Dreamlover

"Dreamlover" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey for her third studio album, Music Box (1993). Columbia Records issued it as the album's lead single on July 27, 1993. Its lyrics, written by Carey, describe the narrator's yearning for an ideal lover who will not disappoint her as others have in the past. Carey and Dave Hall composed the music and produced it with Walter Afanasieff. A pop, R&B, and dance track with new jack swing and hip-hop influences, "Dreamlover" features keyboards, synthesizers, programmed drums, and electric organ. Its melody and instrumentation feature a sample of the hook from "Blind Alley" (1971) by the Emotions. Music critics deemed "Dreamlover" a highlight from Music Box and were fond of its production; Carey's restrained vocals and lyricism received more mixed reviews. It received a nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 36th Annual Grammy Awards. The song received significant airplay across American adult contemporary, urban contemporary, and contemporary hit radio stations and broke the record for the most airplay in a single week. It topped the US Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart—Carey's seventh song to do so—for eight consecutive weeks. The Recording Industry Association of America certified it platinum. Elsewhere, it topped the charts in Canada and Panama and reached the top ten in Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. Diane Martel directed the music video for "Dreamlover", which depicts Carey dancing in a field, swimming in a pond, and riding a hot air balloon. American music video channels heavily rotated it, and critics embraced its lighthearted nature. She has performed the song on televised programs—such as The Arsenio Hall Show and Top of the Pops—and on many of her concert tours and residencies, including the Music Box Tour (1993). Ranked high on retrospective lists of...