The music from Dreamgirls is primarily rhythm and blues. This style of music was created by the African Americans during World War II. Rhythm and blues is a combination of different musical styles. It consists of both blues and swing jazz elements as well as various hybrid vocal styles. Blacks created this style of music as a form of expression. During World War II, southern blacks migrated to find better economic and educational opportunities. They wanted to escape the racial oppression and the inequalities that the Jim Crow laws established. The Dreams is a good example of a group who expressed the ideas of Black pride and freedom of expression. They also represent nonconformity because they were successful Black female pop starts. Rhythm and blues was created as a form of Black expression; this is reflected in Dreamgirls because race, gender and family are all themes that are pertinent to the music.
The music from Dreamgirls is based on different R&B acts, specifically the Supremes and Motown. Race is a common theme in the songs from Dreamgirls because it was also a central issue during the ‘60’s. Motown was the first Black group to compete with white-owned companies in the music industry (Burnim and Maultsby 432). Furthermore, in 1964, the Supremes appeared on the Ed. Sullivan Show, which allowed the singing trio to be heard in many American homes. This meant that this Black group could have a White audience (Burnim and Maultsby 439). Since they were now on public television, everyone could see their success. The Supremes and other R&B acts, allowed Blacks to show their Black pride because they showed that Blacks could be as successful as whites. Now, whites were also the consumers of Black music.
This idea of black pride is expressed in some of the songs in Dreamgirls, specifically “Move,”“Dreamgirls” and “One Night Only.” The Dreams sing “Move” in the talent show. This song illustrates determination because the Dreams want to win the contest and become pop starts. One of the phrases even says, “Move, you’re steppin’ on my style.” Another phrase says, “I wanna be so wild.” This shows their willingness to create their own style. Even though this song is referring to a relationship, it also reflects their belief in nonconformity. They want to create their own music; they want to walk their own path independent of what other musicians are doing. In “Dreamgirls,” the female trio is singing about who they are. They are “Dreamgirls” and they can “make you happy.” They can “make your dreams come true and they “will never leave you.” This song indicates the pride that they have in themselves. They are not afraid to sing their hearts out despite the fact that they are Black women. The same sense of pride is also heard in “One Night Only.” Similar to “Move,” this song is also about a relationship; however, it is also about putting your best foot forward and putting all your heart into what you do. One of the phrases, “Something so right has no chance to live, so let’s forget about chances, it’s one night I will give,” signifies this idea. The message is that people should do what they want while they have the chance because chances do not last forever. The Dreams are expressing their eagerness to shine in the spotlight.
The director, Michael Bennett, argues that Dreamgirls is also about family. This theme is reflected in the songs, especially in the “Family.” This song is sung when Curtis, the group’s manager, decides to make Deena the lead singer instead of Effie. Even though Effie does not want this change, Curtis says that it is best for the group to succeed. The phrase, “It is more than you, it is more than me, no matter what we are, we are family,” expresses the importance of family. The dreams that the group has are for the family. Singing in a group means doing what is best for the “family;” it is not about individual wishes. The message is that a family needs to work together. They should care about each other and want what is best for the group. The Dreams need to do whatever they have to in order to gain the most success. Every member of the group is important and it is only when they work together that they will achieve their goal of success.
Since Dreamgirls is about performing in a show, the songs are not unified. They are all rhythm and blues, but they all have different melodies and rhythms. They also communicate different messages because different themes are emphasized. The Dreams’ singles, “Dreamgirls” and “One Night Only” made it to the top of the charts. These were also the songs that expressed Black pride and determination. This indicates that the Dreams were accepted as Black pop starts who were female; this is significant because Black were inferior to whites in the ‘60’s. In addition, men were superior to women. Therefore, the Dreamgirls represent nonconformity and this idea is reflected in the lyrics of their songs.
Works Cited:
Burnim, Mellonee V. and Portia K. Maultsby. African American Music. New York: Taylor and Francis Group, 2006.
