Dreams (The Game song) explained

Dreams
Cover:The Game - Dreams - CD cover.jpg
Type:single
Artist:the Game
Album:The Documentary
Recorded:2004
Length:4:46
Producer:Kanye West
Chronology:The Game
Prev Title:Hate It or Love It
Prev Year:2005
Next Title:Playa's Only
Next Year:2005

"Dreams" is a song by American rapper the Game, from his debut album, The Documentary. It was released as the fifth official single from the album in all territories except France, which saw "Higher" released there first. The song was produced by Kanye West and features a sample of "No Money Down" by soul music singer Jerry Butler. The song is dedicated to Yetunde Price (the elder half-sister of tennis stars Serena Williams and Venus Williams), who was shot dead on September 14, 2003; the Williams' also came from the Game's hometown of Compton, California. The lyrics cite the Dr. Dre album 2001 being released "in 2001", when it was actually released in 1999. The song was placed 5th on About.com's Best Hip-Hop Songs of 2005.

"Dreams" debuted at No. 97 and peaked at No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The single was also commercially successful in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 8 on the UK Singles Chart.

Music video

The music video was directed by Phillip Atwell and it features cameos by R&B singer and actress Mýa, Dr. Dre, veteran singer Jim Gilstrap and comedian Michael Colyar. It also features graffiti that memorializes the deceased artists and historical figures mentioned in the song.

Tributes

Remixes

A remix of the song was released on the Game's mixtape, You Know What It Is Vol. 3. It is a mix between "Dreams" and "A Dream", which is a track featuring the Notorious B.I.G. from Jay-Z's 2002 album . It combines a chopped and screwed version of B.I.G.'s a cappella verse on "A Dream" (which is Juicy's first verse) with the instrumental of "Dreams".

There is also another official remix of the song with Trey Songz in which Trey Songz sings the second verse.

An unreleased version of Dreams leaked onto the internet in October 2011. This version features similar lyrics to the final version with revised themes and content, with the Game reflecting on events in his own life as opposed to reflecting on the legacies left by rap legends. It leaked labeled as "Original Version".

Track listing

Maxi single

  1. "Dreams" (Album version)
  2. "Dreams" (Live from Dublin)
  3. "Dreams" (Instrumental)
  4. "Dreams" (Video)

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2005 - 06)Peak
position
Germany (Media Control AG)[1] 15
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[2] 11

Year-end charts

Chart (2005)Position
UK Singles (OCC)[3] 146
UK Urban (Music Week)[4] 37
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[5] 82

Notes and References

  1. Web site: charts.de . https://web.archive.org/web/20141021180155/http://www.officialcharts.de/song.asp?artist=The+Game&title=Dreams . dead . October 21, 2014 . charts.de . August 2, 2005 . March 9, 2011.
  2. Web site: Tipparade-lijst van week 39, 2005. dutch. Dutch Top 40. March 18, 2023.
  3. Web site: ChartsPlusYE2005. UKchartsplus.co.uk. Official Charts Company. March 27, 2021.
  4. 2005 Urban Top 40. Music Week. 22. January 14, 2006. August 5, 2023.
  5. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2005. Billboard. March 27, 2021.