That a major corporation like Coca-Cola would chose dance artists for such a promotion recognizes the international appeal of the genre, but stands in stark contrast to the resistant reception it continues to receive Stateside. "This is the battle I have every day," said Lucas of restoring dance music's rightful position to the throne of the pop world. "Think of Real McCoy, No Mercy, La Bouche… back in those days, dance music was pop music. Now, I write a big dance record like ‘And She Said,' and I have radio stations saying, ‘You know, we don't play those records anymore.'"

Never Stop Dreaming maintains Lucas' aim to reach for that crossover appeal; besides "A Girl Like That," the disc has pop gems in the form of "All the Girls," a track which could easily double for a summer boy band anthem. The ballad "Wrong Turn" was penned by prolific songwriter Diane Warren, about as mainstream as you can get. And there's a remake of the ‘80s Human League hit duet "Don't You Want Me," with fellow dance star Kim Sozzi taking on the female vocals.

Lucas acknowledges that some of his hardcore dance fans have been critical of the crossover efforts.

"I love dance music," says Lucas. "It runs through my veins. But I'm comfortable with other songs as well." And while his music continues to be closer to dance than most pop acts, Lucas isn't apologetic for treading closer to the borderline.

"Some fans will be upset. They'll say, ‘you went the other way! We liked you as a dance artist!'… But it's hard to survive as a dance artist in America today. If you're going to count on dance radio to make you a living, you're in a lot of trouble."

"Besides," he adds. "No matter what I do, I'm going to have a dance remix. I'd be stupid not to. But it's pop-leaning, too. I'm sorry if I pissed some people off with that… [but] in the end, it's only gonna help [dance music]."

And after all, isn't that the dream?