Throwback Thursday: Gabrielle – “Dreams”
This week’s TBT selection is for all the dreamers out there.
In the early ’90s, a woman named Louise Gabrielle Bobb was a struggling singer who performed regularly at a London nightclub. One night, after performing Luther Vandross covers, one of the club’s patrons said, “This is as good as it’s going to get for you.” Devastated but still full of hope, she opened her diary and wrote the first lines of what would end up becoming her debut single, “Dreams.”
After meeting producer Tim Laws during a recording session, he was so impressed with Ms. Bobb’s voice that he invited her back to record. She would go on to record the lyrics of “Dreams” over his a track he produced — he would end up being credited as a co-songwriter. If the song reminds you of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car,” that’s no coincidence. The original version of the song actually samples the folk classic, but it was never cleared because Ms. Tracy don’t play dat.]
That original version, which had a decidedly thumpier beat, was so popular at the clubs that it landed Ms. Bobb — now known as just Gabrielle — a record deal. With the help of producer Richie Fermie, a new version of the song — sans Chapman sample — was made. When “Dreams” got its official release, it was an instant hit, debuting at No. 2 on the UK charts, which was a record for a debut single at the time. It would later rise to No. 1, staying there for three weeks.
Gabrielle’s dream was finally fulfilled, and while she was at it, she gave every dreamer a poignant yet upbeat reminder that we aren’t dreaming in vain. If you ever doubted that profound lyrics can be embedded in a catchy production, here is yet another example to the contrary.
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