Keeping the Dream Alive

Song written by Stefan Zauner and Aron Strobel.

Freiheit version

The song was originally recorded by the German band Münchener Freiheit (also known as Freiheit internationally) in German as ‘So lang’ man Träume noch leben kann’. The orchestral backing was recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road studios, with Andrew Powell (who co-arranged the music with Zauner and Strobel) directing. It was released on 23 October 1987 as a single from the album ‘Fantasie’, reaching number 2 in the German singles chart, as well as peaking at number 17 in Switzerland.

In 1988, the band recorded the English version called ‘Keeping the Dream Alive’, which became a hit all over Europe. Notably it reached number 14 in the UK singles chart in December 1988. Since then, the song has appeared on many Christmas compilation albums and is often played on the radio in December, even if the song is not about Christmas.

Kim Wilde version

Kim Wilde recorded a cover version of ‘Keeping the dream alive’ for the deluxe edition of Wilde Winter Songbook, which was released in 2015.

Live performances

Prior to the release of the studio recording, Kim performed the song live during her four date tour in the Netherlands in October 2015. She also performed the song live during live dates in December 2015.

Credits

Vocals: Kim Wilde
Keyboards, additional vocals: Ricky Wilde
Backing vocals: Scarlett Wilde
Drums, percussion: Jonathan Atkinson
Strings, string arrangement: Jonathan Atkinson, Tom Atkinson


Lyrics

Tonight the rain is falling
Full of memories of people and places
And while the past is calling
In my fantasy I remember their faces

The hopes we had were much too high
Way out of reach but we have to try
The game will never be over
Because we’re keeping the dream alive

I hear myself recalling
Things you said to me
The night it all started
And still the rain is falling
Makes me feel the way
I felt when we parted

The hopes we had were much too high
Way out of reach but we have to try
No need to hide no need to run
‘Cause all the answers come one by one
The game will never be over
Because we’re keeping the dream alive

I need you
I love you

The game will never be over
Because we’re keeping the dream alive

The hopes we had were much too high
Way out of reach but we have to try
No need to hide no need to run
‘Cause all the answers come one by one

Keeping the dream alive
Keeping the dream alive
Keeping the dream alive
Keeping the dream alive