It was written by Gabrielle and Tim Laws and produced by Richie Fermie for her debut studio album, Find Your Way (1993).

"I don’t think Gabs had been in a studio before and I’m pretty sure Dreams was only her second ever recorded vocal, after the duet she did earlier with the other girl.

[3] Shortly after, Gabrielle and another singer, Jackie King from the club, got an opportunity to make a record in a studio in Byfleet, Surrey.

The singer then performed the lyrics of "Dreams" over Laws' music which was a backing track, using a Korg M1 synthesiser for most of the parts – piano, bass, string line – with an Akai S900 firing off drum loops and hits.

"[6] Larry Flick from Billboard described the song as a "gloriously romantic, uplifting pop/dance shuffler" with a "wildly infectious chorus, delivered with a sly, feline grace."

He commented further that a "interplay of contrasting elements like acoustic strumming, hip-hop-styled beats, and disco strings works surprisingly well".

[7] Tom Ewing of Freaky Trigger noted Gabrielle's voice as "soaked in personality" and complimented the production as "reassuringly professional, very close to the kind of powerpoint soul the Lighthouse Family would serve up later in the 90s.

"[8] Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report felt that the singer's "warm vocal style is just right to complement the hook-laden melody that she co-wrote.

[13] Alan Jones from Music Week said about the original 1992 release, "The soothing and gentle guitar intro to Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" underpins this superbly soulful dance cut, written and performed by a 22-year-old newcomer from Sydenham.

He added, "Initially on a limited pressing of 1,500, which have now sold out, this is already getting specialist radio play, and could very easily explode as a major pop hit, given adequate distribution.

"[15] Marts Andrups from the Record Mirror Dance Update declared it as "a stunning debut with "summer hit" written all over it.

Like a funky Tracy Chapman, there's a beautiful soul vocal over a deceptively simple acoustic guitar and string arrangement.

"[16] Siân Pattenden from Smash Hits gave "Dreams" four out of five, writing, "If you're a big girl and like soulful swishdance music, this'll be in your in-car CD player for 1,000 years.