Dreams Can Come True

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**"Dreams Can Come True"** is a song from Cartoon Network's 2003 animated feature film, *Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi*. It was written by composer Matthew Wilder and lyricist Lorraine Feather, and originally recorded by American actresses Janice Kawaye and Grey DeLisle in their first major roles as the voices of Ami Onuki and Yumi Yoshimura. The film's song, the Broadway-inspired soft rock ballad essentially describes its two main characters desire to pursue their music career by writing and recording songs, and touring around the world. Additionally, the song's lyrics imply that anything is possible if anyone can believe in themselves, even if it means never letting their past hold them back. Kawaye and DeLisle's rendition is heard during the famous Puffy AmiYumi world tour sequence. Kawaye and DeLisle were initially hesitant to record "Dreams Can Come True" because they felt that it was not suitable for their voices, but ultimately completed the song in one take.

"Dreams Can Come True" was subsequently recorded as a pop version by American actress and singer Sara Paxton, and released as the third single from the film's soundtrack on September 23, 2003. Cartoon Network and Epic approached Paxton to record a radio-friendly version of it in order to promote the film. However, Paxton was feeling skeptical about making a breakthrough in the music industry. Paxton eventually realized that she can relate herself to the film's two main characters, Ami and Yumi, who are trying to achieve their dream just like she is. First heard during the film's end credits, the single was produced by Guy Roche who also arranged it with Mark Hammond, and became her debut single. She was 15 at the time it was released. The song received airplay on Radio Disney as a way to help promote the film. The single's success led to its inclusion in the teen pop compilation album, *Disney Girlz Rock* and to Paxton's record deal with Epic Records. The single was later included on Paxton's debut album, *The Ups and Downs* (2007). The single was accompanied by a music video. Directed by Gil Green, it combined footage of the singer performing the song in a park with scenes from the film.

After "Dreams Can Come True" became the first Cartoon Network song to undergo a complete pop transformation, several contemporary artists were inspired to release their own radio-friendly renditions of Cartoon Network songs throughout the decade.

## Writing and recording

"Dreams Can Come True" was written by composer Matthew Wilder and lyricist Lorraine Feather in 2002. Intending for the song to be "the height of simplicity", the songwriters drew much of its influence from Broadway, and 1990s rock. The track was originally recorded by American actresses Janice Kawaye and Grey DeLisle, who voice the film's two main characters, Ami and Yumi. The songwriters first introduced "Dreams Can Come True" to Kawaye and DeLisle as a demo recording, which was accompanied by a note asking them if they might possibly be interested in singing it. Although just voice actresses, Kawaye and DeLisle were hesitant to record the ballad because of its unfamiliar rock style.

On June 8, 2002, "Dreams Can Come True" was recorded in a studio in Los Angeles accompanied by a live orchestra because the songwriters preferred to have all performers and musicians record together opposed to separating the singers from the instrumentalists.

## Sara Paxton version

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 "Dreams Can Come True" on YouTube

### Background and recording

Samples conceived the idea of using "Dreams Can Come True" to promote the film to a broader audience, following Disney's example of hiring popular singers to record commercial versions of theme songs from some of their animated films, some of which became successful singles. Coincidentally, Wilder and Feather had written the song so that it could potentially experience success outside of the *Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi* film itself. Although Kawaye and DeLisle's rendition was very much appreciated, it was considered to be unsuitable for a commercial release or radio airplay. Thus, the studio decided to make "Dreams Can Come True" the first Cartoon Network song to be arranged into a pop version of itself for the film's end credits. Wilder referred to this experience as a "turning point" in his career because it was also the first time one of his own compositions had ever undergone such a transformation. The song was produced by Guy Roche and arranged by Mark Hammond. Wilder commended Roche for successfully making the song his own.

Unable to afford to hire a "big singer" at the time, Cartoon Network and Epic had considered giving American actress and singer Sara Paxton a kick start into a music career. However, Paxton doubted that she would make a breakthrough in the music industry. Eventually, Paxton agreed to record "Dreams Can Come True" after listening to and being moved by Kawaye and DeLisle's performance. Paxton indeed identified with the song's context, stating "It's so relatable. Ami and Yumi are following a new path they chose, which involves becoming musicians in hopes of finally achieving their dream." The song's instruments were recorded first at The Record Plant in California. The singer later quickly recorded her vocals at House of Blues in Encino, while mixing was completed at The Record Plant. The song was released as the third single from the film's soundtrack, on which the song appears alongside Kawaye and DeLisle's version, on September 23, 2003 by Cartoon Network Records, and Sony Music's label Epic Records.

Serving as her debut single, Paxton's version of "Dreams Can Come True" was already being played on Radio Disney before it made its commercial debut as a CD and Compact Cassette. Prior to this, the track was officially serviced to mainstream radio on September 8, 2003.

### Music video

Paxton's performance was filmed at a park and later interpolated with various scenes from the film in order to create a music video, was directed by Gil Green. The video premiered on Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and ABC Family on October 10, 2003. The music video was made available on November 18, 2003 on the DVD of the Cartoon Network animated feature film of the same name.

### Reception

"Dreams Can Come True" is Paxton's first single that was a commercial success in the United States. "Dreams Can Come True" peaked at number 22 on the *Billboard* Hot 100, and at number 15 on *Billboard*'s Pop 100 and Hot Digital Songs. The single has managed to stay on the charts for a total of 13 weeks. To date the single has reached over 800,000 digital downloads.

### Personnel

* Sara Paxton - lead vocals
* Guy Roche – production, arrangement, keyboards, programming
* Mark Hammond – arrangement
* Dan Muckala – additional keyboards, programming, synthesizer
* Tim Pierce – guitar
* Dann Huff – guitar
* Sean Hurley – bass
* John Robinson – drums
* Bridget Benenate – backing vocals
* Keely Hawkes-Pressly – backing vocals
* Lindsay Sorensen – backing vocals
* Bill Whittington – recording
* Nigel Lundemo – additional engineering
* Freddie Sipowicz – additional engineering
* Brett Allen – guitar technician
* Pat Thrall – digital editing
* David Dillbeck – mixing

## Release history

Release dates and formats for "Dreams Can Come True"
 * CD
 Australia

## Impact and legacy

The overall success of *Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi* is partially attributed to the song's popularity. "Dreams Can Come True" was the first Cartoon Network song to undergo a complete pop rearrangement for commercial purposes. The single inspired several similar hits; popular recording artists such as Backstreet Boys, N.E.R.D., Owl City, Mike Posner, Demi Lovato, Chloe x Halle, and Jordan Fisher each experienced varying degrees of success with their own pop renditions of Cartoon Network songs throughout the decade.

*Ami and Yumi Biggest Rock Ever!* continues to be best remembered for spawning the Paxton single, which established itself as an instant classic. The success of the song is believed to have established Paxton as a teen pop recording artist. The commercial success of "Dreams Can Come True" ultimately earned Paxton a recording contract with Epic Records; the song was then included on the compilation album, *Disney Girlz Rock* (2005). The song was later included on Paxton's debut studio album, *The Ups and Downs* (2007), serving as the record's "cornerstone".