Glen Goldsmith – Dreaming

Released in 1988, “Dreaming” was Glen Goldsmith’s breakthrough recording and one of the most polished examples of British soul-pop from the late 1980s. Written by Jolley and Harris, the song was produced with a sleek, contemporary approach that blended soulful songwriting with the rhythmic sophistication of funk and dance music.

Goldsmith delivers the song with a smooth, expressive vocal, giving the performance a youthful warmth while retaining the confidence of a singer clearly influenced by American soul and R&B. The lyric centres on romantic longing and the desire to be with someone who occupies the singer’s thoughts, giving the track an optimistic yet slightly dreamy quality.

The production is built around a strong bass line, crisp programmed percussion, keyboards and layered backing vocals. Rather than relying on a heavy dance beat, the arrangement allows the groove to breathe, giving Goldsmith plenty of space to showcase his voice. The result is sophisticated without becoming overly complicated, combining the polished sound of 1980s pop with clear influences from soul and funk.

“Dreaming” also helped establish Goldsmith as an artist capable of occupying the space between mainstream pop and contemporary soul. His vocal style, combined with the slick production and infectious melody, gives the song a distinctly late-1980s character.

Today, “Dreaming” remains a particularly enjoyable snapshot of British soul-pop from the period, capturing the era’s fascination with polished electronic production while retaining the warmth and emotion of a traditional love song.

The song peaked at No. 12 in the UK Singles Chart on 16th April 1988.