Carrie Underwood's "Dream" a Much Needed Wake-Up Call
This just in from the random-but-awesome Carrie Underwood files. A breathtaking picture of Underwood performing her war widow tribute "Just a Dream." The caption describes Underwood's single as "top-notch tear-jerking melodrama." And they are right about that and about the vivid imagery in the video when Underwood goes from new bride to grieving wife of another military casualty. But they also manage to squeeze in a jab at American politics for allowing our hopes in the president-elect to distract from our struggles in Iraq. So kudos to Underwood and her label for releasing a song that reminds Americans what's really going on over there while we're all busy celebrating Obama over here.
You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
Luvncountry says:
If Carrie doesn’t get an award for this next year, something is wrong in Nashville. We have an Army base close by and Navy just a little further away, so I know this hits home with many troops. I am not military, nor married to one, but it makes ME sad just watching this video of Carrie’s. I think this theme would apply to spouses of law enforcement too.
dan says:
And yet again politics messes up a song or something else we listen to music or go to a movie to get away from politics.
Luvncountry says:
I don’t think this song, or the sentiment of it, messed up
anything. Nor do I see it as “political.” It’s the heart.
MLD says:
I agree Luvncountry Just A Dream is not political at all.
It’s about the heartbreak of losing someone that many people experience everyday.
JP says:
Exactly right, this song anyone that has lost a loved one, can relate too…not just in the military. Carrie has an awesome voice for this song, she sings it with such passion.
TG says:
The video to me was not specific to any war and it represents all wars fought and where people died young, too young and changed a lot of lives forever
The civil war would probably fit it better than any other war, aka WW1 or WW2. We fought each other and killed on our own soil
I am also over the obamagasm the media has been having for months
Melissa says:
I really do love this song, although I thought the video was poorly done. I love the concept of the video and how her dress goes from white to black with the drop of one tear, but you could totally see that it was all done on a green screen (or whatever it’s called) and it totally looked fake. Why not just find a real garden/foresty area and do it there?
But regardless of the video, I think her vocals are great on the actual track and I hope she does get some kind of award for it. It was one of my favorite songs when the album first came out.
Bbc says:
This is one of those special songs that we will be hearing for generations to come because it is sung with such emotional vibrato it takes you to the place in your heart that you put a missed loved one!!!! Thank you Carrie for sharing such an important and meaningful song with the American public!!!!
Judy says:
Carrie Underwood, is by far the best our music industry has had in a long, long time. She is a class act. She had an amazing year and I feel that she is the best in any genre of music. She is a beautiful Young Lady, inside and out and this video
“Just A Dream,” is a powerful and dramatic video. She is the real deal and this story tells the real everyday life stories of many people that have to struggle through this terrible war.
Thank You Carrie, for sharing your talent with us.
Judy Owasso, OK.
dan says:
its not but just the through of someone that does is sick
diane says:
This song is incredible..I also was slightly disappointed in the way the video was done..but Carrie made it real with true emotion and tears..Even her makeup was running…This song has nothing to do with politics..it can be sung for any hero in any war…or anyone who has lost a loved one..War is not specifically mentioned in the song..she must get an award for the song…and she must sings it over and over and over….as only SHE can do it..Thank you Carrie..
CJ says:
This song has touched so many lives. Just here in our town people are talking about it. In the Resturant, post office etc. Carrie sang it beautiful. I thought it was well put together. It told what the song was trying to relate. It is easy for all of you to sit home and say what should be.
Sue says:
I don’t think I am mistaken, in saying that the video was shot in the woods..someplace outside of Nashville. We saw some pics of them shooting it. Carrie did a fantastic job!
bresenolouie says:
The song and the music video “Just A Dream” reminds me of how “GREAT” our men and women in uniform who are fighting for our freedom and their families - “OUR GREAT HEROES”. This song also reminds me to include them in my prayers everyday because without them - their heroic act in service of our beloved country, we will not be able to enjoy our lives, without fear from the terrorist attacks.
bresenolouie says:
Carrie Underwood and the song “Just A Dream” should win many awards in ACM 2009, CMA 2009 and Grammys 2010 because this is a “PHENOMENAL EPIC SONG”. This is a “MASTERPIECE SONG” and a “PHENOMENAL VOCAL PERFORMANCE”.
Deb says:
violin stumming to the carrie fans ‘cry me a carrie award’ geeezzz you people have no heart for anyone else.. you’re not worried about the victims or the families of war.. listen to yourselves, you should be ashamed the only thing most of you are worried about is trying to get a brag in about ‘carries singing’ or whether carrie will get another award in 2009/2010 that’s just sick…
RedMaZ says:
I’ve heard the song. That was enough. I don’t care for the vocal delivery. Too much screaming for me. About as bad a McBride, yes we know you have a set of pipes, but give them a rest once in a while. The meaning of the song is lost by the oversinging. Too mechanical.
Tenn says:
It’s good to be reminded that there are brave souls who put their lives on the line everyday . They are heroic. We should give thanks and use our time wisely to live up to the deservedness of their sacrifice .
Kate says:
Hi RedMaZ
So you call it po tay to, I call it po ta to..You call it ’screaming’, I call it exceptional ‘vocals’.I call Underwood’s rendition of ‘Just A Dream’ a great exercise in ‘emoting’. There is lots of emotion there, fear, anger, desperation, sadness. It’s the ‘wailing’ of a widow and often ‘laments’ are apt to be, loud.
Anyway no harm done..one can only call it as ‘they see’ it.. as long as they don’t get confused and think that how ‘they see it’ is actually how ‘it is’… Because of course it’s not.
Happy Safe Holidays to you RedMaZ and to everyone!
Amir says:
Deb,
it is through the awards that can Carrie be rewarded. I am sure she is happy that her song has affected so many people, but as life is all about ‘give and take’, Carrie has ‘given’ the song, and she should ‘take’ some awards to reward her hard work that has touched so many hearts.
RedMaZ,
I am sorry you did not ‘hear what we hear’ and ’see what we see’. hehe
Just my 2 cents.
Happy holidays everyone
Jan says:
The absolute ‘moment’ for me is when she says to him “Promise?” This song has touched me from the beginning. I have asked many to listen and some can’t get all the way through it. Too much emotion, they say. Beautiful introduction at the CMA’s and beautiful rendition. Thanks Carrie.
Merry Christmas Everyone.
K says:
No one in country can deliver that song like Carrie does. I cried the first time I heard it on the album; it takes a lot to make me cry. And I don’t even know anyone in the military or anyone overseas.
Carrie gave a spine-chilling performance at the CMA’s- her tears and emotion showed SHE is connected to the song. These days, it’s rare to find a performer who can connect emotionally with a song (especially one they didn’t write) and deliver it with those same feelings. Not to mention she gave the BEST vocal of the night by far- everyone else sounded awful, and/or didn’t belong singing on a COUNTRY MUSIC awards show.
I don’t care about how many awards “Just A Dream” wins. In my opinion, the ultimate “award” for any artist is simply the fact that their music touched a person’s life in some way or another. I’m not saying the song doesn’t deserve an award; it does, especially when you’re comparing to some of the lyrical junk that’s been coming out in Nashville lately. I’m just saying that, as an artist, Carrie probably only cares about who the song touched.
Deb: No one here (including Carrie fans) is trying to “brag on Carrie’s singing” or forget about the men and women in war. Carrie fans came here to discuss the song and that is what they’re doing. Just because not everyone is not mentioning the men and women serving doesn’t, by any means, mean they don’t care.
I thank God that there are men and women who are willing to fight everyday; I know I would never have the courage to do what they do.
I don’t know how anyone can say this video is “poorly done.” It’s clearly done during the Vietnam War about a wife who greives for her husband. Carrie’s acting is above- par in this one. You know she FEELS the pain by the looks of agnoy on her face. You know she FEELS the song by her emotional, powerful delivery.
Kudos to Carrie for delivering this song with the emotion and power it deserves each and everytime she sings it. She is in a class all her own.
Luvncountry says:
You preach it K! lol. I feel the same way.
kimberly says:
i think carrie done a wonderful job with the song and the video. did anybody watch the award show look at the lady that introduced carrie and another thing people that went to her concerts and heard that song. carrie is not fake by any longshot she has real emotions and she lets it show. she cares about other people. dont put her down for that.carrie has changed alot of peoples lives even a little girl that died a couple of months ago.you need to read up on stuff before you put carrie down. i think she is a great person.
pappy75 says:
The most powerful, emotional, heart-breaking performance,by a supremely talented young singer, of any generation, any gender,any genre.A true Masterpiece.!!
K says:
AMEN PAPPY!!! (:
I just found Carrie’s performance at the Arkansas show- she is not only an amazing singer but she FEELS the emotion of every word she sings. She paid respect to the woman by stopping for her- she had to turn around to not cry.
Kris says:
RedMaZ I think this is the first time I actually agree with what you stated! Below:
“I’ve heard the song. That was enough. I don’t care for the vocal delivery. Too much screaming for me. About as bad as McBride, yes we know you have a set of pipes, but give them a rest once in a while. The meaning of the song is lost by the oversinging. Too mechanical.”
That’s exactly how I felt and not only with “Just a Dream” but with “Last Name” too. I think she needs to go to ‘Rock’ instead of Country (imo) or quit screeching, it hurts our ears. It came on the radio station in the car and my lil nephew covered his ears and said, “please turn that off it’s hurting my ears” and I agreed completely. I like a lot of her songs but there are several I have to turn off because she just goes overboad. Carrie oversings to the point her vocals are no longer pleasant. She kills the songs when she starts screeching and not singing, and at that point you don’t even understand the lyrics anyway.
Kris says:
There are ‘Rock’ stars out there with more impressive stats and awards.
Chris says:
I think Carrie Underwood is OK as a singer and is georgous, but seriously, this song is a freakin’ train wreck to listen to. I support the troops and everything, but c’mon Carrie, seriously?
Jane says:
Everyone has their own opinion of all music and artists. I think C. U. is a very talented artist. It doesn’t matter what she is singing. Her vocals are great. Screaming, I don’t think so. I’m glad we have someone like her to represent country music. Just a Dream is a great song. I liked all of her videos. They are done with good taste.
K says:
Carrie Underwood, a screamer? You people seriously need your ears cheked. Millions of people voted for her on AI and judges who WORK in the music business praised for her for outstanding vocal delivery. Do you really think she’d be so popular if she was a screamer? I think not. In my opinion, the people who say she screams do so because they want to say something negative, honestly!
Jill says:
For those that think she screams at least she screams in tune.
Mary Croxton says:
I love Carrie Underwood I think she is awsome! Her voice is so powerful. The songs she sings you can feel yourself there. I am looking forward to seeing her in concert. I haven’t seen where she is near me but when she does come to DC area I will be the first one buying a ticket!!!
diane says:
If Carrie is a “screamer”..she is a screamer with extensive voice control..In just a dream each time she sings high (incredibly in tune by the way)..she holds back to almost a whisper..THAT is voice control my friends…A screamer..you have GOT to be kidding..whether you like her or not..the girl can sing with emotion and style.
diane says:
K says…where did you find that arkansas performance? I have been looking all over the net for it..Thanks
K says:
Diane- I went to google and typed in “Carrie Underwood just a dream arkansas” and found it. Make sure you use google though; I didn’t find it on yahoo.
Agree with the comment “at least she screams in tune.” LOL! She does have amazing vocal control, too. I’ve seen Just a Dream done acoustic; she is able to make her voice soft and subtle when it is appropriate and big and powerful when it is apropriate. I personally perfer her “big” voice. When she sings acoustic you can just tell she has so much more power than she’s letting on.
K says:
I don’t understand how people can say she’s an “OK” singer. She has a register of three octives and can sing any genre or or song. Rock, country, pop, ect. Anyone who has a register that can handle any type of song is more than an “OK” singer. Anyone who can deliver emotion in songs they didn’t write is more than an “OK singer (i.e- I ain’t in chocota anymore, Just a Dream, Jesus Take The Wheel, Don’t Forget To Remember Me)
aj says:
i love carrie underwood, and she can realy show the world what her songs are about. Just a dream realy does show how soldiers wifes feel when the husbands are gone. it shows how the wifes miss their husbands. she can realy show good emotion in her videos and get the feelings out there to make it feel real, because most people dont know what the familys of the soldiers feel like.
Livewire says:
I like that song, but to be honest, sometimes the overpowering in Carrie’s voice is to much, than I rather prefer her accoustic version of the song.
But the top song about Soldiers is Traveling Soldier by the Dixie Chicks. ( and yeah.. the haters can go on and spew nasty comments, go ahead) but that song has moved me to tears, even more so than JAD. I think that song is better, just my opinion.
Oh and Allison because youre so sarcastic about the new upcoming President Obama and that many people are celebrating, you might wanna think who put the soldiers in that situation over there in the first place ( unnacesary ..)
K says:
Travlin solider is just as good as a song as JAD, but in my opinion, JAD has a better, more emotional video, which overshadows Travlin Solider. I think the power in Carrie’s voice is what makes the song; she sells it better that way, I think.
countryiscool says:
I’m not military, but know some. I like both songs but prefer Carrie’s if I have to pick a favorite.
CarrieNEWS.com says:
“Just A Dream” is not political at all. It’s simply a tribute to the men and women who fight on behalf of our country and the unfortunate events which befall some.
team carrie says:
i love this song it makes me cry everytime
mi friend a senior his leavin june 6 n he cant be on his own graduation
countryiscool says:
I read back over some of the posts. The first one about law enforcement rings true. I know several former cops whose wives have told me they feared their hubby’s going off to work and being killed in the line of duty–maybe receiving a letter of that sort by one of the LE agents. Being friends with them both, I sure heard a lot of harrowing stories. I think Carrie did a wonderful job with this song/video. The white-to-black/bride-to-widow change of gown was a great touch!
diane says:
Thank you ksays..I just found it and it was profound to say the least…I still dont understand where people think Carrie “screams”..Her voice control is incredible and her stage presence has improved over time..she just gets better and better
peedles says:
Carrie is simply the Best!
mikayla says:
i have a brother in the military and i’m really happy that carrie made this song…because i dont want my brother or other soldiers to be forgotten out there everyday risking their lives. i think it’s a beautiful song and it reminds everyone to say a prayer for them, the song chokes me up because it really hits home it hits reality and i think carrie does a wonderful performance portrayin that feeling in her video and when she sings “just a dream” she deserves and should win an award for this.
debjr says:
I love this song and video by Carrie. I cried the first time I saw this touching video. Carrie’s delivery of this song and message is so heartfelt. I think we forget that so many wonderful people have lost their lives in wars. The pain their families feel …. well we can only imagine. Thank you, Carrie and team for bringing a song to us that is so honest and deals with a subject that we all would rather not think about but people deal with on a daily basis. Beautiful song, beautiful video and beautiful vocals by Carrie! One of the best songs of 2008!!!
peedles says:
Amen! to debjr.
bluefish@thesea says:
i love this song and nobody will dectate me,
Jackie says:
I never saw this song as “Political.” It’s so touching. The first couple of times I heard it I cried. Even now after hearing it probably half a million times I still get chills. There’s so much emotion in Carrie’s voice, and after singing her sing it live on CMAs… Wow. This girl is amazing.
Joey says:
This song has to win some kind of award eventually. It touched so many people, it was sung with alot of emotion, and is by far one of the best of 2008. Very timely song in the age we’re in.
Mark says:
I think the video tried not to point to any specific war and maybe not war at all. A service person losing their life serving this GREAT country!
Someone commented earlier that they thought the video was clearly done during the Vietnam war. During the Vietnam war, taxi cab companies were commonly used to notify next of kin with a letter. Very impersonable!!!! In the video, a military officer delivered the letter.
Jamie says:
As a military wife with a husband in Afgahnistan, this song is the last thing I want to listen to. It’s my worst nightmare!
trish says:
I am a Marine mom with my daughter fighting in Afghanistan and this song is my nightmare as well however I watch it and cry and the tears feel good it reeases pent up feelings you tube has a video with the song in a tribute to the soldiers OMG ! I love it !!!