"Just a Dream" is a song by American rapper Nelly, released as the lead single from his sixth album 5.0 in 2010. The song was written by Mitch J, Nelly, Rico Love, Jim Jonsin and Frank Romano with Jonsin and Love producing the song. The song was released on August 16, 2010, to iTunes Stores around the world for digital download. It was released alongside the promotional single, "Tippin' In da Club". On October 6, 2010, the song was certified triple platinum by the RIAA.RIAA - Gold & Platinum - December 22, 2010
Composition
Nelly said, "I think that the way the whole song plays out, with the beat and the lyrics, I think it comes together in the sense of it's almost a timeless song."
Many have speculated "Just a Dream" is actually about Nelly's relationship with Ashanti. He responds in an interview for "That Grape Juice", "No it's not about Ashanti. It's just a song that I and my man [Rico] came up with. It's a song that just relatable on all levels – rich, poor, black, white, child, adult – whatever level it is. If [thinking it’s about Ashanti] is what helps people to go out and support it then so be it (giggles)."
The music is a sample of the track "Variations sur Marilou" by the French singer Serge Gainsbourg (1976).
Chart performance "Just a Dream" made its first chart appearance, debuting on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number twelve and peaking at number three in its eighth week. The song also debuted at number 38 on Billboards Mainstream Top 40 chart,"Chart Highlights: Country, Dance/Club Play Songs & More ". Billboard.com. August 16, 2010. and debuted at number eight on the Billboard Digital Songs chart, selling 135,000 downloads in its first week.[ Digital Songs | Billboard.com]Nelly's Just a Dream Makes Debut on Charts. Rap-Up. Retrieved August 27, 2010. "Just a Dream" is Nelly's highest-charting song since his 2005 single "Grillz". and debuted at number 22 on the Billboard Rap Songs chart. As of November 2013, the song has sold over 4 million copies in the United States.
The song entered the Canadian Hot 100 in August 2010, at number 32. It debuted in Australia (ARIA Charts) at number 24; on the New Zealand Singles Chart at number 29; Switzerland (Media Control AG) at number 52; and the UK Singles Chart at number 8.
Live performances Nelly performed "Just a Dream" during a free concert to help promote St. Louis' bid for the 2012 Democratic National Convention at Kiener Plaza on July 29, 2010. He also performed the song during the 2010 MOBO Awards in Liverpool, United Kingdom on October 20, 2010. Nelly performed live for the November 13 Margarito/Pacquiao bout at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas. He also performed on Coke Studio on April 25, 2013, with Egyptian singer Sherine.
Accolades Nelly won "Top Streaming Song" for "Just a Dream" at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards. At the 2011 MuchMusic Video Awards, Nelly was Nominated for "MuchMusic.com Most Watched Video" for "Just a Dream" but lost to Taio Cruz's "Dynamite". The song is also covered in the 2012 musical comedy Pitch Perfect by Anna Kendrick.
Music video Nelly shot the music video to "Just a Dream" on August 26, 2010, at Playa del Rey, Los Angeles. The director of the video is Sanji. Nelly goes sky high in a dramatic black-and-white video, sitting in his car while floating high above the ocean. Nelly looks down on his girl—Kat Graham—as she runs along the shore. Later, he comes down to the ground to take a trip to the club. While searching for his love, he mistakes a girl walking on the street—actress Bianca Siavoshy—for his girlfriend. His dream home, a wedding ring, and his car, items that had been floating above the beach, burst into flames, their ashes falling to the shore below. There are several shots of one of Nelly's eyes shattering as if made of glass.
The car in the video is a custom-made Ford Mustang GT.
The house in the video is a dollhouse called The Emerson House, made by toymaker Brinca Dada.
It premiered on September 21, 2010. Shannon Brown of the Los Angeles Lakers makes a cameo appearance.
Track listing Digital download "Just a Dream" – 3:57
Credits and personnel The credits for "Just a Dream" are adapted from 5.0 album liner notes.
Recording information Recorded in Florida at The Hit Factory Studios and Playland Playhouse, Miami.
Personnel Nelly – vocals, songwriter James Scheffer (Jim Jonsin) – producer, songwriter, keyboards Richard Butler Jr. (Rico Love) – producer, songwriter Frank Romano – guitar, songwriter Robert Marks – recording engineer, audio mixer Ryan Evans – recording engineer Jason Wilkie – recording assistant, mixing assistant Matt Huber – recording assistant, mixing assistant Thurston McCrea – recording assistant, additional engineering Chad Jolley – mixing assistant Brandon Jones – additional engineering
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts Chart (2010–2011)Peakpositionscope="row"scope="row"scope="row"scope="row"scope="row"scope="row"scope="row"scope="row"scope="row"scope="row"scope="row"scope="row"scope="row" Hungary (Editors' Choice Top 40) 40scope="row"scope="row"Mexico Ingles Airplay (Billboard)11scope="row"scope="row"scope="row"scope="row"scope="row" Poland (Polish Airplay New) 1scope="row"scope="row"scope="row"scope="row"scope="row"scope="row"scope="row"scope="row"scope="row"scope="row"scope="row"
Year-end charts Chart (2010)PositionAustralia (ARIA)16Canada (Canadian Hot 100)41Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)44UK Singles (Official Charts Company)68US Billboard Hot 10035US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)32US Rhythmic (Billboard)33 Chart (2011)PositionAustria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)60Canada (Canadian Hot 100)49Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)67 Russia Airplay (Tophit) 47US Billboard Hot 10052US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)34US Rhythmic (Billboard)44
Certifications
Radio and release history Country Date Format United States"Available For Airplay" . FMQB. Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report. Retrieved August 12, 2010.August 10, 2010 JapanAugust 16, 2010Digital download Switzerland Canada August 17, 2010 United States Italyitaliancharts.com - Nelly - Just A Dream August 30, 2010 CD single Brazil September 24, 2010 Airplay United Kingdom October 15, 2010 Digital download Germany November 12, 2010 CD single
References