"Dream Lover" is a song written by American musician Bobby Darin; he recorded his composition on March 5, 1959, and released it as a single the following month. It was produced by Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler and engineered by Tom Dowd. The song has been widely covered by other singers.
Background In addition to Darin's vocal, the song features Neil Sedaka on piano. While recording it, Darin decided to stretch out some chord changes he found on the piano and add strings and voices. A picture sleeve, featuring a portrait of Darin, was also issued for this record in the U.S.
Chart performance It was released as a single on Atco Records in the U.S. in 1959, and became a multimillion seller, reaching number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 for a week,"The Billboard Hot 100", Billboard. June 8, 1959. p. 38. Retrieved February 5, 2021. number 4 on Billboards Hot R&B Sides chart,"Hot R&B Sides", Billboard. June 15, 1959. p. 39. Retrieved February 5, 2021. and number 5 in Canada. "Dream Lover" was kept from the number-one spot by "The Battle of New Orleans" by Johnny Horton. It did reach number 1, though, on the UK's New Musical Express chart for four weeks during July 1959.Bobby Darin - Full Official Chart History, Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 5, 2021. The song also reached number 5 on Norway's VG-lista,Bobby Darin - Dream Lover, norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved February 5, 2021. number 12 in Flanders, and number 21 in Wallonia.Bobby Darin - Dream Lover, Ultratop. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
Certifications
Cover versions In 1971, Billy "Crash" Craddock released his version of "Dream Lover" as a single. Craddock's version reached number 1 on Cash Boxs Country Top 65 chart"Cash Box Country Top 65", Cash Box. September 4, 1971. p. 64. Retrieved February 5, 2021. and Record Worlds Country Singles Chart,"The Country Singles Chart", Record World. August 28, 1971. p. 45. Retrieved February 5, 2021. while reaching number 5 on Billboards Hot Country Singles chart."Hot Country Singles", Billboard. August 14, 1971. p. 26. Retrieved February 5, 2021. Craddock's version was included on his 1972 album You Better Move On."Billboard Album Reviews", Billboard. February 5, 1972. p. 54. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
In 1979, Ricky Nelson released a cover of "Dream Lover". His version reached number 29 on Billboards Adult Contemporary chart and number 59 on Billboards Hot Country Singles chart. He sang the song on his appearance on Saturday Night Live. Also in 1979, Australian Glen Shorrock of Little River Band covered it. It was in the Australian Top 10 for eighteen weeks that year.See here ()
Tanya Tucker and Glen Campbell released a duet version in 1980 on the album Dreamlovers. Their version hit number 59 on the US country chart, and number 48 in Canada.
References