Livin' Joy 'Dreamer' | The Making Of A Dance Anthem

Janice Robinson, formerly of Livin’ Joy, tells the story of their 1994 No.1 hit, ‘Dreamer’.
Originally released in 1994, it was the following summer that saw ‘Dreamer’ reach No.1 in the UK charts, and go on to become one of the biggest selling records of 1995.
Here, Robinson reflects on how she wrote ‘Dreamer’ on a train journey, as a favour to her boyfriend’s friends, brothers Paolo and Gianni Visandi, who as a trio would later form eurodance group Livin’ Joy.
The song took Robinson from working in retail at GAP and waiting tables to travelling across the world, appearing on TV shows, and visiting the famous Top of the Pops studio. However - Janice refused to sign a contact for a follow up single, stating: “I didn’t want to be owned” and was therefore replaced by Tameko Star.
Despite spending three decades watching others take credit for her biggest hit, Robinson shares how she still has an endless love for 'Dreamer', and the joy it continues to bring.
Electronic music history is rich with unforgettable and timeless classics. In our series, DJ Mag explores the tales behind some of the world's favourite dance tracks, told by the people that made them
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[@DJMag]

What other classics should we add to the series? 👇

[@eurodance89]

Sash! - Ecuador and definitely Three Drives on a Vinyl - Greek 2000

[@PatrikDiamond]

DJ Tonka - She Knows You, Junior Jack, Room 5..

[@angelvillacaqui95AQP]

Tiesto - Lethal Industry

[@J97736]

Don’t stop Movin by Livin Joy

[@PatrikDiamond]

@@DJMag BBE - Steven days and one week

[@janicerobinsonofficial]

Dreamers! I hope you love this interview, we had so much fun! Loads of NEW music is coming, follow for the journey ✨🪩

[@DJMag]

Thanks for telling your story ❤

[@J97736]

Quueeeen

[@IANGDJ]

As mentioned on Facebook, one of my all time top songs, thank you for this track ❤❤

[@tvradioarchive]

❤

[@cuppapablo]

Truly an anthem. I grew up with it and it still hits hard.

[@greggmitchell2392]

One of the greatest dance tracks of the 90s - still a banger in 2024! Give Janice her props

[@bigclivedotcom]

Great job Janice. Good to know it was YOU who wrote and sang that iconic track.

[@SebLeBrox]

Im glad you put Janice to tell the story not the producers.

[@TheBlendSE]

This series is LEGENDARY, all the hits from our youth and their creators! Bless you all!

[@DJMag]

Thank YOU!

[@EDMTips]

I absolutely LOVE this series! 🙌

[@DJMag]

So do we! Many more episodes incoming!

[@EDMTips]

@@DJMag Can't wait! I just broke down Insomnia after being inspired by your interview with Sister Bliss :)

[@Aperfectuber]

​@@DJMag please do now SASH! Ecuador track is great song with a interesting lyrics!

[@MonarchButterfly.]

@@DJMagHi you really should do Egma “Never Gonna Loose Your Love” with Ilse Geels the female singer, that band had that hit on 1993 #1 in France in the Top 50 in Europe

[@DjMonak]

I am Italian, and knowing that that song was composed in my country has a special meaning for me. I was a teenager when that song was released. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making me dance!

[@NB89.]

one of the greatest dance tracks , still rocks the place decades later !

[@benji.B-side]

What a beautiful soul she is, truly she shines bright. She deserved all of the recognition for this total classic. Old songs in the mind, are like looking at old photos, bringing back memories of particular times, people and experiences. Great interview.

[@adolfkudlinski]

I loved this song/album in the 90s .. so energetic and happy :)

[@Adam-os9mw]

Stone cold classic and I'm so very pleased that Janice got what she deserved and didn't get screwed over like so many talented artists through the years. More power to Janice and people fighting their corner. Keep it up ❤

[@djmixnmagic]

This song gave me chills when I first heard it, and was cemented in my soul forever.

[@christopherdieudonne]

Me too !!!!

[@mrroberts2999]

This song is a classic that will never die, Thank you Janice Robinson.

[@chadvanderlinden9548]

What a gorgeous, resilient woman she is! Her music gave me such joy! It's so good to hear her story.

[@jameshollyoak8230]

Amazing uplifting song that instantly takes you to a better place , and Janice looks amazing ❤

[@RegisLAraujo]

Thank you very much for this hymn! I heard this song for the first time in a gay nightclub, in the 90s. At that time I had just come out of the closet, at 24 years old, and lived everything I could, freely, as an openly gay man. This song marked my liberation and I'm so grateful to you for giving us this dancefloor anthem. Happy, contagious, dancing! I still listen to this song to this day!

[@DJMag]

Amazing!

[@Agave310]

One of my favorite tunes as a kid. Still bump it.

[@radientproductions9799]

same , a song you feel in your bones and soul!

[@conleycrew76]

i’m a 51-year-old man who normally listens to thrash metal but I have this song any many others from that era in my iphone!

[@rahimalik]

One of the best songs I ever played in my DJ sets. Thank you DJ Mag and God bless you Janice ❤❤❤ Rahi x

[@daniveiga8941]

THANK YOU Janice for your truth and for keep your artistry alive. We all thank you :)

[@djwalkerfemaledj]

Livin Joy dreamer is a Dance Classic ❤

[@joeyismetoo]

I was 11 and my brother was 9. We went out of our way to learn the lyrics so we could sing along. We spent hours playing video games and re-listening to this over and over. Janice is right, this song connects to so many memories for us British kids. Thank you

[@southlondon86]

Dreamer is one of the best dance tunes I have ever heard. 90s Italian house was unbeatable! Love this video, loved hearing her story. Thank you.

[@DaveD-w3f]

I'm from the UK and grew up in the '90s this was a massive hit such a good song had such a lot of good memories Janice Robinson what a talent!

[@freemansteinslab]

10:27 She's so right! Dreamer is such an important song to so many people! Its part of the soubdtrack of my teens and absolutely is connected intrinsically to precious memories ❤❤❤

[@CosmoComo-k7p]

Thank you Janice for sharing you true story about 'Dreamer' it was an excellent vocal song sung by you! An absolute classic!

[@christopherdieudonne]

5:21 If it's the same person, I knew Marcus Bishop and he worked for DigIt Records International at the time. AND I have the honor of saying I was at the Sound Factory the first time Junior Vasquez played "Dreamer". The place went WILD !!!!!

[@AlonsoGonzalez]

I was 14 that time it came out, and love the Stonebridge vibes it had for that time. I were starting my DJ skills, love that record, still playing it today. Thanks for the truth.. 😘

[@davidcattin7006]

There were so many dance tracks with JOY in them. The soundtrack to my glory years. Thank you! The song was always amazing! You truly brought many people so MUCH joy! Now back to watch your X-factor audition again! Regards from Indiana!

[@juanDiaz-tt6sl]

BRAVO Janice Robinson !!!!

[@subhasmahabir9452]

Such a humble woman

[@HenningUhle]

This song got me through my time at the army from fall 1994 to fall 1995. I remember a monster of a maxi version. I remember all the feelings I had when I went back to the army barracks every fu... Sunday evening. This song means a lot to me. Thank you for this great anthem, Janice.

[@tellerrecords]

Such a classic tune!😍🔥

[@ChantingInTheDark]

We need women like her more than ever.

[@Iwishiwasflying]

Oh man, that song brings back memories and still causes some happy tears for me. I’m 54 now, but damn that song just makes me dance, smile and enjoy things. Thank you Janice ❤

[@CM_1221]

Props to DJMag for the “making of a..” series, incredible idea! This song.. got Dance Mix 95 on cassette for Christmas! Still blasting this in my car 🔥

[@DJMag]

Enjoy!

[@tajmahal8472]

Right! I'm lovin' this series🤗

[@netalysassover2073]

I still hoard the cd single ❤ what a great story Janice Robinson!

[@swartstudio]

FANTASTIC story. I'm so grateful the truth won in the end.

[@tvradioarchive]

Timeless anthem!! ❤

[@churkeosijek2843]

This will always remind me of high school, mid 90's. Sneaking out of my room at night to go clubbing with my friends while my parents were asleep. Whenever this was played, the crowd would go wild. Good old times.

[@robert4287]

!!!!! Probably my Favorite Dance Trak of all time. To hear & see Janice talk about Dreamer WONDERFUL!

[@balboababyvienna2757]

Girl, what a drop-mic-performance at X Factor to represent and own your work. Brought tears to my eyes!

[@tntq13074]

You walked into my heart and are part of the best memories I possess. The night the 19 year old walked into his first gay bar in Providence, RI. I was overwhelmed and slightly terrified, and your voice and your song was playing while the gogo boys were dancing on the boxes. Thank You ❤️

[@Bannersbrokers12]

This song takes me to a place no other song does!!!!!!

[@joelvinson]

Janice is a goddamn legend. Thank you for giving this woman her flowers!

[@fusionsuper]

Janice is absolutely beautiful! And she made more than just a beautiful anthem, Dreamer is a Masterpiece that symbolises the 1990s in a nutshell!

[@Monthy]

Absolutely played the heck out of this song back in 95

[@darbomusic]

Legend. Another classic song ❤🎉

[@polyphonics557]

Thank you so much Janice......gosh you are special.

[@ricflomusic]

Love the story and the fact she gets the tell the story from her perspective.

[@LxUxNxA]

I used to skate at a roller disco when I was about 9 or 10yrs old to this song 🤣 aww ..miss the 90’s!

[@Beckford4000]

1994 when that song exploded, I was an 18 year old, in G.A.Y. nightclub in London when I heard it. I was beginning my coming out journey, dreaming of something better. "Dreamer" was my anthem, it helped me through some very dark moments. Thank you, Janice, for being the voice of hope I needed.

[@damienmorrison7226]

I love love love watching these videos with the singers I was there at and in those times having ....a disco realese to these track ..fantastic times xxxxxx

[@thorpepark1997]

Thank You!!! Love you Janice Robinson & Livin' Joy ... Dreamer is the anthem to my life ❤🎉xxx

[@RoseRinged]

What an icon. ❤️

[@dannyseville2543]

Janice did the vocals for 2 of my all time favourite songs...... Dreamer and Children. Absolute legend of house.

[@dannyseville2543]

By the end of this video you can't have nothing but respect for this lady that just exudes class from every pore.

[@brandonpearce9530]

To the Beat, this Interview really was a fantastic as when you played the track for me way back!

[@milesthehousecollection4153]

This woman deserves all the love she gets. She's sang the vocals on so many house tunes that she didn't get credit for. Sweetest day of May... Children.. And dreamer.

[@houseffectmusic]

Absolute LEGEND!!

[@JohnJohnson-tw8qk]

One of my all time favorite singers and songs and still beautiful gorgeous as ever xxx ❤️❤️❤️

[@derrygowley]

Wow that is an amazing story behind the song, please please get more incredible stories out there !

[@tomers83]

Iconic!! Thanks for that video and that series of videos. Janice you are amazing!

[@DJMag]

You're so welcome!

[@CRAIGTEMPLATEXCHRIST]

ONE OF THE BEST DANCE ANTHEMS OF ALL TIME!!! AMAZING!!!

[@leogotv]

Awesome track. Thanks gor the Flashbacks 🎉❤💪😀

[@Stardateofficial]

Love this !! Congrats Janice!!

[@DaveM-co7up]

I’m so glad to hear the story behind this amazing track, thank you Janice!

[@DJMag]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@cyberjamzradio99]

Awesome piece with meaning. Loving the lyrics,music and everything about this track. Def a dancefloor jam!

[@RandomnessTube.]

As a 40-year-old I want to say thank you loved this track as a kid remember buying a cassette tape just to hear the second single.

[@jayvee2792]

Fark …. What can you say, the song is Solid, Classic, Beautiful, Inspirational and will forever live on 🤍

[@darrenhampton10]

So inspiring, Brava Janice! ❤💜💛

[@WhalesOfWallStreet]

A legend of the World ❤

[@dianaprince323]

I was at the Sound Factory so many nights when this song dropped and it was absolutely unbelievable. Thank you Janice for writing it, telling your story and for bringing so much joy to us all!

[@georgiosa.9893]

We love Janice, and we love Dreamer!! Greetings from Greece!!!

[@georgerivera7193]

Love this song, good for her, this is such a great song and still is to this day

[@zoesen]

Janice, you created a legendary song. May I also express that I LOVE your aesthetics in this interview?! The make up and jewellery complements your beautiful smile and skin tone so well, you’re radiating! Kind regards from Holland

[@stoopidvideoz]

Well done Janice, amazing track, the sound of my youth.

[@biggsweaty]

Very interesting, really well played. I love these

[@DarkAngel-ph9on]

Song is legendary in dance music! Forever classic beautiful woman with an amazing talent.👏🏻👏🏻😍😍😍😍

[@decoherence926]

Love this song. So much energy and memories of the best decade ever!

[@scottybottybanana]

Thank you for this Janice

[@greekmusicetc]

"Also, to live in the hearts of lots of people" So true Janis, we are all dreamers, and a little bit more, because of you 🫶

[@johnmontage3697]

OMGay I feel the love when I watch you Miss Robinson! This song is amazing. I'm Canadian and I never forgot you, THE original Dreamer ❤❤❤

[@TradieTrev]

Thanks Janice for such a wonderful track.

[@robertridings7620]

When this song came out, I had left my hometown to go to college in a big city with nightclubs, something I had never experienced before. They played this song every weekend, and then when Livin' Joy's followup song, "Don't Stop Movin'" came out, they played both songs back-to-back together. I will always think of those two songs as the "anthem" to my college age years and coming out. Such great memories!

[@MyzelleJenkins]

So glad she negotiated and got what was coming to her. Epic track!! 💋

[@CÆSSIUS32]

Absolutely love the chorus and how she delivers those lyrics along with the organ synth

[@LynnSwindlehurst]

This is a beautiful video. An absolute banger of a song and an amazing woman. A timeless dance track.

[@ukbasedhomeland]

Hands down the best "making of a" video on here...

[@cyberjamzradio99]

What a wonderful piece with meaning and powerful lyrics by Janice Robinson. Love it! - Cyberjamz Radio/Records

[@ignazs.5816]

I love these series.....

[@DJMag]

Loads more incoming!

[@joncarlmatthews]

What a great story teller!

[@jojito08]

Que lindoooooooooooooo. All of these shorts are priceless. Thank you for sharing them. I am a trance music producer and gives me goosebumps to hear all their stories, that resound heavily with my personal experience too. Much love from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

[@DJMag]

Thanks for listening

[@nathanacuna]

I have always loved this song! Definitely one of the greatest dance songs ever made. I'm so glad Janice got what was owed to her!

[@NK-dl2nc]

Fantastic! What a tune!

[@casey6933]

Absolutely brilliant story And what an absolutely classic

[@MrMikomi]

90s for the win!!! We were so lucky!!!!!!! 😍😍😍😍

[@DionL22]

One of the best dance music ever made ❤

[@teknoted2576]

This song is awesome! Love dancing to it at the club❤

[@fanstastic83]

I only knew about Don't stop moving until a few years ago, my friend played me Dreamer and it blew my mind away.. Brilliant production and vocals ❤