"Dreams Go By" is a song written and performed by
Harry Chapin
Harry Forster Chapin (; December 7, 1942 – July 16, 1981) was an American singer-songwriter, philanthropist, and hunger activist best known for his folk rock and pop rock songs. He achieved worldwide success in the 1970s. Chapin, a Grammy Award- ...
. The song was included on his 1975 album, ''
Portrait Gallery A Portrait Gallery is a gallery or museum in which portraits are shown.
This can be a private gallery; however, the most prominent portrait galleries are National Portrait Galleries such as:
*National Portrait Gallery (Australia) in Canberra
*Nat ...
''. The song is about life passing by, and your dreams not coming true. The song became a top 40 adult contemporary hit, peaking at #33 on the ''
Billboard
A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...
''
Easy Listening
Easy listening (including mood music) is a popular music genre and radio format that was most popular during the 1950s to the 1970s. It is related to middle of the road (MOR) music and encompasses instrumental recordings of standards, hit s ...
chart, where it stayed for two weeks.
''
Record World
''Record World'' magazine was one of three major weekly music industry trade magazines in the United States, with ''Billboard'' and '' Cashbox''. It was founded in 1946 as ''Music Vendor''. In 1964, it was changed to ''Record World'' under the ...
'' said that "the kind of delayed gratification that parents have been urging upon children since time began takes on a distinctively different hue here in this family-based classic" and that "broken dreams are pieced back together with much Chapin insight."
Chart performance
Weekly charts
References
{{authority control
1974 songs
Elektra Records singles
Harry Chapin songs
Songs written by Harry Chapin
Song recordings produced by Paul Leka