Sweet Dreams (La Bouche song)

"Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" is a song recorded by the German Eurodance duo La Bouche. It was originally released in March 1994 as the lead single from their album of the same name. The song was released in North America in November 1995. It reached number-one in both Italy and on the Canadian dance chart, and peaked at number 17 on the Eurochart Hot 100. In the United States, the song reached number 13, and in Australia, it peaked at number 8 and was certified Gold by ARIA.[2]

"Sweet Dreams"
Single by La Bouche
from the album Sweet Dreams
Released	March 12, 1994
Recorded	January 1994
Genre	Eurodance hi-NRG
Length	3:23 (Radio version) 4:50 (Club version)
Label	RCA[1]
Songwriter(s)	Robert Haynes Mehmet Sönmez Melanie Thornton
Producer(s)	Frank Farian Uli Brenner Gerd Amir Saraf
La Bouche singles chronology
"Sweet Dreams" (1994) "Be My Lover" (1995)
Music video
"Sweet Dreams" on YouTube
Alternative cover
CD-Maxi - Remix

In 2017, BuzzFeed listed the song at number 53 in their list of "The 101 Greatest Dance Songs Of the '90s".[3]

Composition

"Sweet Dreams" has a tempo of 134 beats per minute.[4] It is written in the key of B minor and follows a chord progression of Bm7 – G – A, and the vocals span from A₃ to B₄.[5]

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

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution described the song as a "high-energy hit".[6] Matt Stopera and Brian Galindo from BuzzFeed noted that "the "hola, hola, eh" makes this a multilingual smash!"[7] Daily News of Los Angeles called it "energetic".[8] James Arena, writer of Stars of '90s Dance Pop: 29 Hitmakers Discuss Their Careers wrote that the song and "Be My Lover" "are widely regarded today as indispensable classics of the decade."[9] Music & Media commented 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."[10] People noted that the song "underscore buoyant vocals with dark minor-key arrangements".[11] Richmond Times-Dispatch commented, "I am insanely jealous of the lead female vocal, Melanie Thornton. She has a wonderful, flexible voice."[12]

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.[13] Outside Europe, "Sweet Dreams" reached number 3 in Israel, number 5 in Japan, number 8 in Australia and number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100. But on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play, the song hit number 3 and on the US Cash Box Pop Singles Chart, it reached number 8. 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 due to crossover airplay in South-Europe. It peaked at number 5 on September 3, 1994.[14]

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.[15] The European music video 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 a 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. The video was uploaded to YouTube in 2016. By August 2020, it had more than 2.3 million views.[16]

Track listings

CD-Maxi

1. "Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" (Radio Version) (3:23)
2. "Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" (Club Mix) (4:55)
3. "Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" (House Mix) (6:38)
4. "Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" (Oriental Mix) (5:17)
5. "Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" (Hola Mix) (5:10)

CD-Maxi - Remix

1. "Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" (Airplay Edit) (3:58)
2. "Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" (Loveland UK Mix) (7:00)
3. "Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" (Italian No.1 Mix) (5:09)
4. "Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" (French 'hit des clubs' Mix) (5:35)
5. "Sweet Dreams (Ola Ola E)" (House Mix) (6:38)

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts Chart (1994–96)[17] Peak position Australia (ARIA) 8 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) 3 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[18] 28 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[19] 54 Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[20] 1 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[21] 17 Europe (European Dance Radio)[22] 1 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[23] 15 France (SNEP) 32 Germany (Media Control Charts) 8 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[24] 15 Ireland (IRMA)[25] 16 Israel (Israel Top-30) 3 Italy (Musica e dischi)[26] 1 Japan (Oricon)[27] 5 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[28] 32 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[29] 31 New Zealand (RIANZ) 34 Scotland (Official Charts Company)[30] 82 (1994) Scotland (Official Charts Company)[31] 24 (1996) Spain (AFYVE)[32] 6 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) 13 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 5 UK Singles (Official Charts Company) 63 (1994) UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[33] 44 (1996) U.S. Billboard Hot 100[34] 13 U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[34] 3 U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks[34] 31 U.S. Billboard Mainstream Top 40[34] 4 U.S. Cash Box[35] 8

Year-end charts Chart (1994-96) Position Australia (ARIA)[2] 47 Canada Dance (RPM)[36] 14 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[37] 59 Germany (Official German Charts)[38] 51 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[39] 251 U.S. Billboard Hot 100[40] 37 Certifications Region Certification Sales/shipments Australia (ARIA)[2] Gold 35,000

References

1. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=la+bouche#search_section
2. "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles 1996". ARIA. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
3. "The 101 Greatest Dance Songs Of the '90s". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
4. "BPM for 'sweet dreams' by la bouche | songbpm.com". songbpm.com. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
5. Saraf, Gerd Amir. "La Bouche "Sweet Dreams" Sheet Music in B Minor - Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
6. "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. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
7. Stopera, Matt; Galindo, Brian (11 March 2017). "The 101 Greatest Dance Songs of the '90s". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
8. "POP BEAT, LA BOUCHE HITTING U.S.". Daily News of Los Angeles. 7 June 1996. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
9. James Arena (6 December 2016). Stars of '90s Dance Pop: 29 Hitmakers Discuss Their Careers. p. 123. ISBN 9781476626611. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
10. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 25 June 1994. p. 6. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
11. "Picks and Pans Review: Land of the Living". People. 29 July 1996. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
12. "LA BOUCHE". Richmond Times-Dispatch. 15 March 1996. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
13. "Official Singles Chart Top 100 01 September 1996 - 07 September 1996". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
14. "Border Breakers: Monitoring The Impact Of Euro Talent" (PDF). Music & Media. 19 November 1994. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
15. "La Bouche: Sweet dreams". Mvdbase.com. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
16. "La Bouche - Sweet dreams (Official Video) (VOD)". YouTube. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
17. "Sweet Dreams", in various Singles Chart Lescharts.com (Retrieved February 12, 2008)
18. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3041." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
19. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 3042." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
20. "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 2644." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
21. "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
22. "European Dance Radio Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media. 3 September 1994. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
23. Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin - levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 9789511210535.
24. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (11.05.1996 – 17.05.1996)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 11 May 1996. p. 26. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
25. Search for Irish peak
26. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11 no. 29. 16 July 1994. p. 21. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
27. Japanese Oricon Singles Chart
28. "Nederlandse Top 40 – La Bouche" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
29. "Dutchcharts.nl – La Bouche – Sweet Dreams" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
30. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 18 September 1994 - 24 September 1994". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
31. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 01 September 1996 - 07 September 1996". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
32. Billboard: Hits of the World, 3 December 1994
33. United Kingdom Peak
34. Billboard Allmusic.com (Retrieved 28 July 2008)
35. "Cash Box Top 100 Pop Singles" (PDF). Cash Box (22 June 1996). Retrieved 20 February 2018.
36. "Canada Top 50 Dance Tracks of 1994". RPM. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
37. "1994 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
38. "Top 100 Singles – Jahrescharts 1994" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
39. "Jaarlijsten 1995" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
40. "Billboard Top 100 - 1996". Retrieved 27 August 2010.

External links

• "Sweet Dreams (European Version)" music video on YouTube
• "Sweet Dreams (US Version) (Old Rap Version)" music video on YouTube
• "Sweet Dreams (US Version) (New Rap Version)" music video on YouTube
• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics