Everybody Has a Dream

Album: The Stranger (1977)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Joel (from USA Today July 9, 2008): "That was actually written a long time prior to The Stranger, and it was written as a folk song. We redid the approach like a Joe Cocker gospel thing. It just felt like a great way to sum up the album, sort of a gospel celebration."

Comments: 3

  • Neil from Detroit, MiAlong with "Get It Right The First Time", this song was one of the most underrated songs on the album. On a personal level, the song has served as a very motivational, driving force in my life due to its passionate meaning.
  • Richard from Somerdale , NjThis song goes into a playing of The Stranger at the end, as Joel whistles the tune at the intro and end of the song. It kinda serves as a ender to the album, as Stranger's "main" song is The Stranger. It also creates a slight connection to one of Joel's other albums, The Nylon Curtain. At the end of Where's The Orchestra? (Nylon Curtain's closing song, great song by the way) fades out with a slower version of Allentown (Curtain's main song, also great), and finishes the album. The main difference is that at the end of Everybody Has a Dream, it plays an almost-direct copy of the mysterious piano/whistling solo from Stranger, while Where's The Orchestra plays a more tranquil and peaceful version of Allentown.
  • Joseph from Oyster Bay, NyAs per. Phill Ramone (Producer of "The Stranger") this song was written around 1971 and suposed to be on the Cold Spring Harbor album.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.

Sugarland

SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Meet the "sassy basket" with the biggest voice in country music.

Terry Jacks ("Seasons in the Sun")

Terry Jacks ("Seasons in the Sun")Songwriter Interviews

Inspired by his dear friend, "Seasons in the Sun" paid for Terry's boat, which led him away from music and into a battle with Canadian paper mills.

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Jimmy Jam

Jimmy JamSongwriter Interviews

The powerhouse producer behind Janet Jackson's hits talks about his Boyz II Men ballads and regrouping The Time.

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song Titles

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song TitlesMusic Quiz

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have some rather unusual song titles - see if you can spot the real ones.