"Dream Away" is a song recorded by American singer Babyface and English singer Lisa Stansfield for the soundtrack to the 1994 animated film The Pagemaster.[1] It was written by Diane Warren and produced by David Foster.[2] Released as a single in the United States on November 7, 1994, it reached number nine on the BillboardBubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and number eighty on the BillboardHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[3][4] "Dream Away" was also issued in selected European countries and Australia, and on January 21, 1995, it was released in Japan.[5][6] The song was remixed by Dave Way, Paul Waller and Ollie Marland.[7][8] The accompanying music video, directed by Randee St. Nicholas, featured Babyface, Stansfield and fragments from the film.[9] In 2003, "Dream Away" was included on the remastered edition of Stansfield's third album, So Natural (1993).[10]
Critical reception
The song received positive reviews from music critics.[1]Larry Flick from Billboard wrote: "Is it possible to conceive a more inspired duet? Babyface and Stansfield's creamy voices are a perfect match, lending dimension to an otherwise familiar slice of pop romance from the soundtrack to The Pagemaster. Track's ballad setting is coated with slick strings and sugary synths that build to a fine climax".[11] Pan-European magazine Music & Media deemed it as a "definition of M.O.R.-type of ballad out of Diane Warren's big songbook".[12] James Hunter from Vibe noted that "the super-engaging Babyface and Lisa Stansfield outdo most big-time duos" on "Dream Away", "singing the praises of the imagination".[13]
