Big City Dreams

Last updated
"Big City Dreams"
Single by Never Shout Never
from the EP The Yippee
ReleasedJuly 18, 2008
Genre
Length3:13
Label Loveway Records
Songwriter(s) Christofer Drew
Producer(s) Drew
Never Shout Never singles chronology
"Big City Dreams"
(2008)		"Trouble"
(2008)
Music video
"Big City Dreams" on YouTube

"Big City Dreams" is a song by American indie rock band, Never Shout Never. The song was released on July 18, 2008 as the debut and lead single from their second EP, The Yippee EP. [2] It peaked at number one on the Billboard US Hot Singles Sales chart. [3]

Contents

Background and composition

"Big City Dreams" was written and produced by Christofer Drew. The track runs at 68 BPM and is in the key of C major. [4] The song has been described as a folk-pop song by MTV. [5] It has also been described as Never Shout Never's "big break" into the music industry. [6] Drew performed the song live on MTV TRL on July 30, 2008. [7]

Critical reception

James Shotwell of Under the Gun Review gave a positive review for the track stating, "A beautiful piano line mixed with tambourine and guitar sinks under your skin while he vocals take you away to a warm summer day in a field with the one you love. The song is gorgeous, simple, and sure to become the song many teens share with their 'secret' crushes." [8] Andy Gesner of Hip Video Promo noted, "its just the sort of bracing and emotionally-forthright pop that connects with young listeners. Its narrative, too, is an easy one to identify with." [9]

Music video

The music video for "Big City Dreams" was released in December 2008 and was directed by Isaac Ravishankara. [10] The video was shot in Red Hook, Brooklyn. [11] The video features actress Laura Gilreath as Drew's love interest. [12] The music video begins with Drew in his living room sitting with his girlfriend before she leaves the Midwest. As she walks through the streets of the town she's abandoning, a ball of yellow yarn attached to her ankle begins to unravel. Drew grabs hold of the loose end and walks the same roads as she does, spooling it up in his arms. Finally, he catches up to her in an industrial section of town as she has already taken to the air. Resigned to his fate, the singer lets go of the kite string and watches her sail away. [9]

Charts

Chart performance for "Big City Dreams"
Chart (2009)Peak
position
US Hot Singles Sales ( Billboard ) [3] 1

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurythmics</span> British music duo

Eurythmics were a British pop duo formed in 1980, consisting of Scottish vocalist Annie Lennox and English musician and producer Dave Stewart. They were both previously in the Tourists, a band that broke up in 1980. They released their first studio album, In the Garden, in 1981 to little success, but achieved global acclaim with their second album, Sweet Dreams (1983). The title track became a worldwide hit, reaching number two in the UK Singles Chart, and number one in Canada and the US Billboard Hot 100. Eurythmics went on to release a string of hit singles and albums, including "Love Is a Stranger", "There Must Be an Angel " and "Here Comes the Rain Again", before splitting in 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chantal Claret</span> American singer-songwriter

Chantal Claret Euringer is an American singer-songwriter. She is best known as the lead singer for the rock and power pop band Morningwood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teardrops on My Guitar</span> 2007 single by Taylor Swift

"Teardrops on My Guitar" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, who wrote it with Liz Rose. In the United States, the song was the second single from Swift's 2006 self-titled debut album; Big Machine Records released it to country radio on February 20, 2007, and to pop radio as a crossover single on November 9, 2007. An international mix was included on the international edition of Swift's second studio album, Fearless, and released as a single in Europe on May 7, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metro Station (band)</span> American pop rock band

Metro Station was an American pop rock band that was formed in Los Angeles, California by singer Mason Musso and bassist/guitarist Trace Cyrus. In late 2006, the band signed a recording contract with Columbia Records and RED Ink Records. The band is best known for the commercially successful hit single "Shake It" from the group's self-titled debut album. In 2010, tension between Cyrus and Musso caused the band to go on hiatus. In 2011, the band returned, however, it was announced that Cyrus was no longer a part of the group and Musso had purchased the rights to the name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lykke Li</span> Swedish singer (born 1986)

Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson, known as Lykke Li, is a Swedish singer, songwriter, model and actress. Her music often blends elements of indie pop, dream pop and electronic. Her debut studio album, Youth Novels, was released in 2008, and has been followed by Wounded Rhymes (2011), I Never Learn (2014), So Sad So Sexy (2018), and Eyeye (2022). She is best known for her biggest hit single to date, "I Follow Rivers".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Your Wildest Dreams</span> 1986 single by The Moody Blues

"Your Wildest Dreams" is a 1986 single by the progressive rock band the Moody Blues, written by Justin Hayward. The song was first released as a single, and later released on the Moody Blues' 1986 album The Other Side of Life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trace Cyrus</span> American musician

Trace Dempsey Cyrus is an American musician. The son of country music singer Billy Ray Cyrus and brother of recording artists Miley Cyrus and Noah Cyrus, he was the backing vocalist and guitarist of the band Metro Station. In 2010, he began providing vocals and guitar in the pop rock band Ashland HIGH. He also owns the clothing company From Backseats to Bedrooms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelsey (song)</span> 2007 single by Metro Station

"Kelsey" is a song by American pop band Metro Station. It was released on August 7, 2007 as the first single from their debut album, Metro Station. It was re-released on March 17, 2009, after the success of "Shake It" and "Seventeen Forever".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never Shout Never</span> American rock band

Never Shout Never was an American rock band formed in Joplin, Missouri, in 2007. Vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Christofer Drew began the band as a solo project before expanding it to a band, whose best-known lineup included himself, bassist Taylor MacFee, and drummer Hayden Kaiser. The band that accompanied Drew when it was a solo project were originally known as "The Shout". Never Shout Never released eight full-length albums and nine EPs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hey Monday</span> American rock band

Hey Monday was an American rock band from West Palm Beach, Florida, formed in 2008. They released their debut album Hold On Tight in 2008, which produced the singles "Homecoming" and "How You Love Me Now". The album was followed up with their 2010 EP Beneath It All, which achieved moderate commercial success, and the Candles EP in 2011. Their final release, The Christmas EP, was released on December 6, 2011. The band is on hiatus and claims to be not "broken up". Cassadee Pope has since released three studio albums as a solo artist and became the first female winner of The Voice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweet Dreams (Beyoncé song)</span> 2009 single by Beyoncé

"Sweet Dreams" is a song recorded by American singer Beyoncé from her third studio album I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). Originally titled "Beautiful Nightmare", it leaked online in March 2008. The song was written and produced by Beyoncé, James Scheffer, Wayne Wilkins, and Rico Love. Columbia Records released "Sweet Dreams" as the album's sixth single, to mainstream radio and rhythmic contemporary radio playlists in the United States on June 2, 2009, and elsewhere on July 13. It is an electropop song whose instrumentation includes synthesizers, a keyboard, and snare drums. Beyoncé employs slinky vocals to sing the lyrics, which describe a romantic relationship that the female protagonist believes could be a dream.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paranoid (Kanye West song)</span> 2009 single by Kanye West featuring Mr Hudson

"Paranoid" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his fourth studio album, 808s & Heartbreak (2008). The song features vocals from English musician Mr Hudson and background vocals from fellow American rapper Kid Cudi. West handled the production, with co-production from Jeff Bhasker and Plain Pat. The song was written by the producers alongside Kid Cudi and American rapper Consequence. It was serviced to top 40 radio stations in the United States on March 23, 2009, as the fourth and final single from the album. An upbeat new wave track, the song features electronic drum effects and pop synths. Its lyrical content is centered around West being pushed away by the mistrustful thinking of a woman that he is in love with.

<i>What Is Love?</i> (Never Shout Never album) 2010 studio album by Never Shout Never

What Is Love? is the first studio album by American rock band Never Shout Never, which was released on January 26, 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Ready Set</span> American singer-songwriter, performer, and musician

Jordan Mark Witzigreuter, known professionally as The Ready Set, is an American singer-songwriter from Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States. He is the lead vocalist and sole member of the act, using a backup band while on tour. He has released six studio albums, Syntax and Bright Lights, Tantrum Castle, I'm Alive, I'm Dreaming, The Bad & the Better, I Will Be Nothing Without Your Love and Cherryland, nine extended plays and nineteen singles. He is best known for the commercially successful single "Love Like Woe" from his major label debut, I'm Alive, I'm Dreaming.

<i>Harmony</i> (Never Shout Never album) 2010 studio album by Never Shout Never

Harmony is the second studio album by Never Shout Never and was released on August 24, 2010. The album was streamed on his MySpace on August 22, 2010. Harmony debuted at number 14 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and sold 23,000 copies in its first week.

Never Shout Never is an American indie rock band, formed in Joplin, Missouri in 2007. The band has released eight albums, nine extended plays, and 20 singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christofer Drew</span> American musician

Christofer Drew Ingle is an American painter and former musician best known as the frontman and guitarist of former bands indie rock Never Shout Never, and experimental metal band Eat Me Raw.

<i>Black Cat</i> (Never Shout Never album) 2015 studio album by Never Shout Never

Black Cat is the seventh studio album by American rock band Never Shout Never, featuring 10 tracks. It was released on August 7, 2015 through Warner Bros. Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everything I Ask For</span> 2008 promotional single by The Maine

"Everything I Ask For" is a song by American pop punk band The Maine. It was released on June 10, 2008, as the first promotional single from their debut studio album Can't Stop Won't Stop. The song is considered to be one of their most popular songs to date and became the group's first and only charting song on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 19.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trouble (Never Shout Never song)</span> 2008 single by Never Shout Never

"Trouble" is a song by American indie rock band, Never Shout Never. It was released on December 29, 2008, as the only single from their third EP Me & My Uke. The song has been labelled as Never Shout Never's "breakout hit." The song peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot Singles Sales chart and was certified Gold by the RIAA in May 2012.

References

  1. ↑ "20 neon pop-punk songs you probably forgot". Alternative Press . September 9, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Never Shout Never - Crazed Hits". Crazed Hits. July 18, 2008. Archived from the original on December 29, 2010. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Hot Singles Sales - Big City Dreams". Billboard . January 17, 2009. Archived from the original on January 29, 2009. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Key and BPM of Big City Dreams - Never Shout Never". Musicstax.com. July 3, 2009. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Buzzworthy Obsession: Never Shout Never". MTV . March 19, 2009. Archived from the original on September 17, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  6. ↑ "BB-2009-03-21" (PDF). March 21, 2009. p. 32. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Big City Dreams (Live) | Never Shout Never | Music Video". MTV . July 31, 2008. Archived from the original on March 18, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  8. ↑ James Shotwell (July 26, 2008). "Unsigned Spotlight – Never Shout Never – The Yippee EP". Under the Gun Review. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  9. 1 2 Andy Gesner (December 13, 2008). "Nevershoutnever! 'Bigcitydreams'". Hip Video Promo. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Big City Dreams (2008) by Never Shout Never". IMVDb. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  11. ↑ Kaj Roth (January 29, 2009). "Nevershoutnever To Release Self Titled Debut This May". Melodic . Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  12. ↑ "NeverShoutNever! Making the "Big City Dreams" Video". Veoh . Our Stage. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.