The Weight of Dreams

"The Weight of Dreams"
Song by Greta Van Fleet
from the album The Battle at Garden's Gate
Written	2019
Released	April 16, 2021
Recorded	2021
Genre	Blues rock
Length	8:51
Songwriter(s)	Jake Kiszka Josh Kiszka Sam Kiszka Danny Wagner
Lyricist(s)	Josh Kiszka

"The Weight of Dreams" is a song by American rock band Greta Van Fleet. It was released on their second album The Battle at Garden's Gate in 2021. While not originally released as a single, the song peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot Hard Rock Songs chart and was named by TotalGuitar as containing the greatest guitar solo of the 21st century.[1][2]

Background

The song was written and recorded during The Battle at Garden's Gates sessions in 2019. The song was released as the last song on the band's second studio album.[3] Despite not being released as a single, the song reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot Hard Rock Songs chart.[4]

Composition

"The Weight of Dreams" is in a 4/4 time signature and the key of A minor.[5] At eight minutes and fifty-one seconds, the song is the longest Greta Van Fleet song as of Starcatcher.[6] Towards the end of the song, guitarist Jake Kiska performs a guitar solo that has been renowned as one of the best of the 21st century and on the album.[7]

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Album Review Database	90/100
Best Ever Albums	75/100

In 2023, the song was named by TotalGuitar as containing the best Guitar solo of the 21st century.[1][2][7][8]

Personnel

Greta Van Fleet

• Joshua Kiszka – vocals, background vocals
• Jacob Kiszka – guitar, backing vocals
• Samuel Kiszka – bass, keyboards, background vocals
• Daniel Wagner – drums, background vocals

Additional musicians

• Jacob Braun – cello
• Alma Fernandez – viola
• Charlie Bisharat – violin
• Songa Lee – violin

Technical

• Greg Kurstin – production, engineering
• Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing
• Julian Burg – engineering
• Alex Pasco – engineering
• Matt Wolach – mixing assistance
• Matt Tuggle – recording assistance
• Peter Luretig – recording assistance
• Brian Rajaratnam – recording assistance

Charts

Chart performance for "The Weight of Dreams"

Chart (2021)	Peak position
US Hot Hard Rock Songs (Billboard)[4]	25

References

1. Rogers, Jenna ScaramangaContributions from Ellie; published, Amit Sharma (2023-07-17). "The greatest guitar solos of the 21st century... so far". guitarworld. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
2. "Total Guitar: 50 greatest guitar solos of 21st century". Steve Hoffman Music Forums. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
3. "The Battle at Garden's Gate by Greta Van Fleet". Genius. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
4. "Greta Van Fleet Chart History (Hot Hard Rock Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
5. London, Amanda (2021-04-22). ""The Weight of Dreams" by Greta Van Fleet". Song Meanings and Facts. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
6. Writer, Madelyn Muschek, Staff (2021-04-19). "Beacon Beats: Greta Van Fleet's 'The Battle at Garden's Gate'". The Daily Beacon. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
7. News |, A. B. C. (2023-06-08). "Greta Van Fleet's Jake Kiszka reacts to "The Weight of Dreams" being named best guitar solo of 21st century". 105.7 The Point. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
8. "The Greatest Guitar Songs of the 21st Century". Joe Bonamassa. Retrieved 2023-09-11.