"Dreams Don't Turn to Dust" | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Promotional single by Owl City | |
from the album All Things Bright and Beautiful | |
Released | October 10, 2011 |
Studio | Sky Harbor Studios |
Genre | |
Length | 3:44 |
Label | Universal Republic |
Songwriter(s) | Adam Young |
Producer(s) | Young |
"Dreams Don't Turn to Dust" is a song by American electronica project Owl City. The song was released on October 10, 2011 as the second promotional single from his third studio album, All Things Bright and Beautiful via Universal Republic. [3] It was released exclusively in the United Kingdom.
On April 6, 2011, Young released previews of four tracks from the album including "Dreams Don't Turn to Dust". [4] In an interview with Sugarscape, Young confirmed that the song would be the next single from the album released on October 10, 2011. Speaking about how the song came together, he stated, "Outside of music I've always dreamed of being an underwater welder - like a commercial scuba diver who dives down and welds rivets under water." [3]
"Dreams Don't Turn to Dust" was written and produced by Adam Young. The track runs at 90 BPM and is in the key of G-sharp major. [5] Young's range in the song spans from the notes B♭3 – B♭5. [6] The song incorporates synth-pop with influences of hip-hop. Young stated he was inspired by the American hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest. [2] He stated, "I wanted to use a hip-hop influence that no one would expect. I was listening to a lot of Tribe and I love that sort of walking speed of their beats. I knew I wanted to try and pull from that." [2] During the song's breakdown, the track features a similar sound to Owl City's hit song, "Fireflies". [1]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AltSounds | (70%) [1] |
AltSounds gave a positive review describing the track as a "feel-good electropop song." They compared the song to Coldplay's "Paradise" for its "easily digestible, crescendo sense." They ended off stating, "an outsider might notice a twinkle in the listeners eye, perhaps even a spring in ones step." [1]
"Dreams Don't Turn to Dust" was performed live regularly during the All Things Bright and Beautiful Tour and was featured in Owl City's live album Owl City: Live From Los Angeles . [7]
Owl City
Additional musicians and production
Chart (2011) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales (Billboard) [8] | 26 |
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | October 10, 2011 | CD single | Universal Republic | [3] |
Sarath "Skiz" Fernando is a former music critic, who has written for The New York Times, Rolling Stone, The Source, Spin, and Vibe. Later, under the alias Spectre, he became a record producer, rapper, and electronica artist. He is the founder and the head of his own label WordSound, as well as the author of several books about hip hop music.
Miri Ben-Ari is an Israeli–American violinist, singer, record producer, and humanitarian. She is known as "the hip-hop violinist".
"Rebel Without a Pause" is a song by hip hop group Public Enemy and the first single from their 1988 album, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back. The title is a reference to the 1955 film Rebel Without a Cause.
Owl City is an American electronic music project created in 2007 in Owatonna, Minnesota. It is one of several projects by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Adam Young, who created the project while experimenting with music in his parents' basement. Owl City developed a following on the social networking site Myspace, like many musicians who achieved success in the late 2000s, before signing with Universal Republic Records, now Republic Records, in 2008.
"Fireflies" is the debut single from American electronica project Owl City's album Ocean Eyes. Frontman Adam Young wrote the track about seeing fireflies in his hometown of Owatonna, Minnesota while he was awake with insomnia. Matt Thiessen produced the song and provided guest vocals. The song is built around a "bleepy" synthline and includes lyrics about insomnia, fireflies and summer.
Maybe I'm Dreaming is the debut studio album by American electronica project Owl City, released on March 17, 2008. Despite having been self-released and not recorded by any major producer, it managed to reach the top 20 of the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart.
The discography of American electronica project Owl City consists of seven studio albums, eight extended plays, twenty-six singles, and twenty-five music videos. Owl City issued his debut release, the extended play Of June, in September 2007; it peaked at number 15 on the United States Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart. His debut studio album Maybe I'm Dreaming followed in December 2008, peaking at number 13 on the Dance/Electronic Albums chart. Following the success of Of June and Maybe I'm Dreaming, Young signed to Universal Republic Records in late 2008. His second studio album and major-label debut, Ocean Eyes, was released in July 2009. "Fireflies", the album's lead single, became an international success, peaking at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and becoming a top ten hit in several other countries. In correlation with the success of "Fireflies", Ocean Eyes peaked at number eight on the US Billboard 200 and was later certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). An additional two singles were released from the album: "Vanilla Twilight" and "Umbrella Beach".
"Castle Walls" is a song by American rapper T.I. featuring American singer Christina Aguilera, from the former's seventh studio album No Mercy (2010). Alex da Kid produced the song and co-wrote it along with Skylar Grey and T.I. The song was initially produced for Diddy's album Last Train to Paris, but Diddy felt that "Castle Walls" would be better suited to T.I.; Aguilera was later chosen as the featured artist on the song. A hip hop and electro number, "Castle Walls" received mixed response from music critics, some of whom picked it as a highlight from No Mercy, and some others criticized the song's lyrics. Despite not being released as a single, the track still managed to appear on record charts of several nations, including on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles, where it peaked at number five.
All Things Bright and Beautiful is the third studio album by the American electronica project Owl City. It was released on June 14, 2011, by Universal Republic Records. Despite receiving mixed critical reviews, it became a commercial success, reaching No. 6 on the Billboard 200.
"Alligator Sky" is a song by American electronica project Owl City from his third studio album All Things Bright and Beautiful. It was released as the lead single from the album on March 22, 2011. Four versions of the song were released: The first features Californian rapper Shawn Chrystopher, the second version omits Chrystopher's vocals, a third version featuring Atlanta rapper B.o.B leaked online, and a fourth version featuring vocals by Big Boi of Atlanta hip-hop duo OutKast also leaked online. The song debuted at the No. 1 spot on the iTunes Electronic Track chart.
Shawn Chrystopher Garrett II is an American rapper and music producer. He first gained major attention with the release of his debut mixtape I.W.G.: I Wear Glasses in 2008, which was sponsored by urban-clothing powerhouse LRG. Chrystopher also worked with artist Timbaland, Yelawolf, MANN, XV, Mike Posner, Big Sean, N.O.R.E., Owl City, Dom Kennedy and many other artists spanning a variety of different genres.
"Deer in the Headlights" is a song by American electronica project Owl City. The song was released on May 23, 2011 as the first promotional single from his third studio album, All Things Bright and Beautiful. In promotion of the single, a music video was released on June 30, 2011.
The Midsummer Station is the fourth studio album by American electronica project Owl City. It was released on August 17, 2012, by Universal Republic Records. The album debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 selling 30,000 copies in its first week. In support of the album, Owl City went on the Midsummer Station World Tour.
"Highlights" is a song by American hip-hop artist Kanye West, from his seventh studio album, The Life of Pablo (2016). The song features vocals from Young Thug and The-Dream. One day before the album was released, West performed the song on Saturday Night Live with Young Thug, El DeBarge, Kelly Price and The-Dream. Within the track, West takes a shot at Ray J. The song was met with mixed reviews from music critics. It was revealed in July 2016 that West had a shot a music video, but it was never released.
Days Before Rodeo is the second commercial mixtape by American rapper Travis Scott. It was released independently on his SoundCloud account on August 18, 2014. The mixtape features guest appearances from Rich Homie Quan, Young Thug, the 1975, Big Sean, Migos, and Peewee Longway, Production was handled by Scott himself, alongside Mike Dean, WondaGurl, Metro Boomin, DJ Dahi, Southside, Lil' C, AudioKlique, Charlie Handsome, FKi 1st, Vinylz, Allen Ritter, Anthony Kilhoffer, Lex Luger, Oz, Syk Sense, Tane Runo, and J. Hill. For its tenth anniversary, the mixtape was released through Cactus Jack and Epic Records on streaming media on August 23, 2024, which features remastered instrumentals and removes a guest feature from TI. The digital deluxe edition of the album is available exclusively on Scott's website and includes five additional songs that did not end up appearing on its original version. A psychedelic trap mixtape, Days Before Rodeo serves as the follow-up to Scott's debut mixtape, Owl Pharaoh (2013), and serves as the prequel to his debut studio album, Rodeo (2015).
"Unbelievable" is a song by American electronica project Owl City. The song was released on June 26, 2015 as the third and final single from his fifth studio album, Mobile Orchestra. The track features American pop rock band Hanson.
Cinematic is the sixth studio album by Owl City. It was released independently via Sky Harbor on June 1, 2018. The album debuted at number 115 on the Billboard 200. Upon the albums release, Young released three "reels" EPs that would include some songs on the album.
"Waving Through a Window" is the second song from Act 1 of the 2015 musical Dear Evan Hansen, which premiered on Broadway in 2016. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul wrote both the music and lyrics for the song, which serves as the main protagonist Evan Hansen's "I Want" song. It has since become the signature tune of the character, one of the musical's most famous songs and an anthem for those who have felt depressed and alone and show a desire for connection.
"Angels" is a song by American electronica act Owl City. It was released on September 20, 2011, for Christian radio airplay as the fourth and final single from his third studio album, All Things Bright and Beautiful.
"Lucid Dream" is a song by American electronica act Owl City. It was released on January 12, 2018, as the third single from his sixth studio album, Cinematic. The song was also released as the lead single from his Reel 2 EP. The song was released independently via Sky Harbor.