Nelly Goes Sky High In "Just a Dream" Video

Nelly takes us through an emotional landscape in his brand new video for his acoustic-leaning new hit single, "Just a Dream," showing the world a sensitive and vulnerable side that many never knew. "Just a Dream," the lead single comes from Nelly's recently released sixth studio "Nelly 5.0" album, has thrust the rapper back to the top of the charts. No matter how hard Nelly tries, he just can not get a hold of his love interest, played by Vampire Diaries actress/singer Katerina Graham.
Nelly told MTV News that the R&B/hip hop tune nearly didn't make it onto the record when he and Jonsin were working on music together for 5.0. The 36-year-old Grammy Awards winner debuted this string-heavy number during a free concert at Kiener Plaza in St Louis on July 29. He was helping to promote the city's bid for the 2012 Democratic National Convention. Nelly discussed the song's success with Billboard magazine: "When I did the song, I knew I had something; I loved the strings in it. As an artist, you get those feelings, like when I did 'Dilemma' [with Kelly Rowland] and 'Over and Over' [with Tim McGraw]. Me, Jim and Rico... we just felt it."
"My guess is most pop fans will be singing along well before the end of 'Just a Dream' and will want to hear it again". By the time Nelly gets around to singing, "If you ever loved somebody put your hands up", Nelly told Carbonated.TV that the reason his single is connecting with people is because of the "relatable" subject matter-love. "I think that the way the whole song plays out, with the beat and the lyrics, I think it comes together in the sense of it's almost a timeless song." However, the STL rapper denied reports that the song was dedicated to his former flame Ashanti.
The Sanji-directed video was shot at Playa del Rey, Los Angeles. Though he typically makes pretty literal videos, Nelly has taken a more artsy turn and goes sky high with the visual for "Just a Dream." In the "dreamy" black and white slow motion clip, laid-back Nelly takes a walk alone on the beach, thinking about a stunningly beautiful woman he couldn't commit to. As a house, wedding ring, and car float around him, he recalls the good times with her. And then it goes south. The house crumbles while the car and ring burn. And just like the movie, there's an unclear conclusion. Nelly's love drowns in the ocean, refusing his attempts to save her. But just before we see her fade completely, Nelly wakes up in his car. Was it all "Just a Dream?"