Just a Dream (Nelly song)

"Just a Dream"
Single by Nelly
from the album 5.0
Released	August 16, 2010
Format	CD digital download
Recorded	2010; Miami, Florida (The Hit Factory Studios, Playland Playhouse)
Genre	Hip hop R&B
Length	3:57
Label	Derrty Universal Motown
Writer(s)	Cornell Haynes, Jr. James Scheffer Richard Butler, Jr. Frank Romano
Producer(s)	Jim Jonsin Rico Love
Nelly singles chronology
"Stepped on My J'z" (2008) "Just a Dream" (2010) "Move That Body" (2010)

"Just a Dream" is a song performed by American rapper Nelly, released as the lead single from his 2010 album 5.0. The song was written by Mitch J, Nelly, Rico Love, Jim Jonsin and Frank Romano with Jonsin and Love producing the song.^[1] The song was released on August 16, 2010 to iTunes Stores around the world for digital download.^[2] It was released alongside the promotional single, "Tippin' In da Club".^[3] On October 6, 2010 the song was certified triple platinum by the RIAA.^[4]

Composition

	"Just a Dream" A sample of "Just a Dream", featuring the bridge and chorus, which Nelly sings.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Nelly said, "I think that the way the whole song plays out, with the beat and the lyrics, I think it comes together in the sense of it's almost a timeless song."^[5]

Many have speculated "Just a Dream" is actually about Nelly's relationship with Ashanti. He responds in an interview for "That Grape Juice", "No it's not about Ashanti. It's just a song that I and my man [Rico] came up with. It's a song that just relatable on all levels – rich, poor, black, white, child, adult – whatever level it is. If [thinking it’s about Ashanti] is what helps people to go out and support it then so be it (giggles)."^[6]

Chart performance

"Just a Dream" made its first chart appearance, debuting on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number twelve and peaking at number three in its eighth week. The song also debuted at number 38 on Billboard's Mainstream Top 40 chart,^[7] and debuted at number eight on the Billboard Digital Songs chart, selling 135,000 downloads in its first week.^[8][9] "Just a Dream" is Nelly's highest-charting song since his 2005 single "Grillz". and debuted at number 22 on the Billboard Rap Songs chart. As of November 2013, the song has sold over 4 million copies in the United States.^[10]

The song entered the Canadian Hot 100 on August 2010, at number 32.^[11] It debuted in Australia (ARIA Charts) at number 24,^[12] on the New Zealand Singles Chart at number 29, Switzerland (Media Control AG) at number 52 and the UK Singles Chart at number 8.

Live performances

Nelly performed "Just a Dream" during a free concert to help promote St. Louis' bid for the 2012 Democratic National Convention at Kiener Plaza on July 29, 2010.^[13] He also performed the song during the 2010 MOBO Awards in Liverpool, England on October 20, 2010. Nelly performed live for the November 13th Margarito/Pacquiao bout at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas.

Accolades

Nelly won "Top Streaming Song" for "Just a Dream" at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards. At the 2011 MuchMusic Video Awards, Nelly was Nominated for "MuchMusic.com Most Watched Video" for "Just a Dream" but lost to Taio Cruz's "Dynamite". The song is also covered in the 2012 musical comedy Pitch Perfect by Anna Kendrick.

Music video

Nelly shot the music video to "Just a Dream" on August 26, 2010 at Playa del Rey, Los Angeles.^[14][15][16] The director of the video is Sanji.^[17] Nelly goes sky high in a dramatic black-and-white video, sitting in his car while floating high above the ocean. Nelly looks down on his girl—Kat Graham—as she runs along the shore. He later he comes down to ground to take a trip to the club. While searching for his love, he mistakes a girl walking on the street—actress Bianca Siavoshy—for his girlfriend. His dream home, a wedding ring, and his car, items that had been floating above the beach, burst into flames, their ashes falling to the shore below. There are several shots of one of Nelly's eyes shattering as if made of glass.

The car in the video is a custom-made Ford Mustang GT.

The house in the video is a dollhouse called The Emerson House, made by toymaker Brinca Dada (www.brincadada.com).

It premiered on September 24, 2010.^[18] Shannon Brown of the Miami Heat makes a cameo appearance.

Track listing

Digital download^[2]

1. "Just a Dream" – 3:57

Credits and personnel

The credits for "Just a Dream" are adapted from 5.0 album liner notes.^[1]

Recording information

• Recorded in Florida at The Hit Factory Studios and Playland Playhouse, Miami.

Personnel

• Nelly – vocals, songwriter
• James Scheffer (Jim Jonsin) – producer, songwriter, keyboards
• Richard Butler, Jr. (Rico Love) – producer, songwriter
• Frank Romano – guitar, songwriter
• Robert Marks – recording engineer, audio mixer
• Ryan Evans – recording engineer
• Jason Wilkie – recording assistant, mixing assistant
• Matt Huber – recording assistant, mixing assistant
• Thurston McCrea – recording assistant, additional engineering
• Chad Jolley – mixing assistant
• Brandon Jones – additional engineering

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts Chart (2010–11) Peak position scope="row" Australia (ARIA)[19] 3 scope="row" Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[20] 23 scope="row" Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[21] 45 scope="row" Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[22] 35 scope="row" Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[23] 5 Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)[24] 39 scope="row" Denmark (Tracklisten)[25] 39 scope="row" Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[26] 8 scope="row" France (SNEP)[27] 56 scope="row" Germany (Official German Charts)[28] 17 scope="row" Ireland (IRMA)[29] 8 scope="row" Israel (Media Forest)[30] 10 scope="row" Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[31] 10 scope="row" New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[32] 5 scope="row" Norway (VG-lista)[33] 15 scope="row" Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[34] 1 scope="row" Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[35] 6 scope="row" Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[36] 15 scope="row" Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[37] 22 scope="row" UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[38] 8 scope="row" US Billboard Hot 100[39] 3 scope="row" US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[40] 22 scope="row" US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[41] 6 scope="row" US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[42] 1 scope="row" US Rhythmic (Billboard)[43] 1

Certifications Region Certification Certified units/Sales Australia (ARIA)[44] 4× Platinum 280,000^^ New Zealand (RMNZ)[45] Platinum 15,000^* Sweden (GLF)[46] Gold 10,000^^ Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[47] Gold 15,000^^ United States (RIAA)[48] 4× Platinum 4,000,000[10] ^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone Year-end charts Chart (2010) Position Australia (ARIA)[49] 16 US Billboard Hot 100[50] 35 Chart (2011) Position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[51] 60 US Billboard Hot 100[52] 52

Radio and release history

Country	Date	Format
United States[53]	August 10, 2010	Mainstream rhythmic radio
Japan[54]	August 16, 2010	Digital download
Switzerland[55]
Canada[56]	August 17, 2010
United States[57]
Italy[58]	August 30, 2010	CD single
Brazil[59]	September 24, 2010	Airplay
United Kingdom[60]	October 15, 2010	Digital download
Germany[61]	November 12, 2010	CD single

References

1. 5.0 (booklet). Nelly. Universal Republic, Universal Motown (Universal Music). 2010.
2. "Just a Dream - Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-16.
3. "Tippin' In da Club - Single by Nelly". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
4. RIAA - Gold & Platinum - December 22, 2010
5. Nelly Discusses “Just A Dream” Video And Working With Dr. Luke On ‘5.0′ | Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on Idolator.com
6. That Grape Juice Interviews Nelly | ..::That Grape Juice // ThatGrapeJuice.net::..|| Thirsty?
7. "Chart Highlights: Country, Dance/Club Play Songs & More ". Billboard.com. 2010-08-16.
8. Digital Songs | Billboard.com
9. Nelly's Just a Dream Makes Debut on Charts. Rap-Up. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
10. Grein, Paul (November 27, 2013). "Chart Watch: Lorde Wins A Squeaker". Chart Watch. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
11. "Nelly Artist History". Billboard. Billboard charts. 2010-08-27. Retrieved 2010-05-26.
12. australian-charts.com - Nelly - Just A Dream
13. Nelly Performs Just A Dream (Video) | Advent Outpost
14. Rap-Up.com || Video: On Set of Nelly’s ‘Just a Dream’
15. Nelly On The Set Of "Just A Dream" Music Video & Single Makes Chart Debut!
16. Behind The Scenes: Nelly’s ‘Just A Dream’ Video | ..::That Grape Juice // ThatGrapeJuice.net::..|| Thirsty?
17. Rap-Up.com || Nelly Gears Up for ’5.0’ with Promo Photos
18. Rap-Up.com || Video: Nelly – ‘Just a Dream’
19. "Australian-charts.com – Nelly – Just a Dream". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
20. "Austriancharts.at – Nelly – Just a Dream" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
21. "Ultratop.be – Nelly – Just a Dream" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2010-11-26.
22. "Ultratop.be – Nelly – Just a Dream" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2010-11-26.
23. "Nelly – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Nelly.
24. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201044 into search.
25. "Danishcharts.com – Nelly – Just a Dream". Tracklisten.
26. "Nelly: Just a Dream" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
27. "Lescharts.com – Nelly – Just a Dream" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 2011-02-08.
28. "Musicline.de – Nelly Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
29. "Chart Track: Week 42, 2010". Irish Singles Chart.
30. "Nelly – Just a Dream Media Forest". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest.
31. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Nelly search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40.
32. "Charts.org.nz – Nelly – Just a Dream". Top 40 Singles.
33. "Norwegiancharts.com – Nelly – Just a Dream". VG-lista.
34. "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 2011-12-05.
35. "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201103 into search. Retrieved 2011-10-06.
36. "Swedishcharts.com – Nelly – Just a Dream". Singles Top 100.
37. "Swisscharts.com – Nelly – Just a Dream". Swiss Singles Chart.
38. "Archive Chart: 2010-10-31" UK Singles Chart.
39. "Nelly – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Nelly.
40. "Nelly – Chart history" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for Nelly.
41. "Nelly – Chart history" Billboard Hot Rap Songs for Nelly.
42. "Nelly – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Nelly.
43. "Nelly – Chart history" Billboard Rhythmic Songs for Nelly.
44. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2011 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
45. THE FIELD id (chart number) MUST BE PROVIDED for NEW ZEALAND CERTIFICATION.
46. "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2011" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden.
47. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Nelly; 'Just a Dream')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
48. "American single certifications – Nelly – Just a Dream". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
49. "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2010". ARIA. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
50. http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2010/hot-100-songs?begin=31&order=position
51. http://oe3.orf.at/charts/stories/singleyear/
52. "Best of 2011: Hot 100 Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2011. Retrieved 2011-12-09.
53. "Available For Airplay". FMQB. Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report. Retrieved 2010-08-12.
54. "Just a Dream - Single - Japan". Itunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-16.
55. "Just a Dream - Single - Switzerland". Itunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-16.
56. "Just a Dream - Single - Canada". Itunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-16.
57. "Just a Dream - Single - United States". Itunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
58. italiancharts.com - Nelly - Just A Dream
59. Hit Parade - Jovem Pan FM
60. Just A Dream: Nelly: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads
61. Just a Dream (2-Track): Nelly: Amazon.de: Musik

External links

• Just a Dream (Official Video) on YouTube
• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics