In Dreams

Roy Orbison

About In Dreams

"In Dreams" is a song composed and sung by rock and roll performer Roy Orbison. An operatic ballad of lost love, it was released as a single on Monument Records in February 1963. It became the title track on the album In Dreams, released in July of the same year. The song has a unique structure in seven musical movements in which Orbison sings through two octaves, beyond the range of most rock and roll singers. The song peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 charts at number 7, and charted in the United Kingdom for five months while Orbison toured sharing billing with the Beatles. It gained notability again in 1987 when Orbison released a re-recorded anthology of his greatest hits; the year prior David Lynch had used the song provocatively in his dark thriller Blue Velvet, helping to revive Orbison's career. The theme of the song was interwoven in similar compositions throughout his tenure as a musician. As a result, several collections of Orbison's music share the title of the song. Rolling Stone listed "In Dreams" at number 319 of their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. 


Year:
1997
2:49
912 
#2

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A candy-colored clown they call the sandman
Tiptoes to my room every night
Just to sprinkle star dust and to whisper
"Go to sleep, everything is alright"

I close my eyes then I drift away
Into the magic night, I softly say
A silent prayer like dreamers do
Then I fall asleep to dream my dreams of you

In dreams I walk with you
In dreams I talk to you
In dreams you're mine all the time
We're together in dreams, in dreams

But just before the dawn
I awake and find you gone
I can't help it, I can't help it if I cry
I remember that you said goodbye

Too bad it only seems
It only happens in my dreams
Only in dreams
In beautiful dreams.

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Roy Orbison

Roy Kelton Orbison (April 23, 1936 – December 6, 1988), also known by the nickname 'The Big O', was an American singer-songwriter, best known for his distinctive, powerful voice, complex compositions, and dark emotional ballads. Orbison grew up in Texas and began singing in a rockabilly/country and western band in high school until he was signed by Sun Records in Memphis. His greatest success came with Monument Records between 1960 and 1964, when 22 of his songs placed on the Billboard Top Forty, including "Only the Lonely", "Crying", and "Oh, Pretty Woman". His career stagnated through the 1970s, but several covers of his songs and the use of "In Dreams" in David Lynch's Blue Velvet revived his career in the 1980s. In 1988, he joined the supergroup Traveling… more »

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Written by: Roy Orbison

Lyrics © Orbi-Lee Music, Barbara Orbison Music Company, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, R-Key Darkus

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


25 facts about this song

Release Details
"In Dreams" is a song by Roy Orbison from his third studio album of the same name, released in 1963.
Chart Performance
The song peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. It also reached No. 6 on the Australian Singles Chart and No. 2 in the UK Singles Chart.
Composition
The song is known for its haunting lyrics, filled with heartache and longing. It is written in the key of F major.
Famous Performance
Orbison performed the song on the monumentally popular "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1964, broadening its popularity.
Songwriting
"In Dreams" was reportedly written while Orbison was sleeping. He woke up and had the song almost fully formed in his mind.
Cultural Influence
It became one of Orbison's signature songs and was notably used in the 1986 film "Blue Velvet" directed by David Lynch, further embedding it in popular culture.
Recording Process
The recording of the song features Orbison's distinctive 'voice of doom' style of singing, showing his significant vocal range.
Cover Versions
Many artists have covered "In Dreams", including Glen Campbell, Chris Isaak, and REM, displaying its enduring appeal.
Re-release
In 1987, following its appearance in "Blue Velvet", the song was re-released in the UK and reached number 65 on the charts, nearly 24 years after its first release.
Recognition
In 2004, "In Dreams" was included in the "Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list.
Musical Structure
The song breaks convention by moving to the chorus after the first verse, instead of following a traditional verse-chorus format.
Pop-Culture Reference
The song is referenced in Stephen King’s "Rose Madder" - the specific lyric "a candy-colored clown they call the sandman" is quoted.
Legacy
It remains a popular choice for soundtracks and has been used in numerous films and television shows, including "The Sopranos" and "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.", testament to its continuing cultural resonance.
Song Release
"In Dreams" was released by American singer-songaler Roy Orbison on February 15, 1963.
Chart Performance
The song reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 6 in the UK charts, making it one of Orbison's most successful singles.
Album Feature
The song is also the title track of Orbison's second studio album which was released on July 2, 1963.
Song Recognition
Over the years, "In Dreams" has been recognized as one of Orbison's hallmark songs and was included in the Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list in 2004.
Song Composition
The song is known for its haunting melody that gradually builds in intensity and range, perfectly showcasing Orbison's signature powerful vocals.
Cinematic Appearance
Director David Lynch used "In Dreams" effectively in his film "Blue Velvet," further increasing the song's popularity and cultural significance.
Song Duration
“In Dreams" is only 2:48 minutes long, but it is noted for its intricate composition which contains seven movements - an intro, four verses, a bridge, and an outro.
Music Video
A music video was released for the song in 1987, featuring Orbison performing the song in concert, further exposing "In Dreams" to a new generation of fans.
Song Covers
The song has since been covered by numerous artists across different ages and genres, further demonstrating its timeless appeal.
Performance Style
"In Dreams" showcases Orbison's unique voice and style, with dramatic transitions from whispery crooning to powerful belting. It is praised as a stunning example of the 'Nashville sound' a popular style of country music in the 1950s and 1960s.
Song Symbolism
The song itself is a dream sequence telling a sad story of lost love, amplifying the themes of heartbreak and longing that often characterize Orbison's music.
Grammy Hall of Fame
In 2017, the song was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or artistically significant".

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    In Dreams

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1963

    Billboard #7


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