Just Dream

Background

The single was released as a one-off single from Decker and Rogers, who both wrote the majority of T'Pau's material. After successfully pursuing separate careers in performing, writing and production, Decker and Rogers had begun writing together again, culminating in the release of "Just Dream". This was following a 15-year break, partly connected to the breakdown of their own 13-year relationship. The song was Decker's first release of new material since the 1998 T'Pau album Red, which was Decker's own re-formation of the original group who split in 1991. Ashurst, who was involved with producing "Just Dream", had worked with Decker previously on the Red album. It was Decker's first single release as a solo artist since 1995's "One Heart", which had peaked at #130 in the UK. "Just Dream" was released to coincide with T'Pau's 20th anniversary, however was not a commercial success.

For This is not Retro, Decker was interviewed in September 2007. The first question asked "You haven't released a solo single since "One Heart" in 1995, so what were the circumstances behind you wanted to do "Just Dream" under your own name this time around?" Decker replied "I have always wanted to use Carol Decker as I feel that T'Pau was the 6 of us back then but that's over. Since then I was persuaded - against my better judgement - to continue to use the name as it was a known brand..." When asked if it is a relief to drop the T'Pau name, Decker stated "Yes it is. It means a lot to me to not appear to be trying to hang on to something that was from a long time ago."

Decker was asked "How important is it that the single is a commercial success? Do you have any particular expectations or ambitions for the project?" Decker responded "I would love it to be a commercial success but I doubt it will be... that's not to say I don't think the track is good, I think it's great, but I don't have the financial muscle of a big company behind me any more so it is really difficult to actually let people know that the music is out there. I certainly want to try though!" When asked about more solo material, Decker stated "Absolutely. In fact I have a new idea for something as we speak!" She was also asked about a tour, and she stated "Yes, but it would be after I have a reasonable amount of new tracks to add to the set, to make it more interesting for all of us!"

When asked was it intentional for the song to sound different compared to previous T'Pau material, but still maintain Decker's unique sound, Decker stated "No... I just sound like me, whatever I do but we did have this great contemporary feel to the backing..." Additionally, she was asked if there were any plans for full dance treatment remixes of the song. She stated "It would be nice if someone from that genre approached me with an idea... to be completely honest I wouldn't have a clue!"

In a 2007 interview with Johnny Ikon, Decker revealed that for the future she wished to continue working on music with Rogers, and touring for as long as she can. She stated "By October each year, touring slows down and I just don't ever want to sing again, then two weeks in the studio and cabin fever sets in and I'm dying to perform the new stuff!" Decker also revealed that following the "Just Dream" single, along with the 2008 download-only single "Don't Stop Believin'" by Decker and Lazy Grace, an extended play was being created that she and Rogers were working on. When Ikon asked what will follow that, Decker revealed the idea for a full album.

Writing and Recording

Before the song's release, a video was issued featuring both Decker and Rogers talking about the upcoming single. In the video, Decker stated "I love T'Pau's legacy, it's a privilege to get out and sing those songs, but there's a certain musical expectation we feel if according to T'Pau, and "Just Dream" is a very different track." Decker also spoke of working with Rogers again, "We always were very comfortable in the studio together so it's nice to come back to that." Rogers added "That's right. We've had ideas knocking around, which we've talked about using and stuff, and just got it together recently, and it's fantastic, good fun." Decker finally added "This isn't a big reforming or reunion of the original line-up of T'Pau at all. We don't want to revisit that."

In regards to the song's lyrics, Decker revealed "The inspiration for the lyrics on this song "Just Dream" were that hinterland as you just fall asleep and you just wake up." When talking about the song's creation and production, Decker commented "Basically what we did was, Ronnie and I and Jez, who engineered and helped produce it, we just emailed each other. You don't actually have to even get together, you just email an idea and it gets popped on the track, and emailed back to you to listen to in a nanosecond." Rogers added "We're all working independently and it's all coming together via the web and the emails and stuff. It's quite weird really isn't it?" Decker finally noted "The great side of the internet and modern technology is that we've got a fantastic song, and we can record it and we can put it out."

In a 4 September 2007 article by the Shropshire Star, it was revealed the pair had rekindled their musical partnership earlier in the year after Rogers had contacted Decker while he was working on new material in his home-studio. He stated "I had a basic idea for Just Dream and asked Carol if she could add anything to it. We now live 100 miles apart so we get together as often as possible and keep in touch via the internet, which is made even easier now that Carol has her own Myspace page."

Release

The single was issued via Gnatfish Records as a download-only release. It was largely distributed through sites such as iTunes and Amazon. The release featured just the one track, whilst artwork was created, featuring a close-up photograph of Decker.

In the 2007 This is not Retro interview, Decker was asked whether the increasing way of releasing material whenever it is ready via downloading instead of the usual single and album formats was a more appealing way of working for her. She stated "It suits me as it is my best option; I can do precisely what I want, but it needs to be heard and it needs to be sold, just so I can survive."

In the 2007 Shropshire Star article, Rogers had noted that he and Decker had embraced the internet and had bypassed traditional record labels, as the internet now allowed the artists to oversee every aspect of the single's release themselves. He stated "The idea of a download-only single is to keep the whole process as creative as possible. We are in control, right down to the single cover shot."

Promotion

No music video was created to promote the single.

Decker appeared on the UK TV show 'This Morning' and mimed the song with a group of backing musicians. Since being unofficially uploaded onto YouTube in August 2007, the performance has gained over 45,000 views. In addition, a three-minute video was released with both Decker and Rogers talking about the upcoming single. This video also contained footage of Decker recording the song's vocal.

Decker promoted the song through TV and Radio Channels, as well as through MySpace. In the 2007 This is not Retro interview, Decker was asked if it had been empowering to be able to connect directly with her audience via MySpace and other social internet sites. Decker stated "Yes, and very tiring! It is a direct line to the public and as such you get really honest feedback and suggestions from people... you also get some freakin' nutters bombarding you with crap!"

Track listing

1. "Just Dream" - 3:22

Critical reception

In the 2007 This is not Retro interview with Decker, the interviewer had stated "When I first heard "Just Dream" it started off by sounding totally different to what I was expecting, but by the end I was going 'Of course... it couldn't be anyone but Carol Decker', which is a good trick I think! There's a real dancey-club sheen to the song, particularly at the beginning... it sounds like the track could be given the full dance remix treatment."

Personnel