Just a Dream (Nelly song)
"Just a Dream" | ||||
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Single by Nelly | ||||
from the album 5.0 | ||||
Released | August 16, 2010 | |||
Recorded | 2010 | |||
Studio |
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Genre | ||||
Length | 3:57 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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Nelly singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Just a Dream" on YouTube |
"Just a Dream" is a song by American rapper and singer Nelly, released as the lead single from his sixth album 5.0 in 2010. The song was written by Mitch J, Nelly, Rico Love, Jim Jonsin and Frank Romano with Jonsin and Love producing the song.[1] The song was released on August 16, 2010, to iTunes Stores around the world for digital download.[2] It was released alongside the promotional single, "Tippin' In da Club".[3] On October 6, 2010, the song was certified triple platinum by the RIAA.[4]
Composition
[edit]Nelly said, "I think that the way the whole song plays out, with the beat and the lyrics, I think it comes together in the sense of it's almost a timeless song."[5]
Many have speculated "Just a Dream" is actually about Nelly's relationship with Ashanti. He responds in an interview for "That Grape Juice", "No it's not about Ashanti. It's just a song that I and my man [Rico] came up with. It's a song that just relatable on all levels – rich, poor, black, white, child, adult – whatever level it is. If [thinking it’s about Ashanti] is what helps people to go out and support it then so be it (giggles)."[6]
The music is a sample of the track "Variations sur Marilou" by the French singer Serge Gainsbourg (1976). [citation needed]
Chart performance
[edit]"Just a Dream" made its first chart appearance, debuting on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number twelve and peaking at number three in its eighth week. The song also debuted at number 38 on Billboard's Mainstream Top 40 chart,[7] and debuted at number eight on the Billboard Digital Songs chart, selling 135,000 downloads in its first week.[8][9] "Just a Dream" is Nelly's highest-charting song since his 2005 single "Grillz". and debuted at number 22 on the Billboard Rap Songs chart. As of November 2013, the song has sold over 4 million copies in the United States.[10]
The song entered the Canadian Hot 100 in August 2010, at number 32.[11] It debuted in Australia (ARIA Charts) at number 24,[12] on the New Zealand Singles Chart at number 29, Switzerland (Media Control AG) at number 52 and the UK Singles Chart at number 8.
Live performances
[edit]Nelly performed "Just a Dream" during a free concert to help promote St. Louis' bid for the 2012 Democratic National Convention at Kiener Plaza on July 29, 2010.[13] He also performed the song during the 2010 MOBO Awards in Liverpool, United Kingdom on October 20, 2010. Nelly performed live for the November 13th Margarito/Pacquiao bout at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas. He also performed on Coke Studio on April 25, 2013, with Egyptian singer Sherine.
Accolades
[edit]Nelly won "Top Streaming Song" for "Just a Dream" at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards. At the 2011 MuchMusic Video Awards, Nelly was Nominated for "MuchMusic.com Most Watched Video" for "Just a Dream" but lost to Taio Cruz's "Dynamite". The song is also covered in the 2012 musical comedy Pitch Perfect by Anna Kendrick.
Music video
[edit]Nelly shot the music video to "Just a Dream" on August 26, 2010, at Playa del Rey, Los Angeles.[14][15][16] The director of the video is Sanji.[17] Nelly goes sky high in a dramatic black-and-white video, sitting in his car while floating high above the ocean. Nelly looks down on his girl—Kat Graham—as she runs along the shore. He later he comes down to ground to take a trip to the club. While searching for his love, he mistakes a girl walking on the street—actress Bianca Siavoshy—for his girlfriend. His dream home, a wedding ring, and his car, items that had been floating above the beach, burst into flames, their ashes falling to the shore below. There are several shots of one of Nelly's eyes shattering as if made of glass.
The car in the video is a custom-made Ford Mustang GT.
The house in the video is a dollhouse called The Emerson House, made by toymaker Brinca Dada.
It premiered on September 21, 2010.[18] Shannon Brown of the Los Angeles Lakers makes a cameo appearance.
Track listing
[edit]- Digital download[2]
- "Just a Dream" – 3:57
Credits and personnel
[edit]The credits for "Just a Dream" are adapted from 5.0 album liner notes.[1]
- Recording information
- Personnel
- Nelly – vocals, songwriter
- James Scheffer (Jim Jonsin) – producer, songwriter, keyboards
- Richard Butler, Jr. (Rico Love) – producer, songwriter
- Frank Romano – guitar, songwriter
- Robert Marks – recording engineer, audio mixer
- Ryan Evans – recording engineer
- Jason Wilkie – recording assistant, mixing assistant
- Matt Huber – recording assistant, mixing assistant
- Thurston McCrea – recording assistant, additional engineering
- Chad Jolley – mixing assistant
- Brandon Jones – additional engineering
Charts and certifications
[edit]Certifications
[edit]Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[66] | 4× Platinum | 280,000^ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[67] | Diamond | 250,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[68] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
Germany (BVMI)[69] | Gold | 150,000‡ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[70] | Platinum | 15,000* |
Sweden (GLF)[71] | Gold | 20,000‡ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[72] | Gold | 15,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[73] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[74] | 4× Platinum | 4,000,000[10] |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Radio and release history
[edit]Country | Date | Format |
---|---|---|
United States[75] | August 10, 2010 |
|
Japan[76] | August 16, 2010 | Digital download |
Switzerland[77] | ||
Canada[78] | August 17, 2010 | |
United States[79] | ||
Italy[80] | August 30, 2010 | CD single |
Brazil[81] | September 24, 2010 | Airplay |
United Kingdom[82] | October 15, 2010 | Digital download |
Germany[83] | November 12, 2010 | CD single |
References
[edit]- ^ a b 5.0 (booklet). Nelly. Universal Republic, Universal Motown (Universal Music). 2010.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b "Just a Dream - Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. 2010. Retrieved August 16, 2010.
- ^ "Tippin' In da Club - Single by Nelly". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved August 17, 2010.
- ^ RIAA - Gold & Platinum - December 22, 2010 Archived November 25, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Nelly Discusses "Just A Dream" Video And Working With Dr. Luke On '5.0'". September 1, 2010.
- ^ "That Grape Juice Interviews Nelly". September 10, 2010.
- ^ "Chart Highlights: Country, Dance/Club Play Songs & More ". Billboard.com. August 16, 2010.
- ^ Digital Songs | Billboard.com
- ^ Nelly's Just a Dream Makes Debut on Charts. Rap-Up. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- ^ a b Grein, Paul (November 27, 2013). "Chart Watch: Lorde Wins A Squeaker". Chart Watch. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
- ^ "Nelly Artist History". Billboard. Billboard charts. August 27, 2010. Retrieved May 26, 2010.
- ^ Hung, Steffen. "australian-charts.com - Nelly - Just A Dream". www.australian-charts.com.
- ^ "Adventoutpost.com". adventoutpost.com.
- ^ "Video: On Set of Nelly's 'Just a Dream'".
- ^ "Nelly On The Set Of "Just A Dream" Music Video & Single Makes Chart Debut!".
- ^ "Behind The Scenes: Nelly's 'Just A Dream' Video". August 27, 2010.
- ^ "Nelly Gears Up for '5.0' with Promo Photos".
- ^ "Video: Nelly – 'Just a Dream'".
- ^ "Nelly – Just a Dream". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ^ "Nelly – Just a Dream" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
- ^ "Nelly – Just a Dream" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2010-11-26.
- ^ "Nelly – Just a Dream" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2010-11-26.
- ^ "Nelly Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Nelly Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ "Nelly Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ "Nelly Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 44. týden 2010 in the date selector.
- ^ "Nelly – Just a Dream". Tracklisten.
- ^ "Nelly: Just a Dream" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
- ^ "Nelly – Just a Dream" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 2011-02-08.
- ^ "Nelly – Just a Dream" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Just a Dream". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
- ^ "Media Forest Week 06, 2011". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest.
- ^ "Nelly Chart History (Mexico Ingles Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Nelly" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
- ^ "Nelly – Just a Dream" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ^ "Nelly – Just a Dream". Top 40 Singles.
- ^ "Nelly – Just a Dream". VG-lista.
- ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 2011-12-05.
- ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay New. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201103 into search. Retrieved 2011-10-06.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ "Nelly – Just a Dream". Singles Top 100.
- ^ "Nelly – Just a Dream". Swiss Singles Chart.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Nelly Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Nelly Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Nelly Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
- ^ "Nelly Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Nelly Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Nelly Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard.
- ^ "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2010". ARIA. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
- ^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ "Årslista Singlar – År 2010" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
- ^ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2010". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
- ^ "Hot 100 Songs - Year-End 2010". Billboard.
- ^ "Pop Songs – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
- ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
- ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2011". austriancharts.at. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
- ^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2011". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2011". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
- ^ "Russian Top Year-End Radio Hits (2011)". Tophit. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- ^ "Best of 2011: Hot 100 Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2011. Retrieved December 9, 2011.
- ^ "Pop Songs – Year-End 2011". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
- ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2011". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2011 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
- ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Nelly – Just a Dream" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Nelly – Just a Dream". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Nelly; 'Just a Dream')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Nelly – Just a Dream". Recorded Music NZ.
- ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2011" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 24, 2015.
- ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Just a Dream')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
- ^ "British single certifications – Nelly – Just a Dream". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
- ^ "American single certifications – Nelly – Just a Dream". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ "Available For Airplay" Archived August 21, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. FMQB. Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
- ^ "Just a Dream - Single - Japan". Itunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved September 16, 2010.
- ^ "Just a Dream - Single - Switzerland". Itunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved September 16, 2010.
- ^ "Just a Dream - Single - Canada". Itunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved September 16, 2010.
- ^ "Just a Dream - Single - United States". Itunes. Apple Inc. January 2010. Retrieved August 17, 2010.
- ^ italiancharts.com - Nelly - Just A Dream
- ^ "Hit Parade - Jovem Pan FM". Archived from the original on December 26, 2009.
- ^ "Just A Dream: Nelly: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads". Amazon UK.
- ^ "Just a Dream". January 21, 2011 – via Amazon.