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"A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" is a song written and composed by Mack David, Al Hoffman, and Jerry Livingston for the 1950 Disney animated feature film Cinderella.

In the song, Cinderella (Ilene Woods) encourages her animal friends to never give up on their dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem, and that theme continues throughout the entire story.

The song was nominated for AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs, as one of 15 from Disney and one of 17 from an animated movie to be nominated. The ones that eventually made the cut were: "When You Wish Upon A Star" (#7), "Some Day My Prince Will Come" (#19), "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (#36), "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah (#47), "Beauty and the Beast" (#62), and "Hakuna Matata" (#99).

It is also heavily featured in the opening and ending of Ignite the Dream: A Nighttime Spectacular of Magic and Light in Shanghai Disneyland and Disney Illuminations in Disneyland Paris. It was also featured as exit music of Disneyland's fireworks show Magical: Disney's New Nighttime Spectacular of Magical Celebrations.

In Disney's Greatest Lullabies Volume 2, the reprise of this song features scenes from Cinderella, Fun and Fancy Free, Fantasia, Mary Poppins, and Wynken, Blynken and Nod.

Summary[]

In the song, Cinderella explains that when someone is asleep, their deepest desires and dreams take over. In this state, one can let go of any heartache they normally face. Dreams are a magical place where anything is possible, and if one believes in their dreams, anything could happen. The feeling of hope is crucial to the song, and it is emphasized that no matter how much your heart is hurting, as long as you keep believing, your dream will come true. The song then moves on to Cinderella's frustration with the clock and orders that are shouted at her on a daily basis. However, despite the daily struggles, she remains hopeful that someday her dreams will become a reality.

Lyrics[]

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're fast asleep
In dreams, you will lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for, you keep
Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling through
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true

(speaking)
Oh, that clock!
Old killjoy.
I hear you! "Come on, get up," you say!
"Time to start another day!"
Even he orders me around.
Well, there's one thing.
They can't order me to stop dreaming.
And perhaps someday...

(continues singing)
The dreams that I wish
Will come true

(hum verse with birds and mice tweeting and humming along)
La-da-da-da-da-da-da-da
La-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da
Hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm-hmmm-hmm-hmm-hmm
La-da-la-da-da-da-da-da-dee
Hmm-mm-hm-mm-mm-hmm-hmm-hmm
La-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-dee
La-da-da-da-daaa-da-da-da
Hmm-hmm-hmm-hm-hmm-hmm-hm-hmm

No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish
Will come true

Have faith in dreams, and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling through
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true

When I was a little girl
My father used to say
If trouble ever troubles you
Just dream your cares away

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you’re fast asleep
In dreams you will lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for you keep
Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling through
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're fast asleep
In dreams, you will lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for, you keep

Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling through
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're feeling small
Alone, in the night you whisper
Thinking no one can hear you at all

You wake with the morning sunlight
To find fortune that is smiling on you
Don't let your heart be filled with sorrow
For all you know tomorrow
The dream that you wish will come true

A dream is a wish your heart makes
A dream is a wish your heart makes
You wake with the morning sunlight
To find fortune that is smiling on you

Don't let your heart be filled with sorrow
For all you know tomorrow
The dream that you wish will come true
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true

(Feel your dream!)

A dream is a wish your heart makes (Yeah!)
When you're fast asleep (In your dreams!)
In dreams, you lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for, you keep (Oh! You know you gotta have faith!)
Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come shining through (See it shining!)
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true

(Make your wish!)
(Find your dream! Come on!)
(Make your wish!)
(You gotta dream! Come on!)

So if you have a dream
And believe with all your heart
Then make a wish and watch the magic start

Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come shining through
No matter how your heart is grieving (How your heart is grieving!)
If you keep on believing (Just keep on believing!)
The dream that you wish (Yes the dream!)
Whatever you wish (Yes the dream!)
Yes the dream that you wish will come true

(Make your wish!)
(Find your dream!)
(Make your wish!)
(Find your dream!)

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're fast asleep
In dreams, you will lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for, you keep
Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling through
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're fast asleep
In dreams, you will lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for, you keep
Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling through
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're fast asleep
In dreams, you will lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for, you keep
Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling through
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true

Other appearances[]

The Mickey Mouse Club (1955)[]

Mickey plays a piano version during his introduction sequence to Tuesday's "Guest Star Day".

Disneyland Hotel[]

The song plays when guests enter their hotel room at the Disneyland Hotel whenever they press a nearby switch when ready to go to sleep that activates the fireworks and the stars below their bed which features the Sleeping Beauty Castle at night.

Cinderella (2015)[]

In this version, it is sung by Lily James, and appears during the end credits of the film.

Twice Charmed[]

The song appears in the Spin-off musical, aboard Disney Cruise Line's Disney Magic, sung by the Company. It serves as the show's finale, as the Prince and Cinderella get remarried.

Steps in Time[]

A Latin jazz version sung by Eden Espinosa served as the opening number in the former Hyperion Theater show, Steps in Time. The song, including multiple remixes, has found life in countless Disney events thereafter. It was featured at the grand opening of the Magical Moments Festival, as well as Disneyland's Grad Nite 2006-2009 and California Adventure's New Years Celebration 2006-2009. Alternative tracks without Eden's vocals also showed up at the 2015 Walt Disney Legacy Awards and the finale of Mickey's Showtime.

A pop arrangement was used for Grad Nite 2010, as well as Disneyland's 56th through 59th birthday celebrations. A rock arrangement has been used at Disneyland's Grad Nite from 2011 and California Adventure's Grad Nite 2013 up to the present, though it is usually played in part. Lastly, the Disneyland All-American College Band has performed an instrumental version every summer from 2007 to 2018.

Mickey Mouse[]

Mickey and Minnie sang this song while Mickey was dreaming in the episode, The Perfect Dream.

Disney Legends 2011 Ceremony[]

Jodi Benson, Paige O'Hara, Anika Noni Rose, and Lea Salonga sang the song together during the ceremony.

Sneakerella[]

El and Kira sang this song in a dream sequence at the gala.

Choo-Choo Soul with Genevieve

In 2012, in one episode of season 2 of Choo-Choo Soul (titled "Choo-Choo Soul: Disney Favorites), Genevieve Goings sings a reimagined version of this song.

Gallery[]

Videos[]

Trivia[]

  • Ilene Woods suffered from Alzheimer's disease during the final years of her life. Eventually, the disease affected her memory to the point that she no longer remembered playing Cinderella, but nurses claimed she found listening to "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" very comforting, so they played it for her as often as possible.

External links[]

v - e - d
Cinderella logo
Media
Films: Cinderella (video/soundtrack) • Cinderella II: Dreams Come True (video) • Cinderella III: A Twist in Time (video/soundtrack) • Cinderella (2015 film) (video/soundtrack)

Shows: A Poem Is...Chibi Tiny Tales
Video Games: Disney Princess (video game)Cinderella's DollhouseCinderella: Magical DreamsDisney Princess: Enchanted JourneyKingdom Hearts Birth by SleepDisney InfinityDisney Princess: My Fairytale AdventureDisney Magical WorldCinderella Free FallDisney Emoji Blitz
Books: Royal WeddingsDisney Princess Beginnings
Cancelled projects: Cinderella Stories
Albums: The Lost Chords: Cinderella

Disney Parks
Castle of Magical DreamsCinderella's Fairy Tale HallCinderella CastleCinderella Castle Mystery TourDisney Animation BuildingFairy Tale ForestIt's a Small WorldMickey Mouse RevuePrince Charming Regal CarrouselPrincess PavilionStorybook Land Canal Boats

Entertainment: Cinderella's Surprise CelebrationCinderellabration: Lights of RomanceDisney's BelieveDisney Dreams: An Enchanted ClassicDream Along with MickeyFantasmic!Mickey and the MagicianMickey and the Wondrous BookMickey's Gift of DreamsMickey's Magical CelebrationMickey's Magical Music WorldOne Man's Dream II: The Magic Lives On!Royal Princess Music CelebrationThe Starlit Princess WaltzTwice Charmed: An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story
Restaurants: Cinderella's Royal Table
Shops: Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
Parades: Celebrate A Dream Come True ParadeDisney's Dreams On Parade: Moving OnDisney's FantillusionDisney's Magical Moments ParadeDisney's Party ExpressDisney Carnivale ParadeDisney on ParadeDisney Stars on ParadeDreaming Up!Festival of Fantasy ParadeFlights of Fantasy ParadeHappiness is Here ParadeJubilation!Magic HappensMain Street Electrical ParadeMickey's Rainy Day ExpressMickey's Soundsational ParadePaint The Night ParadeSpectroMagicThe Wonderful World of Disney ParadeVillains Cursed CaravanNightfall Glow • Minnie's Tiara of Dreams
Fireworks: Disney EnchantmentDisney in the StarsFantasy in the SkyMagic, Music and MayhemMagical: Disney's New Nighttime Spectacular of Magical CelebrationsMomentousOnce Upon a TimeRemember... Dreams Come TrueWishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney DreamsWonderful World of AnimationWondrous Journeys
Spring: Disney Pirate or Princess: Make Your Choice
Summer: Club Mouse BeatMickey's WaterWorks
Halloween: Disney Villains Wicked GatheringFrightfully Fun ParadeHocus Pocus Villain SpelltacularIt's Good to be Bad with the Disney VillainsMickey's Boo-to-You Halloween ParadeVillains Dance Party
Christmas: A Christmas Fantasy ParadeCinderella's Holiday WishDisney Winter Magic CavalcadeRoyal Christmas Wishes

Characters
Original: CinderellaJaq and GusPerla and SuzyMiceBirdsPrince CharmingFairy GodmotherBrunoMajorCinderella's FatherLady TremaineAnastasia TremaineDrizella TremaineLuciferThe KingThe Grand DukeHeraldMaryRoyal Guards

Sequels: Pom-PomPrudenceBeatrice and DaphneCountess Le GrandeThe BakerFlower VendorThe Queen
Remake: Cinderella's MotherLizard FootmenMr. GooseCaptainTown CrierSir Francis Tremaine
Deleted: JabberProfessor LeFoofSpink

Locations
Cinderella's CastleCinderella's ChâteauVillageKing's Castle
Objects
Glass SlipperPumpkinPumpkin CoachMagic WandCinderella's Dress
Songs
Films: CinderellaA Dream is a Wish Your Heart MakesSing, Sweet NightingaleWork Song (Cinderelly, Cinderelly)Bibbidi-Bobbidi-BooSo This is LovePut It TogetherFollow Your HeartThe World Is Looking Up to YouIt's What's Inside That CountsPerfectly PerfectMore Than a DreamI DoAt the BallI Still BelieveLavender's BlueStrong

Deleted: Dancing on a CloudThe Cinderella Work SongThe Face That I See in the NightThe Dress That My Mother WoreSing a Little, Dream a LittleI'm in the Middle of a MuddleThe Mouse SongI Lost My Heart At the Ball
Twice Charmed: All Because of a ShoeIt's Never Too LateIn a MomentBelieve in Me
Miscellaneous: The Art of Dressing Well

See also
As Told by Emoji


v - e - d
Disney's Mickey Mouse - 2013 TV Series Logo
Media
Mickey MouseThe Wonderful World of Mickey MouseWhere's My Mickey?Comic bookWhere's My Mickey? XLMickey Mouse (Music from the Disney Mickey Mouse Shorts)
Disney Parks
The AnnexMickey and Minnie's Runaway RailwayMove It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street PartyVacation FunWorld of Color: CelebrateWe Love Mickey!

Fireworks: Wonderful World of Animation

Characters
Main: Mickey MouseMinnie MouseDonald DuckDaisy DuckGoofyPluto

Supporting: YetiMickey's ScooterHorace HorsecollarGubblesCatBaby PandaClara CluckGhoulyPeteLudwig Von DrakeScrooge McDuckClarabelle CowMr. JohnsonGrandma GoofyMinnie's ScooterJosé CariocaPanchito PistolesChip 'n' DaleSleepyDocBashfulHappyGrumpyDopeySneezyForest AnimalsHuey, Dewey, and LouieThe OrphansPiñatas BandidasPamplona BullsRoad HogsGiant SquidMortimer MouseThe Three Little PigsBig Bad WolfThe Evil QueenFlamingo Maitre'dGus GooseSanta ClausChernabog and his minionsBeagle BoysSpike the BeeEricaMartian RobotMorty and Ferdie FieldmousePluto's AngelPluto's DevilMuscular KangarooPiggyWeaselsHouse of TomorrowButch the BulldogMerlinUrsulaParrotLonesome GhostsFairy GodmotherBlue FairyJiminy CricketThe Magic MirrorMelvin, Buff, and Max
Cameos: Prince CharmingCinderellaCasey JuniorWalt DisneyOswald the Lucky RabbitWillie the WhaleLadyTrampPeter PigPaddy Pig • Unnamed Dog • BelleBeastGyro GearlooseGlut the SharkKing LouieFlunkeyBandar-logBuzzy, Flaps, Ziggy, and DizzySnow WhiteGeppettoPinocchioTeenagersPhantom BlotThe Headless HorsemanDirty BillHumphrey the BearMary PoppinsThumperBambiJafarRajaMartian MastermindDumboThe CrowsSkeletonsThree Little WolvesElmer ElephantTillie TigerMax HareToby TortoiseBambi's motherOrtensiaYen SidTimothy Q. MouseRhino GuardsMaleficent’s GoonsLady KluckMadam MimAlan-A-DaleMother RabbitSkippyFriar TuckOttoSir HissTriggerFlounderAracuan BirdFlitMadame UpanovaDapper DansFlora, Fauna, and MerryweatherJ. Thaddeus ToadCheshire CatVulturesJoeJennyFriend OwlBucky BugFlowers of WonderlandAliceTiggerWillie the GiantClopinGroguR2-D2Kermit the FrogChuubySusie the Little Blue CoupeIchabod CraneTilda

Episodes
Mickey Mouse

Season 1: "No Service" • "Yodelberg" • "Croissant de Triomphe" • "New York Weenie" • "Tokyo Go" • "Stayin' Cool" • "Gasp!" • "Panda-monium" • "Bad Ear Day" • "Ghoul Friend" • "Dog Show" • "O Sole Minnie" • "Potatoland" • "Sleepwalkin'" • "Flipperboobootosis" • "Tapped Out" • "Third Wheel" • "The Adorable Couple"
Season 2: "Cable Car Chaos" • "Fire Escape" • "Eau de Minnie" • "O Futebol Clássico" • "Down the Hatch" • "Goofy's Grandma" • "Captain Donald" • "Mumbai Madness" • "The Boiler Room" • "Space Walkies" • "Mickey Monkey" • "Clogged" • "Goofy's First Love" • "Doggone Biscuits" • "Workin' Stiff" • "Al Rojo Vivo" • "Bottle Shocked" • "A Flower for Minnie" • "Bronco Busted"
Season 3: "Coned!" • "One Man Band" • "Wish Upon a Coin" • "Movie Time" • "Shifting Gears" • "Black and White" • "­­¡Feliz Cumpleaños!" • "Wonders of the Deep" • "Road Hogs" • "No" • "Roughin' It" • "Dancevidaniya" • "Couple Sweaters" • "Turkish Delights" • "Sock Burglar" • "Ku'u Lei Melody" • "Entombed" • "No Reservations" • "Split Decision" • "Good Sports"
Season 4: "Swimmin' Hole" • "Canned" • "Touchdown and Out" • "Locked in Love" • "Bee Inspired" • "Shipped Out" • "Three-Legged Race" • "Nature's Wonderland" • "The Birthday Song" • "The Perfect Dream" • "Feed the Birds" • "Carnaval" • "Year of the Dog" • "The Fancy Gentleman" • "New Shoes" • "Springtime" • "Dumb Luck" • "Flushed!" • "Roll 'em"
Season 5: "Amore Motore" • "A Pete Scorned" • "House Painters" • "Surprise!" • "Hats Enough" • "Safari, So Good" • "For Whom the Booth Tolls" • "Outta Time" • "My Little Garden" • "You, Me and Fifi" • "Outback at Ya!" • "Our Homespun Melody" • "Over the Moon" • "Easy Street" • "Two Can't Play" • "Our Floating Dreams" • "Gone to Pieces" • "Carried Away"
Specials: "Duck the Halls: A Mickey Mouse Christmas Special" • "The Scariest Story Ever: A Mickey Mouse Halloween Spooktacular"
The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse
Season 1: "Cheese Wranglers" • "House of Tomorrow" • "Hard to Swallow" • "School of Fish" • "Keep on Rollin'" • "The Big Good Wolf" • "The Brave Little Squire" • "An Ordinary Date" • "Supermarket Scramble" • "Just the Four of Us" • "Houseghosts" • "The Enchanting Hut" • "Duet for Two" • "Birdwatching" • "Bellboys" • "I Heart Mickey" • "Untold Treasures" • "Disappearing Act" • "Once Upon an Apple" • "Game Night"
Season 2: "The Wonderful Winter of Mickey Mouse" • "The Wonderful Spring of Mickey Mouse" • "The Wonderful Summer of Mickey Mouse" • "The Wonderful Autumn of Mickey Mouse" • "Steamboat Silly"

Locations
Snack ShackCafe MinniePatisserie Daisy

Places in the World: Paris, FranceNew York City, New YorkTokyo, JapanBeijing, ChinaVenice, ItalyIdahoSan Francisco, CaliforniaBrazilIndiaPamplona, SpainMonacoLondon, EnglandMexicoMoscow, RussiaTurkeyHawaiiEgyptKorea
Allusions to Disneyland: Matterhorn BobsledsIt's a Small WorldMain Street Electrical ParadeKing Arthur CarrouselThe Haunted MansionGreat Moments with Mr. LincolnSpace MountainRocket to the MoonMine Train Through Nature's Wonderland

Songs
The Adorable CoupleHappy Birthday, Mickey Mouse • Jing-A-Ling-A-Ling • I'm AliveSwimmin' HoleOur Homespun MelodyCarried AwayNothing Can Stop Us NowBubblegum Days and Cotton Candy NightsDuet for TwoYodelbergPua Nani ĒTop of the WorldMumbai MadnessSpringtime SymphonyIsland RhythmFeelin' the LoveSummer VacationSweet Summer JamsThe Fall SongA Shooting StarHilltop Hootenanny


v - e - d
Sneakerella Logo
Media
Sneakerella (soundtrack)
Characters
El MoralesKira KingSamiGustavoTreyZellyStacyDarius KingLiv KingDenise KingRosie MoralesMrs. Singh
Locations
New York CityEl-evateKing6
Songs
KicksBest EverIn Your ShoesWork UpLife is What You Make ItA Dream Is a Wish Your Heart MakesPerfect FitShut It DownFinaleFly Higher
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