I Can Dream About You by Dan Hartman

It’s 80’s Thursday at justadailysong.com, and today’s pick is a track that feels like it should have been twice as big as it was: I Can Dream About You by Dan Hartman. Released in 1984 and memorably featured in the film Streets of Fire, this song is a prime slice of slick, mid-80s pop-soul — all shimmering synths, tight rhythm, and a chorus built to echo in your head for days.

Dan Hartman might not be a household name today, but he was quietly everywhere in the late 70s and 80s. A multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer, he worked behind the scenes with acts like Edgar Winter and later penned and produced tracks for others, often ceding the spotlight while shaping the sound of the era. I Can Dream About You is one of the rare moments where his voice, writing, and production met in the same spotlight — and the result is a timeless radio gem.

“I can dream about you / If I can’t hold you tonight…”

There’s a bittersweet ache buried under its polished surface: that feeling of distance, of loving someone you can’t quite reach, wrapped in an arrangement that still makes you want to move. It’s the kind of 80s track that belongs on every late-night drive playlist.

Listen now to our song of the day, and if this hidden gem hits you the way it hits us, show your love for music and share justadailysong.com with your friends.