

Chart (1979) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart 2
Canadian Singles Chart 6
Norwegian Singles Chart 6
New Zealand Singles Chart 9
Netherlands Singles Chart 12
Norwegian Singles Chart 18
Austrian Singles Chart 18
Swedish Singles Chart 19
German Singles Chart 26
US Billboard Hot 100 27
Australian Singles Chart 53

Cover versions, appearances in other media etc.

The Smashing Pumpkins covered the song on their 1996 The Aeroplane Flies High box-set. Bassist D'Arcy Wretzky and singer Billy Corgan shared vocal duties on the track. The cover had a different beat, which was very slow and reminiscent of trip-hop.

The Posies covered it during a live radio performance. Their version appears on the 2000 box set "At Least At Last".

Yo La Tengo covered it on the 1992 various-artists album entitled Freedom Of Choice: Yesterday's New Wave Hits As Performed By Today's Stars.

Amy Speace performs a country cover of this song on her 2006 album Songs for Bright Street.

Jeff Tweedy of Wilco covered it on October 21, 1999.

Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles recorded a version which appears on the deluxe edition of their 2009 album Under the Covers, Vol. 2.

Was featured in the 2008 film Zack and Miri Make a Porno.

Pop-punk band The Backseat Virgins covered it on their album Carl.

Was also featured in the 1998 film SLC Punk!

References

  1. ^ Che, Cathy (1999), 'Deborah Harry: Platinum Blonde', MPG Books Ltd, Cornwall, p.96