Our obsession with The Marsh Family seems to grow with every listen! Last year, we featured the talented unit as they created a space of support and togetherness with the vibrant and charming single, The Bubble Song, so naturally, we were keen to explore their latest offering, a cover of Keeping the Dream Alive, originally by Münchener Freiheit in 1988!
For some context, the lyrics of the song reflect on memories that resurface during a rainy night. Through the prose, the rain brings back faces, places and emotions from the past. The family shares how they feel notions of both nostalgia and longing. Even though the hopes once shared were unrealistic, they still mattered, and the memories keep the connection alive. This message actually feels very zeitgeist, and we can understand why The Marsh Family decided to release this cover.
Keeping the Dream Alive is also a song about perseverance. The concept of the “game” is life, love, and a shared dream. Even when things might end or fall apart, the dream continues as long as we hold onto it. We learn that patience is a virtue, and “keeping the dream alive” gives meaning and hope to our shared existence.
As for the soundscape, we are enamoured by the layered power-pop vocal harmonies, luscious and awe inspiring. The delicate performances of the verses with intricate guitar accompaniment are sublime and the orchestral nuances add a whimsical edge to the composition.
It almost feels like this would be a perfect addition to the Wicked movie franchise. There is an escapist sentiment, and theatrical nuance that comes to life. We learn that Keeping the Dream Alive is also a charity single. The track raises money for Tiny Toes, a neonatal charity in East Kent.
Naturally, we are in awe, and have added Keeping the Dream Alive to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of The Marsh Family, and anticipate future releases!