A Dream (DeBarge song)

Last updated
"A Dream"
Single by DeBarge
from the album In a Special Way
ReleasedSeptember 24, 1983
Recorded1982-1983
Genre R&B, soul
Length4:23
Label Gordy
Songwriter(s) Bunny DeBarge
Producer(s) El DeBarge

"A Dream" is a song by DeBarge. Written by Bunny DeBarge and produced by El DeBarge, the song is from their hit album In a Special Way . Although the track was not released as a single, the song has been popular over the years on R&B radio and has been sampled by several artists in the hip-hop and urban contemporary genres.

Contents

Background

"A Dream" was one of the few songs in which DeBarge member, sister Bunny DeBarge, played a role as both its songwriter and its lead vocalist while her four brothers (Mark, Randy, El and James DeBarge) sang in the background. The song talked of a woman's dose of reality when she realizes the happiness she thought she felt with a suitor wasn't real, recalling how at one point she and her lover "danced to a melody" of a song, then when "the music stops", she realizes the dream is "haunting (her) again".

Samples, covers and other use

• In the following years, the song would be used as a sample for some R&B and hip-hop songs, mainly used in the basis of hit singles for Blackstreet (their 1997 hit, "Don't Leave Me"), 2Pac (his 1996 single, "I Ain't Mad At Cha"), Children of the Corn ("American Dream"), and Fifth Harmony ("We Know" song off their 2015 album, Reflection).
• In 1997, R&B singer Mary J. Blige covered the song for the soundtrack to the Chris Tucker film, Money Talks .
• In 1997, during a scene in the film Soul Food , Miles (portrayed by Michael Beach) played a variation of the song's instrumental intro as rehearsal for his wife's cousin Faith (Gina Ravera) for a dance audition.
• In 2003 Keshia Chanté used a sample of it in a song titled "Unpredictable".
• It was used in 2008 by Lady Gaga on the song "Paper Gangsta."
Z-Ro used the sample for his song “I Don’t Give a Damn” from his 2009 album, Cocaine
• Victoria Beckham sampled "A Dream" in an unreleased song she recorded titled "Right Back To You"
• Sampled in "Whatever You Need" by Meek Mill in 2017.
• Sampled in Lie To Me by Queen Naija and Lil Durk in 2020.

Personnel

Related Research Articles

Mario Mendell Winans is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist best known for his 2004 song "I Don't Wanna Know", which reached number 2 in the United States and number 1 in the United Kingdom. Winans also won a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance for co-writing CeCe Winans's song "Pray".

DeBarge American R&B, soul and funk musical group

DeBarge was an American musical recording group composed of several members of the DeBarge family. In addition to various solo projects completed by members of the family, DeBarge was active between 1979 and 1989. The group originally consisted of Mark, Randy, Bunny and El. James joined the group a year later for their second album. Bobby and Chico joined in 1987 and 1988 respectively, replacing Bunny and El.

Eldra Patrick "El" DeBarge is an American singer-songwriter, musician and producer. He was the focal point and primary lead singer of the family group DeBarge. Popular songs led by El DeBarge include "Time Will Reveal", "Who's Holding Donna Now", "Stay with Me", "All This Love", and "Rhythm of the Night". As a solo artist, he is best known for his unique high tenor register, strong falsetto and hits like "Who's Johnny" and "Love Always". He's also collaborated with artists such as Dionne Warwick, Al Green, Lalah Hathaway, Tone Loc, Babyface, Faith Evans, Quincy Jones, Fourplay, and DJ Quik. DeBarge is a five-time Grammy Award nominee.

All I Do Is Think of You 1975 single by The Jackson 5

"All I Do Is Think of You" is a song released by The Jackson 5 as the B-side to the group's single, "Forever Came Today" on the Motown label in 1975, and was the final charted single the group issued as The Jackson 5 before they left Motown for CBS the following year. It was featured on their final Motown album, Moving Violation.

Etterlene "Bunny" DeBarge is an American soul singer–songwriter, best known as the lone female sibling of the Motown family group DeBarge. She is also best known as the lead vocalist behind the classic R&B ballad, "A Dream" from the group's In a Special Way album and is also the co-writer of the group's 1982 breakthrough hit, "I Like It" and the number-one hit, "Time Will Reveal".

"(At Your Best) You Are Love" is a song by The Isley Brothers, originally a radio hit in 1976. It was originally dedicated to their mother.

If It Isnt Love 1988 single by New Edition

"If It Isn't Love" is a 1988 song by American R&B quintet New Edition, and the first single from their fifth studio album, Heart Break. The song became the biggest hit from the aforementioned album, reaching the top ten of the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number seven, and reached the second position on the Hot Black Singles chart. Its chart performance and well-received music video garnered the quintet their first nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 31st Grammy Awards in February 1989. The song and video is also notable for being the introduction of fellow R&B singer Johnny Gill as a new member of the R&B quintet.

The Breaks (song) 1980 single by Kurtis Blow

"The Breaks" is a 1980 single by American rapper Kurtis Blow from his self-titled debut album. It peaked at #87 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was the first certified gold rap song, and the second certified gold 12-inch single. In 2008, the song ranked #10 on VH1's 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs.

<i>El DeBarge</i> (album) 1986 studio album by El DeBarge

El DeBarge is the debut album by El DeBarge. It was released in 1986 on Gordy Records and featured the three hit singles, "Who's Johnny," which peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, "Love Always," which reached #43, and "Someone," which was a Top 20 Billboard A/C hit and made it to #70 on the Hot 100. Singer/actress Vanity featured on backing vocals on the track, "Secrets Of The Night". This album was certified by RIAA as gold in September, 1986, selling over 500,000 copies.

<i>Rhythm of the Night</i> (album) 1985 studio album by DeBarge

Rhythm of the Night is the fourth studio album by DeBarge, released by Gordy Records on March 14, 1985. It reached #19 on the Billboard 200 and #3 on the R&B Album Chart. The album was also certified Gold by the RIAA.

I Like It (DeBarge song) 1982 single by DeBarge

"I Like It" is a 1982 R&B/Soul song by American family band DeBarge. Released on August 20, 1982 by Motown Records (Gordy), It was the second single from their second studio album, All This Love.

All This Love (DeBarge song) 1982 single by DeBarge

"All This Love" is a single by DeBarge, released on October 17, 1982. The song was released as the third and final single from their second studio album of the same title on the Gordy label. The single would help DeBarge rise to R&B stardom. A cover version of the song was recorded by Patti LaBelle on her 1994 gold album Gems. A video for her version was also filmed.

Time Will Reveal (song) 1983 single by DeBarge

"Time Will Reveal" is a single by DeBarge and released in September 1983 as the first single off the group's third album, In a Special Way on the Gordy label. It was also the group's biggest hit prior to the group's 1985 hit, "Rhythm of the Night".

Love Me in a Special Way 1983 single by DeBarge

"Love Me In a Special Way" is a single by DeBarge, released on November 20, 1983. It was the second and final single from their third studio album, In a Special Way on the Gordy label.

Rhythm of the Night (song) 1985 single by DeBarge

"Rhythm of the Night" is a single by DeBarge, written by Diane Warren, released on February 23, 1985. It was a single from their fourth studio album, of the same name on the Motown label. The song jump-started the career of the prolific Warren, and was the biggest hit recorded by the Motown family singing group, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, prevented from further chart movement by Madonna's "Crazy for You" and USA for Africa's "We Are the World".

<i>All This Love</i> (album) 1982 studio album by DeBarge

All This Love is the second studio album by DeBarge, released by Gordy Records on April 22, 1982.

<i>In a Special Way</i> 1983 studio album by DeBarge

In a Special Way is the third studio album by American R&B group DeBarge, released by Gordy Records on September 24, 1983. It was recorded at Kendun Records in Burbank and Westlake Audio in West Hollywood; written and produced by lead vocalist El DeBarge with additional writing by Mark, James and Bunny DeBarge.

"Stay With Me" is a song by DeBarge, issued on their acclaimed album, In a Special Way.

The DeBarge family is a family of rhythm and blues artists from Grand Rapids, Michigan.

You Wear It Well (DeBarge song) 1985 single by DeBarge

"You Wear It Well" is a song recorded by DeBarge for the Gordy label. It was released as the third single off their fourth album, Rhythm of the Night; the single release was credited to "El DeBarge with DeBarge."