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Aerosmith — Dream On
Album: Aerosmith
Avg rating:
7.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1889









Released: 1973
Length: 4:22
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Every time that I look in the mirror
All these lines in my face gettin' clearer
The past is gone
It went by like dusk to dawn
Isn't that the way
Everybody's got their dues in life to pay

Yeah, I know nobody knows
Where it comes and where it goes
I know it's everybody's sin
You got to lose to know how to win

Half my life's in books' written pages
Live and learn from fools and from sages
You know it's true
All the things
Come back to you

Sing with me
Sing for the year
Sing for the laughter and sing for the tear
Sing it with me
If it's just for today
Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away

Well, sing with me
Sing for the year
Sing for the laughter and sing for the tear
Sing it with me
If it's just for today
Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away

Dream on, dream on, dream on
Dream yourself a dream come true

Dream on, dream on, dream on
Dream until your dream comes through

Dream on, dream on, dream on, dream on
Dream on, dream on, dream on, ahh

Sing with me
Sing for the year
Sing for the laughter and sing for the tear
Sing it with me
If it's just for today
Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away

Sing with me
Sing for the year
Sing for the laughter and sing for the tear
Sing it with me
If it's just for today
Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away
Comments (117)add comment
I remember being of 11 years of age when my father drove past Holman Stadium in Nashua NH when I heard this new band, Aerosmith blasting out this song. Who would know just how popular and influential they would become. That little band from Sunapee became the "bad boys from Boston".
 Cynaera wrote:

Okay - someone somewhere has to have a YouTube clip where Aerosmith performed this song with an orchestra, and it was absolutely amazing. (I read an article in which Tyler said, "We were scared shitless - an ORCHESTRA?")  The gist of the interview was about cues and working with a huge group of people that were like a school of fish - they acted on the direction of one person, and if that person missed a cue, the band would have to scramble to cover the lapse. Fortunately, everyone was focused, and there were no mistakes, and a few incredible, shiver-causing moments during that collaboration.  I'd love to see it/hear it - it was definitely "shiver-making."



There's a live version on the  Last Action Hero soundtrack that's really good. 
This song gives me a big ten inch!
I grew up in Saskatchewan, Canada in the 1970s. Everybody's house had a basement, and pretty well every basement had a "rumpus room" or rec room. This song takes me back to my friend Darren's basement rumpus room, hanging out and listening to Aerosmith, Sweet, and Kiss, of course. 
Somewhere deep in my subconscious, some trauma is hidden behind this song. Whenever I hear it, a huge wave of melancholic sadness befalls me... and have no idea why. => hang in there, brother or sister! In the future there will either be knowledge or acceptance...or more likely, both.
Coming up to 50 years since this was released... oh my god
I remember how I so related to this song when I was 18..."all these lines on my face getting clearer".  50 years later, I actually can relate.
Somewhere deep in my subconscious, some trauma is hidden behind this song.

Whenever I hear it, a huge wave of melancholic sadness befalls me... and have no idea why.
 LaurieinTucson wrote:

this has never sounded like Steve Tyler to me
is it him? or is someone else singing this?


I always thought the same thing. Here's this:

"Dream On" was written by Steven Tyler, and it took him about six years to complete. He started writing it even before Aerosmith was formed, and completed it before the band released their debut album. As reported by I Love Classic Rock, Tyler's inspiration for the song's chords was the time when he was a young boy listening to his father — a Julliard-trained musician — play the piano. "It's about the hunger to be somebody. Dream until your dreams come true," he once said about the song. Admittedly, he said he knew nothing about writing songs when he was working on "Dream On" during his teenage years.

Aerosmith fans noticed that Tyler's voice sounds different in "Dream On" than in other Aerosmith songs, and there are also those who don't even recognize the voice as Tyler's. In the Aerosmith biography titled "Walk This Way," he revealed that he used to be insecure about the sound of his voice, and because of that, he changed how he sang in the first few albums Aerosmith released. A producer also gave him the advice to sing differently during the recording of the band's first album. In fact, "Dream On" is the only song wherein Tyler used his "real" voice,
he revealed, according to Society of Rock, which is why he sounds so different in it compared to other Aerosmith hits. Eventually, Tyler learned to embrace his vocals and found a signature style that sets him apart from other rockstars. In 2018, "Dream On" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, which honors records that have historical significance.

Read More: https://www.grunge.com/998147/...
 idiot_wind wrote:

Ya know, their first three albums were exceptional. 

At that time, they were being  called the "American Rolling Stones".   




And not just for the size of the singer's mouth.
RP!!
Ya know, their first three albums were exceptional. 

At that time, they were being  called the "American Rolling Stones".   
OK, I'm instantly 11 again!!
Solid 10 ✌️
 firefly6 wrote:

Steve Tyler's dad was my high school music teacher.
Mr. Tallerico also played piano accompaniment for the school singers. I was in the school band at the time, and for holiday concerts and such, I guess you could say we shared the bill...



A childhood friend of mine took piano lessons from Mr. Tallerico long ago, in Yonkers.  I believe Steven Tyler and a few of his bandmates went to Roosevelt H.S.
Vastly over-played on the radio anywhere.
Hilarious when Tyler starts to scream. It's bound to annoy cats within ear-shot.
I don't do classic rock radio, so I rarely hear this gem. But every time I do hear this song it instantly brings up the memory of my buddy Mike letting the smoke out of his Kenwood speakers at Colorado State University - circa 1975. Rock on Aerosmith!
Man, 1973 was a while back. 
Joe Perry was SO good.

 Stetsonman wrote:

sucks




Some people here LIKE it! Hit the SKIP BUTTON, Skippy! And shut up!
 firefly6 wrote:

Steve Tyler's dad was my high school music teacher.
Mr. Tallerico also played piano accompaniment for the school singers. I was in the school band at the time, and for holiday concerts and such, I guess you could say we shared the bill...




Totally cool!!!
Steve Tyler's dad was my high school music teacher.
Mr. Tallerico also played piano accompaniment for the school singers. I was in the school band at the time, and for holiday concerts and such, I guess you could say we shared the bill...
 lizardking wrote:

Judy Garland to Aerosmith...dreams are the commonality, although some Kansas could fit in nicely too.
LLRP!!



Just did it again!!
sucks
Judy Garland to Aerosmith...dreams are the commonality, although some Kansas could fit in nicely too.
LLRP!!
Wow -- haven't heard this on RP before. Brings back fond memories of high school parties.  :)
this will never die.
For sure...maybe John Waite LaurieinTucson wrote:
this has never sounded like Steve Tyler to me
is it him? or is someone else singing this?
 

 LaurieinTucson wrote:
this has never sounded like Steve Tyler to me
is it him? or is someone else singing this?
 
It's his half-brother, Larry.
Steve was busy ironing his scarves.
 LaurieinTucson wrote:
this has never sounded like Steve Tyler to me
is it him? or is someone else singing this?
 

I agree, it doesn't sound much like him. BUT it IS him singing, and he even wrote the song.

My memory of it was when I saw the great Rodney Mullen skateboarding to it, and when I find out it was Aerosmith, I was very surprised!

LLRP, play some more from this album I wouldn't mind at all :-D
A classic. Saying "classic" about a song makes me want to slap someone. But there 'ya go... a classic. It makes high school seem significant.
Takes me back to junior high dances...
Still be cool in another 50 years.
this has never sounded like Steve Tyler to me
is it him? or is someone else singing this?
 GeorgeMWoods wrote:
Horribly dated. 
 

Maybe, but I think it sparkles again when taken out of the "classic rock" format and put into the RP setting.
In my mind this is the best Aerosmith album, with Toys a close second!
Truly “classic” rock!
Don't mind the odd classic rock tune now and then here on RP.

But this one just don't do it for me. To each his own.
 underarmor wrote:
Hmmm, my album cover is different.  I burned out on this song a long time ago, but I still break out the album to listen to some absolute stud songs on it besides this one.  Make It, Somebody, Walking The Dog, etc.

Bill, lots of deep tracks on this thing you could bring back to life. 
 
Totally agree - of all places RP could invest in going deeper with this classic album
Hey! That transition from previous song was great!  Nice job as always!
Oh, God no. My FM nemesis, like this one of the only 3 songs Aerosmith ever cut. C ya. 
Pleasantly surprised to hear this here. Somehow RP playing this feels like a recognition that it is okay to like this and that this overplayed classic rock power ballad  is "good taste" after all. Whatever that may be. Not that I need that recognition at 59, but still..
A million thanks!!!
delightful classic
Horribly dated. 
ESPN used this song for their video montage of 100 years of sports as 1999 turned to 2000. It was a brilliant piece of editing and I still get chills remembering it when I hear this.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlmxHvOWKB0
 eveliko wrote:
Always dreamt to hear Freddie Mercury sing this song.

 

Sounds like a worthy AI project...
 Proclivities wrote:

This played-by-every-classic-rock-station-three-times-a-day song couldn't melt the face off of an ice cream cake in a Florida greenhouse.

 
Maybe you need to stop listening to classic rock stations.

I was glad to hear this classic, which still sounds great today.  Thanks, Bill! 
Cosmic man
I could think of several other deep cuts from this band that would be enjoyable, too.
If Steven Tyler felt this way back in '73, I wonder how he feels now?
Always dreamt to hear Freddie Mercury sing this song.
9.9999999
 maxjboxer wrote:
Thanks to RP, it's been so long since I've had to listen to bad radio that I forgot how good this song is. I actually enjoyed the song again.

 
I hear this.
RP needs a " This is a good song but I am sick of it button. And a you are starting to play this song too much button. I hope to never hear this song again. It could be why I thought I hated Aerosmith all those years, until Honkin on Bobo came out. 
Thanks to RP, it's been so long since I've had to listen to bad radio that I forgot how good this song is. I actually enjoyed the song again.
 k3rmit wrote:
Finally RP wakes me up at work instead of lulling me to sleep!

 
Amen. This song is wayyyyy overplayed, but a classic.  How about playing something off "Rocks"?  That would totally freak out many of the listeners here!
Finally RP wakes me up at work instead of lulling me to sleep!
Funny, my 18 year old kid was wearing an Aerosmith T, the other day, and I remember (sort of) what I was doing when this came out, at around the same age.


 bstevens1951 wrote:
It's true, this was a landmark song when it launched 44 years ago. No, I don't need to ever hear it again. It's presence on Classic Rock radio would seem to negate the need to preserve it on RP for archival reasons. Having said that, I didn't mind listening to it this once, knowing it wouldn't be followed by Foreigner or Styx.
 
{#Roflol}  Styx, ack; just hearing the name makes me cringe.  ; )
It's true, this was a landmark song when it launched 44 years ago. No, I don't need to ever hear it again. It's presence on Classic Rock radio would seem to negate the need to preserve it on RP for archival reasons. Having said that, I didn't mind listening to it this once, knowing it wouldn't be followed by Foreigner or Styx.
how bout some deep tracks from their best years: Sick as a Dog, Uncle Salty, Seasons of Wither.. {#Mrgreen}
First time  hearing it here. Insta-ten!
Is this Steven singing? If this is he, he sounds weird, weak?
I just PSD'ed and landed in 1973.  

Gotta' go...late for freshman gym class...
 dreadpixie wrote:

classic rock drivel?  i think we can make exceptions for the amazingly awesome pieces of classical rock, that melts your face off!

 
I guess you must be pretty young or something.  This played-by-every-classic-rock-station-three-times-a-day song couldn't melt the face off of an ice cream cake in a Florida greenhouse.
 Hannio wrote:
You gotta be kidding.
 

LOL

Fun, and good 
Saw these guys in Tampa a few years back. They still rock as good as ever.
I had tears in my eyes when they did this. 10 for sure
 Proclivities wrote:

Toys In The Attic did have some good tunes on it, but I could go forever without hearing this one again. 

 

That was a great album, agree on this tune though. Oh and Aerosmith has sucked out loud since the 80s.

 yodasan_magoo wrote:
Second best song to come out of 70s...
 
Please to name the first ? {#Ask}
 BKardon wrote:
Always liked this song, wouldn't mind hearing something off of Rocks or Toys in the Attic on here.
 
Toys In The Attic did have some good tunes on it, but I could go forever without hearing this one again. 

Always liked this song, wouldn't mind hearing something off of Rocks or Toys in the Attic on here.
Love this song for so many years; never get tired of it!
I've been meaning to buy an mp3 of this song, so hearing it here was a good reminder to link through to Amazon and pick it up.  Interestingly, "Dream On" is $1.29 while all the other songs on this album are 99 cents.  Guess I'm not the only one who still likes it {#Lol}
 LPCity wrote:
Although I like a lot of Aerosmith's early stuff, I never liked Dream On.  Just too funeral dirge like.
 
Where's the "like" button for your post?


Just when I think I'm done being surprised by this station! {#Eek}

Stunningly surprising segue from Kate Bush. Who would have thought?
Make it stop.....Pleeeeezzzzzzz {#Stop} Okay, I am going to cry now.

 Cynaera wrote:
Okay - someone somewhere has to have a YouTube clip where Aerosmith performed this song with an orchestra, and it was absolutely amazing. (I read an article in which Tyler said, "We were scared shitless - an ORCHESTRA?")  The gist of the interview was about cues and working with a huge group of people that were like a school of fish - they acted on the direction of one person, and if that person missed a cue, the band would have to scramble to cover the lapse. Fortunately, everyone was focused, and there were no mistakes, and a few incredible, shiver-causing moments during that collaboration.  I'd love to see it/hear it - it was definitely "shiver-making."
 
Is this the clip you meant?



 Cynaera wrote:
Okay - someone somewhere has to have a YouTube clip where Aerosmith performed this song with an orchestra, and it was absolutely amazing. (I read an article in which Tyler said, "We were scared shitless - an ORCHESTRA?")  The gist of the interview was about cues and working with a huge group of people that were like a school of fish - they acted on the direction of one person, and if that person missed a cue, the band would have to scramble to cover the lapse. Fortunately, everyone was focused, and there were no mistakes, and a few incredible, shiver-causing moments during that collaboration.  I'd love to see it/hear it - it was definitely "shiver-making."
 
Were they working with London Symphony Orchestra? For a while there, LSO would play with anyone with money. This song would do well with an orchestral arrangement. Symphonic Led Zep often works pretty well—"Kashmir" especially. 

I'm sure that it was nerve-wracking for Tyler and the band, but a professional orchestra is often an amazingly skilled and adaptive machine. They orchestra in question likely had to deal with a lot of similar situations before Steve stumbled in.

As others have said—yeah, this got played to death in the Boston area. Maybe I was listening to a bad recording on crappy speakers, but the last time I listened to this album it sounded leaden and plodding. I'm still partial to the band because when they were first starting out they played a concert in my high school's fieldhouse/gym (the only concert ever performed there...). Before my time though. 
Okay - someone somewhere has to have a YouTube clip where Aerosmith performed this song with an orchestra, and it was absolutely amazing. (I read an article in which Tyler said, "We were scared shitless - an ORCHESTRA?")  The gist of the interview was about cues and working with a huge group of people that were like a school of fish - they acted on the direction of one person, and if that person missed a cue, the band would have to scramble to cover the lapse. Fortunately, everyone was focused, and there were no mistakes, and a few incredible, shiver-causing moments during that collaboration.  I'd love to see it/hear it - it was definitely "shiver-making."
 djblitz wrote:
I'm an elitist hipster that pretends to not listen to commercial radio to know this is even played there.....but yet still complain when it's played here!  
 
The first 7,000 times I heard it in the 70s was enough to drive me crazy.

You couldn't swing a dead cat in Boston without it hitting a radio playing this song.

Then came the great sell-out where it was featured in every BS car/cologne/condom commercial where it was drilled into you again.

At some point there was a horrible Super Bowl half-time show that also had this in it.

I loathe Aerosmith. 
Although I like a lot of Aerosmith's early stuff, I never liked Dream On.  Just too funeral dirge like.
 iTuner wrote:
Worn out crap. Not on RP please. I listen to RP so I don't hear this classic rock drivel.
 
classic rock drivel?  i think we can make exceptions for the amazingly awesome pieces of classical rock, that melts your face off!

Yes, that was mocking many of you.
I'm an elitist hipster that pretends to not listen to commercial radio to know this is even played there.....but yet still complain when it's played here!  
Sing with me, sing for me here!
Worn out crap. Not on RP please. I listen to RP so I don't hear this classic rock drivel.
>Bonfires
>Army Dreamers
>Dream On
I see what you did there :D Cool set man! 
Aerosmith has had some clunkers, but this isn't one of them.  I love the whole album.  They're one of the last artists I would have expected to show up at RP, but I'm glad they made it! {#Clap}
Forgot about the gong at the end. Nice touch. I like the keyboard sound in this too. Nothing wrong with hearing this on a station like RP, where there's a great mix of styles... not so cool to hear it on a typical classic rock station that overplays this with all the other usual suspects.
 fatcatjb wrote:
never thought I'd hear this on RP
truly a great song, and for those of us who quit listening to commercial radio 30 years ago, it is like a long-lost friend from a lost-lost era 
 
That's it! That's it! Commercial radio has killed so many good songs over the years. I'm fine with RP dusting off some of the huge classics every now and then.

 Canlistener wrote:
This sucks just as much now as it did 20 years ago... disappointed I'm hearing this on RP
 

I am disappointed you are hearing it also.  Any ears that do not appreciate this song disappoint me. 
Okay, I am going to cry now...
{#Cry}
Classic Rock. Fuck yeah!
BTW, I rated this a 9. Thanks Bill.

I'm going to cry now...
 

Yeah, I know, nobody knows
Where it comes and where it goes
I know it's everybody's sin
You got to lose to know. . . how to win



 underarmor wrote:
Hmmm, my album cover is different.   


from Wiki:

The photo at the top is the original cover, which misprinted the song "Walkin' The Dog" as "Walkin' The Dig". When a second pressing of the album was released in 1976, this error was corrected, and the cover replaced with a modified one made up entirely of the photo of the band members. This second pressing is the more commonly available version of the LP. When reissued on CD in 1993 as a remastered version, the original first pressing artwork was used.



 treatment_bound wrote:


...and the best one was???????????
 

Imagine? Tupelo Honey? Love Reign o'er Me? London Calling? Atomic Punk?( o.k. maybe not atomic punk)

 underarmor wrote:
Hmmm, my album cover is different.  I burned out on this song a long time ago, but I still break out the album to listen to some absolute stud songs on it besides this one.  Make It, Somebody, Walking The Dog, etc.

Bill, lots of deep tracks on this thing you could bring back to life. 
 
Oops.  Can't believe I forgot Mama Kin.
Hmmm, my album cover is different.  I burned out on this song a long time ago, but I still break out the album to listen to some absolute stud songs on it besides this one.  Make It, Somebody, Walking The Dog, etc.

Bill, lots of deep tracks on this thing you could bring back to life. 
 yodasan_magoo wrote:
Second best song to come out of 70s...
 

...and the best one was???????????
Second best song to come out of 70s...
But it didn't suck 38 years ago, kiddo!
This sucks just as much now as it did 20 years ago... disappointed I'm hearing this on RP
I guess I needed to go back and be reminded that I actually used to like this group.
I saw the release date of this song and it dawned on me... Damn I'm old!!! Stop putting the release date out there, RP, please! You're busting my bublle. Sigh...
Aerosmith, Boston Gahden, 1976.

You had to be there.
 Hannio wrote:
You gotta be kidding.
 

Dream On, dude!

Good song on 420 as it reminds me of being 15 and stoned again.


WOW
long time no hear for this classic.
some music just gets better with age. 
never thought I'd hear this on RP
truly a great song, and for those of us who quit listening to commercial radio 30 years ago, it is like a long-lost friend from a lost-lost era 
 Hannio wrote:
You gotta be kidding.
 
That's funny!
SunDust
 Hannio wrote:
You gotta be kidding.
 
I'm kidding you not, son {#Devil_pimp}
yes you hear it often, but it really is a great song.
Wow, haven't heard this in AGES!!!
Glad to hear it here! 
You gotta be kidding.