"Dream On" is a song by English electronic music band Depeche Mode. It was released in the United States on 17 April 2001 and in the United Kingdom on 23 April 2001 as the first single from the band's tenth studio album, Exciter (2001). The song topped the charts of Denmark, Germany, Italy and Spain and reached the top 10 in Austria, Canada, Finland, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Wallonia. The song's music video was directed by Stéphane Sednaoui.

Critical reception

In a review for Billboard magazine, Eric Aiese said of "Dream On", "It's hard to remember the last time the group did anything so organic, and 'Dream On' proves to be surprisingly refreshing. The guitar line is a catchy head-bobber, and the minimal melody sounds like a winner". Another review from the same magazine called the track "rock-solid". The song is rated three out of five stars on AllMusic, with reviewer Ned Raggett comparing the composition to works by Timbaland and noting that Dave Gahan's lyrical delivery was "one of his best". Music & Media named it their "Pick of the Week" on their 7 April 2001 issue, with Ville Vilén of Radiomafia complimenting the "classic" songwriting with its "modern" sound. Kristian Bartos of Swedish radio station WOW! 105.5 said that although the song would take a second listen to appreciate fully, it would become a "long-lasting" single. Sandra Boussu, head of music at FM Limburg in Belgium, gave the song a positive review but doubted that "Dream On" would become a hit in Europe, citing Depeche Mode's stylistic changes. British trade paper Music Week compared the song to Björk's album Homogenic (1997), noting its "nagging acoustics" and "slithery dark beats".

Chart performance

In the band's native United Kingdom, "Dream On" debuted at its peak of number six on the week beginning 29 April 2001, topping the UK Indie Singles Chart the same week. It quickly fell down the UK Singles Chart after its debut, staying in the top 40 for only two weeks and the top 100 for nine weeks. In Ireland, it debuted on the Irish Singles Chart on 26 April, peaking at number 24 and spending two weeks on the chart. Across Europe, the single made chart-topping debuts in Denmark, Germany, Italy, and Spain, staying one week at the top in the first three countries and remaining at number one for three weeks in Spain. In Finland, Hungary, Portugal, and Sweden, the track reached the top five, while in Austria, Greece, Norway, and the Wallonia region of Belgium, it charted within the top 10. It additionally became a top-40 hit in Flanders, France, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it reached number five. Outside Europe, the song charted in the United States and Canada. In the latter country, it first appeared on the Canadian Singles Chart at number two, its peak, on the issue dated 19 May 2001. In the United States, "Dream On" reached number one on both the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales and Dance Music/Club Play Singles charts; on the former listing, the single became their second number-one hit, after "Policy of Truth" in 1990. On the Billboard Hot 100, it peaked at number 85 on 12 May, totalling 10 weeks in the top 100. It also peaked within the top 20 on the Adult Alternative Songs, Adult Top 40, and Modern Rock Tracks charts.

Track listing

UK and European CD single UK and European limited-edition CD single UK and European 12-inch single US and Canadian maxi-CD single US 2×12-inch single

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the UK CD single liner notes and the Exciter album booklet. Studios Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history