Don't Dream It's Over

"Don't Dream It's Over" was composed and written by Neil Finn, the frontman of Crowded House. AudioCulture writer Michael Brown points to the song as a mainstream use of a type of strum developed among Māori guitarists in the 1930s called the "jingajik" or "party strum". The song includes an organ solo. Neil Finn has said that the song was "'pretty much written in a day'". He added, "'I was contemplating the end of things, relationships and the challenges that you face. It's an exhortation to myself – and to anyone who's going through that – to not think it's the end, to keep on pushing, keep on believing. It's a song of hope, I think'". ==Release==

"Don't Dream It's Over" was recorded for Crowded House's 1986 debut album, Crowded House. It was released as a single in October 1986. ==Reception==

A "melancholic but hopeful anthem", and biggest international hit, reaching  2 on the US Billboard 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 Europe, it reached No. 6 in Norway, No. 5 in the Netherlands, No. 13 in West Germany, and No. 25 in the United Kingdom. At the 1986 Countdown Australian Music Awards, the song was nominated for three awards, winning Best Video. In May 2001, the Australasian 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 and seventh on its list of the Top 100 Australian songs of all time. In January 2018, as part of Triple M's "Ozzest 100", the 'most Australian' songs of all time, "Don't Dream It's Over" was ranked number 65. In 2025 the song was voted 5th in the Triple J Hottest 100 of Australian Songs. AllMusic described the song as a "majestic ballad". Cash Box said: "The easy going and pretty song camouflages a pained longing. Neil Finn's voice, recognisable from his stint with Split Enz, is reedy and expressive and full of irony." In 2025, Neil Crossley of MusicRadar.com wrote that "Don't Dream It's Over" "traverses genres and generations. It is also a masterpiece of the songwriting craft which, 40 years since its release, resonates as strongly as ever". ==Music video==

The music video for the song was produced by Australian film production company Meaningful Eye Contact and was directed by Alex Proyas. The video features some surreal 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 1987 MTV Video Music Awards, and earned the band a Best New Artist award. ==Track listings==

"Don't Dream It's Over", written by Neil Finn. "That's What I Call Love", written by Neil Finn and Paul Hester. All tracks on vinyl, from the album Crowded House except the extended version of "Don't Dream It's Over". All live tracks, recorded on Phil Jupitus Show at BBC GLR, 21 June 1996. • 7-inch vinyl • "Don't Dream It's Over" – 4:03 • "That's What I Call Love" – 3:39 • 12-inch vinyl • "Don't Dream It's Over" (Extended version) – 6:10 (only in 12-inch vinyl single) • "Don't Dream It's Over" – 4:03 • "That's What I Call Love" – 3:39 • 7-inch US vinyl (American Pie label) • "Don't Dream It's Over" – 4:03 • "Something So Strong" – 2:51 • 1996 UK CD1 • "Don't Dream It's Over" – 3:53 • "Weather with You" (live) – 4:35 • "Into Temptation" (live) – 4:48 • "Locked Out" (live) – 2:04 • 1996 UK CD2 • "Don't Dream It's Over" – 3:53 • "Four Seasons in One Day" (live) – 3:08 • "In My Command" (live) – 4:14 • "Pineapple Head" (live) – 3:40 ==Personnel==

• Neil Finn: lead vocals, guitars • Nick Seymour: bass guitar • Paul Hester: drums, backing vocals • Mitchell Froom: keyboards and organ • Tim Pierce: guitar • Jorge Bermudez: percussion • Noel Crombie, Jim Gilstrap, Andy Milton and Joe Satriani: backing vocals ==Charts==

Weekly charts Year-end charts ==Certifications==

The song has been recorded by other artists, including Paul Young, Sixpence None the Richer, and New Zealand artist Stan Walker—the latter producing a Māori version titled Moemoeā ("Dream"). Italian singer-songwriter Antonello Venditti performed an adaptation in Italian entitled "Alta marea" ("High Tide"). Paul Young version In 1991, British musician Paul Young covered "Don't Dream It's Over" on his first compilation album, From Time to Time – The Singles Collection (1991). Young's version, released by Columbia Records, was produced by Dan Hartman, and featured Paul Carrack singing the fourth chorus and performing the keyboard and synthesizers. Track listing • UK 7-inch and cassette single • "Don't Dream It's Over" (Neil Finn) – 3:56 • "I Need Somebody" (Paul Young) – 4:00 Personnel • Paul Young: lead vocals • Paul Carrack: co-lead & backing vocals, Hammond organ • Dan Hartman, Neil Hubbard & Neil Taylor: guitars • Pino Palladino: bass guitar • Steve Ferrone: drums • Danny Schogger: keyboards • Danny Cummings: percussion • George Chandler, Jimmy Chambers & Tony Jackson: backing vocals Charts Weekly charts Year-end charts Sixpence None the Richer version "Don't Dream It's Over" was the second radio single released in promotion of the album Divine Discontent by Sixpence None the Richer. The commercial single release features the B-side "Don't Pass Me By," which was recorded during the sessions for Divine Discontent. Their version was also included in the 2003 compilation album Smallville: The Talon Mix. Track listing • US CD single ==In popular culture==

"Don't Dream It's Over" was prominently featured in the 1994 miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's novel The Stand and in the Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story in which the song was also referenced in the episode of the same name. ==References==