"Dream Lover" is a song written by American musician Bobby Darin. Darin recorded his composition on March 5, 1959 and released it as a single the following month. It was produced by Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler and engineered by Tom Dowd.

Song background

In addition to Darin's vocal, the song features Neil Sedaka on piano. While recording it Darin decided to stretch out some chord changes he found on the piano and add strings and voices. A picture sleeve, featuring a portrait of Darin, was also issued for this record in the U.S.

Chart performance

It was released as a single on Atco Records in the U.S. in 1959, and became a multi-million seller, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 for a week, No. 4 on Billboard's Hot R&B Sides chart, and No. 5 in Canada. "Dream Lover" was kept from the No. 1 spot by "The Battle of New Orleans" by Johnny Horton. It did however reach No. 1 on the UK's New Musical Express chart for four weeks during July 1959. The song also reached No. 5 on Norway's VG-lista, No. 12 in Flanders, and No. 21 in Wallonia.

Certifications

Cover versions

In 1961, Dion DiMucci released his version of "Dream Lover" on the album Runaround Sue. Thirty years later (1991) he recorded a new version for the Hot Shots! soundtrack. In 1964, The Paris Sisters released a version of "Dream Lover". In 1971, Billy "Crash" Craddock released his version of "Dream Lover" as a single. Craddock's version reached No. 1 on Cash Boxs Country Top 65 chart and Record Worlds Country Singles Chart, while reaching No. 5 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart. Craddock's version was included on his 1972 album You Better Move On. In 1979, Ricky Nelson released a cover of "Dream Lover". His version reached No. 29 on Billboards Adult Contemporary chart and No. 59 on Billboards Hot Country Singles chart. He sang the song on his appearance on Saturday Night Live. Also, in 1979, Australian Glen Shorrock of Little River Band covered it. It was in the Australian Top 10 for 18 weeks, in 1979. See here Country music singers Tanya Tucker and Glen Campbell released a duet of "Dream Lover" as a single on Tucker's 1980 album Dreamlovers. In 2022, the actress and singer Evan Rachel Wood released her version with her band EVAN + ZANE included on their album "Dream".