| Dream Weaver | |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Gary Wright |
| Album: | The Dream Weaver |
| B-Side: | Let It Out |
| Released: | December 1975 |
| Recorded: | 1975 |
| Length: | 4:17 (album version) 3:15 (single version) |
| Label: | Warner Bros. |
| Producer: | Gary Wright |
| Next Title: | Love Is Alive |
| Next Year: | 1976 |
"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.
The 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.[1] 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.
Instrumental credits taken from Mixonline.[2]
In 1976, the song became a hit in the US; it peaked at #2 on the Billboard chart.[3] It was kept from #1 by both "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)" by The Four Seasons and "Disco Lady" by Johnnie Taylor.[4] "Dream Weaver" did get to #1 on Cashbox.[5]
| Chart (1975–1976) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] | 24 | |
| Canada (RPM) Top Singles[7] | 1 | |
| Canada (RPM) Adult Contemporary[8] | 1 | |
| US Cash Box Top 100[9] | 1 |
| Chart (1976) | Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Canada[10] | 24 | |
| US Billboard Hot 100[11] | 37 | |
| US Cash Box[12] | 17 |
The 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.[13] Wright re-recorded the song for the soundtrack of the 1992 film Wayne's World.[14] 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.[15]
