Big City Dreams Explained

Big City Dreams
Type:single
Artist:Never Shout Never
Ep:The Yippee
Released:July 18, 2008
Length:3:13
Label:Loveway Records
Producer:Drew
Next Title:Trouble
Next Year:2008

"Big City Dreams" is a song by American indie rock band, Never Shout Never. The song was released on July 18, 2008 as the debut and lead single from their second EP, The Yippee EP.[1] It peaked at number one on the Billboard US Hot Singles Sales chart.[2]

Background and composition

"Big City Dreams" was written and produced by Christofer Drew. The track runs at 68 BPM and is in the key of C major.[3] The song has been described as a folk-pop song by MTV.[4] It has also been described as Never Shout Never's "big break" into the music industry.[5] Drew performed the song live on MTV TRL on July 30, 2008.[6]

Critical reception

James Shotwell of Under the Gun Review gave a positive review for the track stating, "A beautiful piano line mixed with tambourine and guitar sinks under your skin while he vocals take you away to a warm summer day in a field with the one you love. The song is gorgeous, simple, and sure to become the song many teens share with their 'secret' crushes."[7] Andy Gesner of Hip Video Promo noted, "its just the sort of bracing and emotionally-forthright pop that connects with young listeners. Its narrative, too, is an easy one to identify with."[8]

Music video

The music video for "Big City Dreams" was released in December 2008 and was directed by Isaac Ravishankara.[9] The video was shot in Red Hook, Brooklyn.[10] The video features actress Laura Gilreath as Drew's love interest.[11] The music video begins with Drew in his living room sitting with his girlfriend before she leaves the Midwest. As she walks through the streets of the town she's abandoning, a ball of yellow yarn attached to her ankle begins to unravel. Drew grabs hold of the loose end and walks the same roads as she does, spooling it up in his arms. Finally, he catches up to her in an industrial section of town as she has already taken to the air. Resigned to his fate, the singer lets go of the kite string and watches her sail away.[8]

Charts

Chart (2009)! scope="col"
Peak
position
US Hot Singles Sales (Billboard)1

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Never Shout Never - Crazed Hits. Crazed Hits. July 18, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20101229005557/http://www.crazedhits.com/never-shout-never/. December 29, 2010. December 2, 2023.
  2. Web site: Hot Singles Sales - Big City Dreams. https://web.archive.org/web/20090129170005/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=353&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Hot+Singles+Sales&ci=3105523&cdi=10111738&cid=01/17/2009. January 29, 2009. January 17, 2009. Billboard. December 22, 2021.
  3. Web site: Key and BPM of Big City Dreams - Never Shout Never. Musicstax.com. July 3, 2009. October 27, 2022.
  4. Web site: Buzzworthy Obsession: Never Shout Never. https://web.archive.org/web/20180917134151/http://www.mtv.com/news/2293515/buzzworthy-obsession-nevershoutnever/. dead. September 17, 2018. MTV. March 19, 2009. May 5, 2022.
  5. Web site: BB-2009-03-21. 32. March 21, 2009. May 5, 2022.
  6. Web site: Big City Dreams (Live) | Never Shout Never | Music Video. MTV. July 31, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20140318091802/http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/262521/big-city-dreams-live.jhtml. March 18, 2014. May 5, 2022.
  7. Web site: Unsigned Spotlight – Never Shout Never – The Yippee EP. Under the Gun Review. James Shotwell. July 26, 2008. December 2, 2023.
  8. Web site: Nevershoutnever! 'Bigcitydreams'. Hip Video Promo. Andy Gesner. December 13, 2008. December 2, 2023.
  9. Web site: Big City Dreams (2008) by Never Shout Never. IMVDb. May 5, 2022.
  10. Web site: Nevershoutnever To Release Self Titled Debut This May. Melodic. Kaj Roth. January 29, 2009. July 2, 2023.
  11. Web site: NeverShoutNever! Making the "Big City Dreams" Video. Veoh. Our Stage. December 13, 2023.