Dreamhouse (band)

Lore & Background

David Riley, a native of Jamaica, collaborated on remixes with artists such as R. Kelly and Fu Schnickens. Jules Tulley worked as a session musician and television presenter, while vocalist/songwriter Paul Barry had been active in the music industry since the late 1970s, having been in the band the Questions. The trio met in a London recording studio, formed Dreamhouse, and were signed to Trauma Records. Their self-titled debut album mixed dance-oriented covers of 1960s pop songs with original compositions rooted in reggae. The group's rendition of 'Stay', originally a 1960 number-one song by Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, was released as a UK single in 1997 and reached number 62 on the UK Singles Chart. The following year, 'Stay' was released in the US as the album's lead single. The Asian release of their album contains more tracks than the Europe/US version, including the song 'Sha La La' (originally by the Walkers) plus two mixes of that song, a mix of 'Let's Live for Today' (originally by the Rokes), and the two extra tracks 'Walk Like a Man' (originally by the Four Seasons) and 'Lightnin' Bar Blues' (originally by Hoyt Axton).

Reader's Guide

Dreamhouse occupies a modest but distinct place in late-1990s dance/pop history, primarily for their cover of 'Stay', which achieved minor chart success in the UK. Their album, released in different versions across Asia and the West, reflects a trend of tailoring releases to regional markets. The group's significance is also tied to the later careers of its members: Paul Barry went on to co-write major hits including 'Believe' by Cher, 'Hero' and 'Bailamos' by Enrique Iglesias, and 'Let It Go' by James Bay; Jules Tulley joined the Eurodance country group Rednex under the name Scarlet. These post-Dreamhouse achievements lend the group a legacy as a stepping stone for notable music industry figures. Their work, blending 1960s covers with reggae-influenced originals, exemplifies the cross-genre experimentation of the era.

Did You Know?

• David Riley, a member of Dreamhouse, was a native of Jamaica and collaborated on remixes with R. Kelly and Fu Schnickens.
• The group's single 'Stay' reached number 62 on the UK Singles Chart in 1997.
• The Asian release of the album includes extra tracks like 'Sha La La' and 'Walk Like a Man'.

Formation & Member Backgrounds

Dreamhouse came together through the convergence of three musicians with distinct and complementary histories. David Riley, a Jamaican-born producer, had already built a reputation in the remix world, contributing to tracks for high-profile artists including R. Kelly and Fu Schnickens. Jules Tulley brought a different kind of experience to the table, having worked as both a session musician and a television presenter. Rounding out the trio was Paul Barry, a vocalist and songwriter whose career in the music industry stretched back to the late 1970s, during which time he was a member of the band the Questions. The three crossed paths in a London recording studio, and their collaboration quickly solidified into a full-fledged group. Their shared chemistry and complementary skill sets earned them a signing with Trauma Records, setting the stage for what would become a distinctive dance-pop project blending multiple genres and decades of musical influence.

The Debut Album & Musical Identity

Dreamhouse's self-titled debut album represented a bold fusion of genres, pairing dance-oriented reinterpretations of 1960s pop classics with original compositions steeped in reggae rhythms. The project was released in two distinct editions. The Asian pressing, titled Sha-La-La, arrived in 1997 and featured a more expansive track listing than its Western counterpart. This version included the song "Sha La La," originally performed by the Walkers, along with two additional mixes of that track. It also carried a mix of "Let's Live for Today," a tune first recorded by the Rokes, plus two extra songs: "Walk Like a Man," a Four Seasons original, and "Lightnin' Bar Blues," written by Hoyt Axton. The European and American release followed in 1998 under the simple title Dreamhouse. Despite the differences in track listings, both editions showcased the group's signature approach of reimagining vintage pop through a modern dance and reggae lens, creating a sound that felt simultaneously nostalgic and forward-looking.

"Stay" & Chart History

The most recognizable track in Dreamhouse's catalog was their rendition of "Stay," the 1960 number-one hit originally recorded by Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs. The group's dance-pop reimagining of this classic was first released as a UK single in 1995, where it climbed to number 62 on the UK Singles Chart. While that placement may seem modest, it established the song as the group's signature piece and gave them a foothold in the British market. Three years later, in 1998, "Stay" was reissued in the United States as the lead single from the album, extending its reach to an American audience. Throughout their career, Dreamhouse released four singles in total, but "Stay" remained the track most closely associated with the group. Its journey from a 1960s soul classic to a late-1990s dance-pop single encapsulated the band's broader artistic mission: to bridge generations of pop music through rhythmic reinvention.

Life Beyond Dreamhouse

Once Dreamhouse concluded, each member pursued separate and notable paths in the music world. Paul Barry, whose songwriting talent had been evident throughout the group's work, went on to enjoy an extraordinarily successful career as a hit songwriter. He co-wrote "Believe" for Cher, and contributed to two major tracks for Enrique Iglesias: "Hero" and "Bailamos." More recently, his pen was behind "Let It Go" by James Bay, demonstrating a remarkable longevity and adaptability across decades and genres. Jules Tulley found a new creative outlet by joining the Eurodance country group Rednex, performing under the stage name Scarlet. David Riley, whose pre-Dreamhouse work in remixing for artists like R. Kelly and Fu Schnickens had already established his production credentials, continued to operate in the broader music production landscape. The group's brief but distinctive existence thus served as a springboard for careers that would touch pop, dance, country, and R&B well into the 21st century.