"Dream Weaver" is a song by the American singer Gary Wright, released as the first single from his third studio album The Dream Weaver in December 1975.
| "Dream Weaver" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Side A of the US single | ||||
| Single by Gary Wright | ||||
| from the album The Dream Weaver | ||||
| B-side | "Let It Out" | |||
| Released | December 1975 | |||
| Recorded | 1975 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:17 (album version) 3:15 (single version) | |||
| Label | Warner Bros. | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Gary Wright | |||
| Producer(s) | Gary Wright | |||
| Gary Wright singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Origins and instrumentation
editThe track features Wright on vocals and keyboards and Jim Keltner on drums. According to Wright, the song was inspired by Autobiography of a Yogi, which was given to him by George Harrison.[3] Paramahansa Yogananda's poem "God! God! God!" made reference to "the idea of the mind weaving dreams". The expression "Dream Weaver" was popularized by John Lennon in 1970 in his song "God", taken from his solo album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. This song depicts Lennon's declaration that he was the dream weaver of the 1960s, breaking away from the influences and dogmas that influenced his life.
All instrumentation was created using keyboards except for Keltner's percussion. Gary Wright re-recorded "Dream Weaver" twice, first in 1986 (spelled "Dreamweaver" this time) for the Fire and Ice movie soundtrack, then a longer version for the Wayne's World movie soundtrack in 1992.
Personnel
edit- Gary Wright - lead vocals, ARP Solina String Ensemble, Minimoogs, drum machine
- David Foster - Fender Rhodes electric piano
- Jim Keltner - drums
Instrumental credits taken from Mixonline.[4]
Chart performance
editIn 1976, the song became a hit in the US; it peaked at #2 on the Billboard chart.[5] It was kept from #1 by both "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)" by The Four Seasons and "Disco Lady" by Johnnie Taylor.[6] "Dream Weaver" did get to #1 on Cashbox.[7]
Weekly singles chartsedit
|
Year-end chartsedit
|
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[18] | Gold | 1,000,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
In popular culture
editThe song has been heard in many films and television programs. According to Wes Craven, the song (and its keyboard intro/outro) inspired the concept behind the 1984 film A Nightmare on Elm Street.[19] Wright re-recorded the song for the soundtrack of the 1992 film Wayne's World.[20] He performed the song on an episode of The Midnight Special. It was also used in the 2010 animated film Toy Story 3, where Barbie meets Ken at the sunnyside daycare.
The song currently serves as the entrance music for New York Yankees closer Luke Weaver.[21]
Slipknot also used the song as the intro to their 'Here Comes the Pain' world tour shows in 2024 which were to mark 25 years since the release of their debut album.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Explore: Soft Rock | Top Songs | AllMusic". AllMusic. November 12, 2011. Archived from the original on November 12, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
- ^ Breithaupt, Don; Breithaupt, Jeff (2000), Night Moves: Pop Music in the Late '70s, St. Martin's Press, p. 67, ISBN 978-0-312-19821-3
- ^ "The Dreamweaver". Archived from the original on August 25, 2010. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
- ^ "Classic Tracks: Gary Wright's "Dream Weaver"". December 2009.
- ^ Gary Wright Biography – Billboard.com
- ^ Hot 100: Week of March 27, 1976 billboard.com
- ^ "Cash Box Top Singles - 1976". Archived from the original on January 18, 2008. Retrieved February 18, 2008.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 343. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Top Singles – Volume 25, No. 01 April 03, 1976". RPM. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
- ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. April 17, 1976. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
- ^ "Gary Wright – Dream Weaver". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
- ^ "Gary Wright Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
- ^ "Gary Wright Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
- ^ "Top 100 1976-03-27". Cashbox Magazine. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
- ^ "Top Singles – Volume 26, No. 14 & 15, January 08, 1977". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Archived from the original on March 19, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
- ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1976/Top 100 Songs of 1976". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
- ^ "Top 100 Year End Charts: 1976". Cashbox Magazine. Archived from the original on August 25, 2012. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
- ^ "American single certifications – Gary Wright – Dream Weaver". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
- ^ Craven, Wes. "DVD audio commentary". A Nightmare on Elm Street.
- ^ "The Five Most Culturally Significant Wayne's World Songs". LA Weekly. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
- ^ https://x.com/GaryHPhillips/status/1793454969065976158
