The story behind the song "I Can Dream About You" by Dan Hartman (OST "Streets on Fire").

The song "I Can Dream About You" was written by Dan Hartman specifically for the musical action film Streets on Fire! Released in 1984 as a single from the soundtrack, and included on the artist's album of the same name, it reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100! For Hartman, it was a major success.....

The story of I Can Dream About You by Dan Hartman.

The song was written for the action film "Streets on Fire", where it was performed by the fictional band The Sorels. It would seem that while watching this film, we enjoy the skills of the "vocalist" of the said band - Stoney Jackson's character! However, the authentic voice behind the version used in the film belongs to Winston Ford. Hartman's version was used on the soundtrack, and subsequently released as a single.

The music director for the film was Kenny Vance. In his interview, he shared:

"...When you're watching the film and The Sorels are playing that song... I think that's the version of the single that was supposed to come out. And I recorded that version! But then Dan Hartman heard the song...I don't know what happened next, but he released his version, which became his smash hit! Hollywood is a very slippery place..."

In the film, the composition was performed by a studio singer, but not by Hartman... However, in the end Dan insisted! The single from the soundtrack was released already performed by him.

The best part is that originally - "I Can Dream About You" was intended for the musical duo Hall & Oates. Daryl Hall later recalled:

"We recorded this song twenty years late... Dan Hartman was a good old friend of ours. I remember him coming up to me and saying: "I've got this great song I wrote for you guys. For you guys, you know? You should sing this song." But unfortunately we had just finished the album, and we couldn't put 'I Can Dream About You' on it... I apologised for a long time. Six months later I was watching MTV where they were playing the video for that song... It was his hit, God bless him. Today we recorded his composition as he wanted. I hope he hears it, and enjoys it..."

Dan Hartman was a fine singer, guitarist, songwriter and producer! He was a member of the Edgar Winter Group from 1972 to 1976. He produced tracks for 38 Special, Average White Band and James Brown. "I Can Dream About You" was his big hit, along with "Instant Replay", "We Are Young" and "Second Nature". Hartman died of a brain tumour at the age of 43.

Music video

The music video for this song was made using footage from the film Streets on Fire. The song was originally performed by Winston Ford. Dan Hartman later recorded new vocals for the music video!