"The Dream (Hold on to Your Dream)" by Irene Cara

Song#:  1723
Date:  12/10/1983
Debut:  79
Peak:  37
Weeks:  14
Genre:  Pop, Dance, Soundtrack



Pop Bits:  Cara's first post-"Flashdance" single, "Why Me?," wasn't a major hit, but it did quite well getting to #13 on the Pop chart. It was the first new single from her album What a Feelin'. This next single tried to keep the ball rollin', but it didn't have the same appeal. It just barely made the Pop Top 40 while stalling at #26 Dance and #65 R&B. She would have better luck with the album's next single.

ReduxReview:  This song is fine, but it was made in the same mold as "Flashdance" and just sounds too similar to that hit. Not surprisingly, it was written by the same folks - Giorgio Moroder and Cara, except this time they traded Keith Forsey for Pete Belotte (Donna Summer). Also, notice the vocal part when she sings "the dreee-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee-eam!" It is the same as another Moroder/Forsey tune - Limah's "The NeverEnding Story," which would come out in 1984. Ahhh - song recycling at its best! I guess if it worked once, why not try it again? And put it in a movie as well! I don't necessarily mind this "Flashdance, Pt. 2," but I think the similarities to Cara's big hit hampered its chances of doing better.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  In addition to being on Cara's album, the song was also used in the movie D.C. Cab and served as the opening track on the related soundtrack album. Cara also appeared in the movie in a role that she was made for - herself. The film, about a rundown cab company in the District of Columbia, famously featured Mr. T in its cast along with Adam Baldwin and Gary Busey. One of the cab drivers is obsessed with Cara and has decked out his cab in all things Cara. She ends up as one of his fares.

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