The Dreamstone - Soundtrack

Soundtrack

The show was notable for its musical score, which is practically unique among cartoons in that it was performed by a full-size professional orchestra, namely the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The score, by Mike Batt, was heavily characterised by the use of leitmotifs and thematic variations, particularly on the two main songs used in the series, Better than a Dream (characterising the good characters) and War Song of the Urpneys (characterising the evil characters).

Ozzy Osbourne, Frank Bruno, and Billy Connolly provided lead vocals on The War Song of the Urpneys single and album track, although the version heard in the series was largely sung by composer Mike Batt. Other artists who sang for The Dreamstone soundtrack included Bonnie Tyler, who recorded a duet with Mike entitled Into The Sunset. This song was supposed to be used as the show's official love song (especially towards Rufus and Amberley) but it was never used. Plus Joe Brown performed The Vile Brothers Mountain Band, which was used on the show, during the episode Albert Is Fishnapped. Gary Glitter was also involved with the recording.

The TV version of Better Than A Dream contained some different lyrics to the version included on the soundtrack. The TV version mostily reflected Rufus' personality, with the lyrics 'I always dream myself to somewhere else each night' and 'I know I dream much more than other people do'. The soundtrack version contained 'I used to dream myself to someone else each night' and 'Until I chanced upon this road that led to you', among a few other changes that were made to the song. Mike Batt also re-recorded the chorus, used in the ending credits from the latter part of Series 1 onwards till Series 4 in which was then shortened. In 2012, Katie Melua released a version of 'Better Than A Dream'. Mike Batt, is her current manager.

The soundtrack has just recentily been re-released as part of the Mike Batt Music Cube released in December 2009 by Dramatico Records. However instead of the TV soundtrack, the CD features 5 newily recorded orchestrial overtures, as well as Better Than A Dream, The War Song of the Urpneys and Into the Sunset and a shorter version of The Dreamdance which also omits the vocal clips from the show. The Vile Brothers Mountain Band was also omitted from the soundtrack, probably very likely to do with recent events involving Gary Glitter's personal life.

TV soundtrack album listing (original release):

  1. Better Than A Dream - Mike Batt (3:04)
  2. The War Song Of The Urpneys - Billy Connolly, Ozzy Osbourne and Frank Bruno (4:44)
  3. Dreamdance (Theme From The Dreamstone) (10:07)
  4. Into The Sunset - Mike Batt and Bonnie Tyler (3:28)
  5. The Vile Bros Mountain Band - Joe Brown and Gary Glitter (4:19)
  6. The Dreamstone (Main Title) (2:10)
  7. Wack's Wicks Works (2:15)
  8. The Dream Maker (6:11)
  9. Whirlyped Launch (5:21)
  10. The Dreamstone Is Stolen (6:20)
  11. The Argorribles And The Egg Of Death (6:48)
  12. Rufus Succeeds (5:20)

TV soundtrack album listing (Music Cube re-release):

  1. Better Than A Dream - Mike Batt (3:08)
  2. The War Song of the Urpneys - Billy Connolly, Ozzy Osbourne and Frank Bruno (4:47)
  3. Dreamdance (Edited Version) (4:53)
  4. Into The Sunset - Mike Batt and Bonnie Tyler (3:32)
  5. Dreamstone Overture no.1 (6:57)
  6. Dreamstone Overture no.2 (4:48)
  7. Dreamstone Overture no.3 (5:31)
  8. Dreamstone Overture no.4 (4:49)
  9. Dreamstone Overture no.5 (4:03)
  • This is not the only track to be called Dreamstone Overture no.5. On the 'Better Than A Dream' 7 inch vinyl and CD single versions, there's another track entitled 'Dreamstone Overture no.5', this version is different from the Music Cube re-release, in which it's actually an orchestral version of 'Into The Sunset' while the Dreamstone Overtures on the Music Cube re-release are small selections of orchestral tracks from the original TV series, half used in few episodes in Season 3 and 4. The 'Dreamstone Overture no.5' that was present on the single ran for 6:48.

Currently the music cube re-released version of the soundtrack is available to download in Mp3 format from Amazon's UK website.

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