These Dreams...

It always baffles me when artists use the same song titles as other bands.

You would think that after Aerosmith released “Dream On” back in 1973, they had the lock on that title. Turns out…not so much.

In addition to Depeche Mode, two glam bands also recorded “Dream On.” In all instances, the songs are stand alone, and not an Aerosmith cover.

Britny Fox recorded “Dream On” for their 1989 album Boys In Heat. The sophomore effort was also the last with singer Dizzy Dean Davidson. He was replaced with Tommy Paris. Britny Fox are doing several club shows around the country next month, and I’ll be in attendance.

In some ways I like Boys In Heat better than Britny Fox. The band is often criticized for being too much like Cinderella, but I think that stigma wore off a little with the second album. It seems like Britny Fox were trying to develop their own sound with Boys In Heat and latter releases.

Here’s the Britny Fox video for “Dream On.”

Canadians Helix recorded their “Dream On” for the 1987 release Wild in the Streets. While the Britny Fox “Dream On” is an upbeat little tune, Helix provides a power ballad of sorts. Their version is a remake of the early 80s Nazareth release.

Here’s the Helix video for “Dream On.”

It would be foolish to not post a clip of Aerosmith performing their best song. Therefore, here is Aerosmith performing “Dream On” live in Las Vegas sometime in 2006.

So, which of these “Dreams” is better? I’ve said before in other posts that Aerosmith’s “Dream On” is my favorite song, so you already know where I stand on the issue. Now I want your thoughts.

Comments

[aXe mAn]

I would agree and say that Aerosmith's is the BEST. But I think that Britny Fox's is pretty good as well.

[Christian Graus]

I really like Britny Fox, and I like Helix, too, but I agree - it makes no sense to write a song that has the same title as a classic song. Dirty Penny and Airbourne both have tracks called Runnin' Wild, but if the song is not super well known ( or they came out at the same time ), that's different. Dream On by Aerosmith is a classic, no-one can write another song with that title and have it be as good. When I saw Aerosmith live, they played one song from the 80s, and mostly 70s stuff. It was good, but the only songs I heard that night that were on my short list of songs I wanted, were Dream on and Walk this way. I doubt they could do a show and not play those two songs.

[bob_vinyl]

I can see Depeche Mode getting away with it, but haven't lame bands like Britny Fox and Helix ripped Aerosmith off enough. Do they have to steal the song title too? I guess we should all be glad they didn't make it a cover though, because that would be even worse. Needless to say, I agree that Aerosmith's "Dream On" is best, but it's not their best song, because you're forgetting about "Sweet Emotion."

[Allyson]

Bob --

Sweet Emotion is a clear classic, truly one of Aerosmith's best songs. I still think "Dream On" is just a little better. I especially love that you can still hear errors on the track, even in the remastered versions.

Other top Aerosmith songs:

Kings and Queens
Round and Round
Last Child

Pandora's Box is great -- all the rare songs, etc.

-- Allyson

[Tyk]

Dream On is a generic enough song title that more than one band can have a song called it.... something like Armageddon It is unique enough that it would be silly to have your own song called it.

[bob_vinyl]

"Kings and Queens" is probably my second favorite from Aerosmith. It's a little different for them.

[Jessie]

I think DREAM ON by BRITNY FOX is awesome. They album BITE DOWN HARD is just incredible. Chek it out.

[objet]

"Dream On" is a firstly and foremostly a very common turn of phrase, for Christ's sake - not a song title.

Following the same logic, are you ripping off REO Speedwagon by using the term "power ballad" in the article?

And we wonder why pop culture has died...