Dreams Don't Turn to Dust

"Dreams Don't Turn to Dust"
Promotional single by Owl City
from the album All Things Bright and Beautiful
ReleasedOctober 10, 2011
StudioSky Harbor Studios
Genre
Length3:44
LabelUniversal Republic
Songwriter(s)Adam Young
Producer(s)Young

"Dreams Don't Turn to Dust" is a song by American electronica project Owl City. The song was released on October 10, 2011 as the second promotional single from his third studio album, All Things Bright and Beautiful via Universal Republic.[3] It was released exclusively in the United Kingdom.

Background and release

On April 6, 2011, Young released previews of four tracks from the album including "Dreams Don't Turn to Dust".[4] In an interview with Sugarscape, Young confirmed that the song would be the next single from the album released on October 10, 2011. Speaking about how the song came together, he stated, "Outside of music I've always dreamed of being an underwater welder - like a commercial scuba diver who dives down and welds rivets under water."[3]

Composition

"Dreams Don't Turn to Dust" was written and produced by Adam Young. The track runs at 90 BPM and is in the key of G-sharp major.[5] Young's range in the song spans from the notes B♭3 – B♭5.[6] The song incorporates synth-pop with influences of hip-hop. Young stated he was inspired by the American hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest.[2] He stated, "I wanted to use a hip-hop influence that no one would expect. I was listening to a lot of Tribe and I love that sort of walking speed of their beats. I knew I wanted to try and pull from that."[2] During the song's breakdown, the track features a similar sound to Owl City's hit song, "Fireflies".[1]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AltSounds(70%)[1]

AltSounds gave a positive review describing the track as a "feel-good electropop song." They compared the song to Coldplay's "Paradise" for its "easily digestible, crescendo sense." They ended off stating, "an outsider might notice a twinkle in the listeners eye, perhaps even a spring in ones step."[1]

Live performances

"Dreams Don't Turn to Dust" was performed live regularly during the All Things Bright and Beautiful Tour and was featured in Owl City's live album Owl City: Live From Los Angeles.[7]

Personnel

Owl City

  • Adam Young – vocals, lyricist, mixing, recording engineer, producer

Additional musicians and production

  • Laura Musten – violin
  • Daniel Jorgensen – vibraphone
  • Steve Bursky – executive producer

Charts

Chart performance for "Dreams Don't Turn to Dust"
Chart (2011) Peak
position
US Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[8] 26

Release history

Release dates for "Dreams Don't Turn to Dust"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
United Kingdom October 10, 2011 CD single Universal Republic [3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Owl City - Dreams Don't Turn To Dust [Single]". AltSounds. October 11, 2011. Archived from the original on February 7, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Kevin O'Donnell (March 3, 2011). "Owl City's Adam Young: New Album, Track By Track". Spin. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "We talk to Owl City's Adam Young about dreams, crabs and Taylor Swift". Sugarscape. Archived from the original on March 28, 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  4. ^ "Owl City Pushes Back New Album". Christian Rock Rocks. April 7, 2011. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  5. ^ "Key and BPM of Dreams Don't Turn to Dust by Owl City". Musicstax.com. January 1, 2011. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  6. ^ "Owl City "Dreams Don't Turn to Dust" Sheet Music". musicnotes.com. 19 December 2011. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  7. ^ Scott Fryberger (February 10, 2012). "Owl City – Live From Los Angeles DVD". Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  8. ^ "Owl City — Chart History: Dance/Electronic Digital Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 21, 2019. Retrieved May 24, 2023.