About the song
John Denver’s Dreamland Express. Now that’s a song that takes you on a journey, both literally and metaphorically. Released in 1985, it was the title track for Denver’s album of the same name, a collection that marked a bit of a shift in his sound. While still retaining his signature folk-pop sensibilities, Dreamland Express incorporated more country and adult contemporary influences.
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The song itself is a delightful dreamscape, a whimsical exploration of love and longing. Denver, a master storyteller through song, paints a vivid picture with his lyrics. We climb aboard the Dreamland Express, a fantastical train that traverses an “ocean of blue.” This isn’t your everyday locomotive; it’s a vessel that carries us to a realm of pure desire, a place where worries fade and hearts connect.
The beauty of Dreamland Express lies in its simplicity. The melody is warm and inviting, a classic Denver composition that feels both familiar and fresh. The instrumentation is understated, with gentle acoustic guitar strumming and a touch of piano adding a touch of elegance. But it’s Denver’s voice, that clear, sincere tenor, that truly elevates the song. He sings with a yearning optimism, perfectly capturing the bittersweet nature of dreaming of a love that might not be real.
Dreamland Express wasn’t Denver’s biggest hit, but it holds a special place in the hearts of many fans. It represents a time when his music embraced a more personal storytelling style, one that delved deeper into themes of love and loss. The song also showcased Denver’s continued exploration of musical genres, a testament to his ever-evolving artistry.
There’s a sense of nostalgia woven into the fabric of Dreamland Express. It evokes a simpler time, a time of train journeys and handwritten letters, where dreams felt boundless and possibilities endless. As Denver sings about a world “where there’s not a telephone line / There’s not a soul to disturb us,” we’re transported to a place of pure connection, a world where only love exists.
Dreamland Express may not be a barnstormer of a song, but it’s a gentle and evocative piece that lingers long after the last note fades. It’s a testament to John Denver’s enduring legacy as a songwriter who could paint vivid pictures with words and melody, inviting listeners to climb aboard and embark on a journey to their own personal dreamland.
Video
Lyrics
I caught a ride on the dreamland express last night, I was sailing on an ocean of blue.
When right there by my side, much to my surprise was you.
I said, come on over here baby, let my look in your eyes, let me see the very heart of you.
And I couldn’t believe it, to conceive that my dream would come true.
Cause you said, hey there, sweet daddy, everything is all right.
For miles there’s not a telephone line.
There’s not a soul to disturb us, don’t be nervous, just come and be mine.You said, let me be the end of your rainbow, let me be the stars up above.
Let me be the one that you long for, darling, let me be the one that you love, oh,
let me be the one that you love.
And now it’s four in the morning, honey, I can’t sleep. I can’t seem to get you out of my mind.
I keep tossing and turning, yearning for the sun to shine.
I’d like to send you a ticket on the dreamland express, and take you far away with me.
I’ve got a vision of heaven and you’re living there with me.
Honey, let me be the end of your rainbow, let me be the stars up above.
Let me be the one that you long for, darling, let me be the one that you love, oh,
let me be the one that you love, oh, let me be the one that you love.