"Don't Dream It's Over" is a song byrock bandCrowded House, recorded for their 1986self-titled debut studio album.[6] The song was composed and written by New Zealand frontmanNeil Finn and released in October 1986[2] as the fourthsingle from the album.
"Don't Dream It's Over" became the band's biggest international hit, reachingNo. 2 on the USBillboard Hot 100 in April 1987. The song reached No. 1 in Canada and in Finn's native New Zealand, while in Australia, it peaked at No. 8. In continental Europe, it reached No. 6 in Norway, No. 27 in the Netherlands, No. 13 in West Germany, and No. 25 in the United Kingdom. At the1986 Countdown Australian Music Awards the song was nominated for three awards, winning Best Video.[7][8]
In May 2001, theAustralasian Performing Right Association (APRA) ranked "Don't Dream It's Over" second on its list of the Top 100 New Zealand songs of all time[9] and seventh on its list of the Top 100 Australian songs of all time.[10] In January 2018, as part ofTriple M's "Ozzest 100", the 'most Australian' songs of all time, "Don't Dream It's Over" was ranked number 65.[11] In 2025 the song was voted 5th in theTriple J Hottest 100 of Australian Songs.[12] The song has been recorded by other artists, includingPaul Young,Sixpence None the Richer, and New Zealand artistStan Walker—the latter producing aMāori version titledMoemoeā ("Dream").[13][14]
AllMusic described the song as a "majesticballad".[16]Cash Box said "The easy going and pretty song camouflages a pained longing. Neil Finn's voice, recognisable from his stint withSplit Enz, is reedy and expressive and full of irony."[17]
The music video for the song was produced by Australian film production company Meaningful Eye Contact and was directed byAlex Proyas. The video features somesurreal special effects such as household objects—including shattering crockery—and film reels that float in the air, with lead singer Neil Finn playing a guitar and walking through the same house during different time periods while his bandmates are either performing household chores or playing various backing instruments. The video was nominated for Best Group Video and Best Direction at the 1987MTV Video Music Awards, and earned the band a Best New Artist award.[18]
"Don't Dream It's Over", written byNeil Finn. "That's What I Call Love", written by Neil Finn andPaul Hester. All tracks on vinyl, from the albumCrowded House except the extended version of "Don't Dream It's Over". All live tracks, recorded onPhil Jupitus Show at BBC GLR, 21 June 1996.
"Don't Dream It's Over" was the secondradio single released in promotion of the albumDivine Discontent bySixpence None the Richer. The commercial single release features theB-side "Don't Pass Me By," which was recorded during the sessions forDivine Discontent. Their version was also included in the 2003 compilation albumSmallville: The Talon Mix.[68]
Italian singer-songwriterAntonello Venditti performed an adaptation inItalian entitled "Alta marea" ("High Tide"), inspired byMonte Argentario[78][79] and recorded for his 1991 albumBenvenuti in paradiso (Welcome to Heaven), which remains one of his best-remembered songs to this day. A 16-year-oldAngelina Jolie appears in the video.[80][81]
^Bailey, Marck;Comprehensive discography of Crowded House including track listings for all albums and singles. Released 28 March 1995. Retrieved 5 July 2007. Site offline after 2008.
^Kent, David (1993).Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 78.ISBN0-646-11917-6. N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed byARIA between mid-1983 and 12 June 1988.
