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Sweet Dreams (La Bouche song)
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Sweet Dreams
| cover = La_Bouche_Sweet_Dreams_Single_Cover.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = La Bouche
| album = Sweet Dreams
| released = *March 12, 1994
| recorded = January 1994
| studio =
| genre = *Eurodance
*hi-NRG
| length = 3:23 (Radio version)
4:50 (Club version)
| label = RCA
| writer =
| producer = Frank Farian
Ulli Brenner
Gerd Amir Saraf
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = Be My Lover
| next_year = 1995
| misc =
}}
"'Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)'" is a song recorded by German Eurodance duo La Bouche. It was originally released in March 1994 as the lead single from their debut album of the same name (1995). In North America, the song was released in November 1995. It was successful on the charts, reaching number-one in both Italy and on the Canadian 'RPM' Dance/Urban chart, and peaking at number 17 on the Eurochart Hot 100. In the United States, the song reached number 13, and in Australia, it peaked at number eight and was certified gold by ARIA.
In 2017, 'BuzzFeed' listed the song at number 53 in their list of "The 101 Greatest Dance Songs Of the '90s".
Composition
"Sweet Dreams" has a tempo of 134 beats per minute. It is written in the key of B minor and follows a chord progression of Bm7GA, and the vocals span from A3 to B4.
The song's bridge samples American funk band Ripple's 1973 hit "I Don't Know What It Is, but It Sure Is Funky".
Critical reception
American newspaper 'The Atlanta Journal-Constitution' described "Sweet Dreams" as a "high-energy hit"."WEEKEND AT HOME THE LATEST IN MUSIC, VIDEOS AND BOOKS Sugary to cerebral: Angelique, La Bouche rule dance floor". 'The Atlanta Journal-Constitution'. 2 July 1998. Matt Stopera and Brian Galindo from 'BuzzFeed' stated that "the "hola, hola, eh" makes this a multilingual smash!" 'Daily News of Los Angeles's reviewer called it "energetic"."POP BEAT, LA BOUCHE HITTING U.S.". 'Daily News of Los Angeles'. 7 June 1996. James Arena, writer of 'Stars of '90s Dance Pop: 29 Hitmakers Discuss Their Careers' said that the song and its follow-up, "Be My Lover" "are widely regarded today as indispensable classics of the decade." Pan-European magazine 'Music & Media' noted that "the added value of this throbbing piece of Euro dance is Melanie Thornton's massive vocals, which definitely set the track apart from most of her competition." Editor Maria Jimenez described it as "a high energy track with a pumped up familiar German techno sound and a little club hysteria", adding that it is "a prime candidate for crossing over."
Alan Jones from 'Music Week' declared it as "pulsating pop/hiNRG with some refreshing bursts of guitar" and "yet another Euro-invader that is sure to score here." On the 1996 UK re-release, he added that it is "throbbing, melodic Eurodance not too far removed from some of Snap!'s early work, it is hugely commercial. You have been warned." James Hamilton from the magazine's 'RM' Dance Update deemed it a "routine Snap/Culture Beat-type (and Eurythmics influenced) Euro hit". 'People Magazine' noted that it "underscore buoyant vocals with dark minor-key arrangements". A reviewer from 'Richmond Times-Dispatch' commented, "I am insanely jealous of the lead female vocal, Melanie Thornton. She has a wonderful, flexible voice.""LA BOUCHE". 'Richmond Times-Dispatch'. 15 March 1996.
Chart performance
"Sweet Dreams" went on becoming a major hit on several continents. In Europe, it went to number-one in Italy in July 1994, as well as on the European Dance Radio Chart. The song was also a top 10 hit in Austria, Germany, Spain and Switzerland. And a top 20 hit in Finland, Iceland and Ireland, and on the Eurochart Hot 100. In the UK, the single had two runs on the UK Singles Chart, in 1994 and 1996. Its best position was as number 44 on September 1, 1996. Outside Europe, "Sweet Dreams" reached number three in Israel, number five in Japan, number eight in Australia and number 13 on the US 'Billboard' Hot 100. But on the 'Billboard' Hot Dance Club Play chart, the song hit number three, while on the US 'Cash Box' Pop Singles chart, it reached number eight. It was awarded with a gold record in Australia, with a sale of 35,000 singles.
Airplay
"Sweet Dreams" entered the European airplay chart Border Breakers at 19 on June 25, 1994, due to crossover airplay in South-Europe. It peaked at number five on September 3, 1994.
Music video
Two different music videos were made for "Sweet Dreams", one for the European market and one for the US. The US version was directed by Zack Ove and was released at the beginning of the year, in 1996 . The European music video was directed by Nigel Simpkiss and features Thornton and McCray performing the song in a surrounding of candlelights, candelabrums, red curtains, a bonfire and several dancers. Soap bubbles appears in the air. Some scenes shows Thornton singing while lying in an iron bed with bedding in leopard and cow print. Other scenes sees her sitting in a golden chair. Throughout the video, McCray performs dancing with the other dancers. Towards the end, the duo performs in front of a fountain. It was released on August 22, 1994. The video was later published on YouTube in June 2016. It has amassed more than 5,1 million views as of September 2021.
Track listings
* '12"'
# "Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" (Club Mix) 4:55
# "Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" (House Mix) 6:38
# "Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" (Oriental Mix) 5:17
# "Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" (Hola Mix) 5:10
* 'CD single'
# "Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" (Radio Version) 3:23
# "Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" (House Mix) 6:38
* 'CD maxi'
# "Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" (Radio Version) 3:23
# "Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" (Club Mix) 4:55
# "Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" (House Mix) 6:38
# "Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" (Oriental Mix) 5:17
# "Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" (Hola Mix) 5:10
* 'CD maxi - Remixes'
# "Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" (Airplay Edit) 3:58
# "Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" (Loveland UK Mix) 7:00
# "Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" (Italian No.1 Mix) 5:09
# "Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" (French 'hit des clubs' Mix) 5:35
# "Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" (House Mix) 6:38
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
Original release (1994)Re-release (1996)
Year-end charts
Certifications
References
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