Dream Police (song)
Encyclopedia
"Dream Police" is the title of a song written by Rick Nielsen
and originally released in 1979 by the American
rock band Cheap Trick
. It was the opening track of Cheap Trick's album Dream Police
. The single peaked #26 on the US single chart. Nielsen has stated that the song "is an attempt to take a heavy thought - a quick bit of REM snatched right before waking up - an put into a pop format." Cheap Trick biographers Mike Hayes and Ken Sharp describe the song as "a magnificent tour-de-force, characterized by an addictively infectious chorus
and jarring bursts of dissonance
.
Tom Maginnis of Allmusic described the song as "a tongue in cheek Orwellian
nightmare" and that it represents "late '70's power pop
at it’s zenith." Maginnis also noted that "Dream Police" follows up on its B-side, "Heaven Tonight" (which had been released on a previous album), in that both songs represent dreams. Dave Marsh
of Rolling Stone Magazine described the song as a "trash thriller like John Carpenter
's Halloween
, and also noted that it is "nearly as good as the earlier ones in which Cheap Trick used similar stylistic devices."
. It is a disturbing song that was written by Rick Nielsen and Cheap Trick bassist Tom Petersson
. "Heaven Tonight" was one of two songs on the album that involved death, "Auf Wiedersehen
" being the other. In this song, potential death comes from drug abuse; Nielsen described it as an "anti-drug" song. Stephen Thomas Erlewine
of Allmusic described the song as being "dreamily psychedelic." Mitchell Schneider of Rolling Stone Magazine noted a resemblance between "Heaven Tonight" and The Beatles
' "Strawberry Fields Forever
."
Nielsen played a mandocello
on the song, and other instruments include harpsichord
and cello
. Nielsen described the song as "a kind of parody on some of the drug songs of the sixties" and stated that "it could even be the basis for a movie." Petersson stated that they tried to make the song sound like Led Zeppelin
's "Kashmir
." Nielsen noted that the song's ending line: "you can never come down" was taken from a Joe Byrd and the Field Hippies song.
Rick Nielsen
-External links:* * *...
and originally released in 1979 by the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock band Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. The band consists of members Robin Zander , Rick Nielsen , Tom Petersson , and Bun E...
. It was the opening track of Cheap Trick's album Dream Police
Dream Police
Dream Police is a 1979 studio album by Cheap Trick. It was their fourth studio release, and third in a row produced by Tom Werman. It is the band's most commercially successful studio album, going to No...
. The single peaked #26 on the US single chart. Nielsen has stated that the song "is an attempt to take a heavy thought - a quick bit of REM snatched right before waking up - an put into a pop format." Cheap Trick biographers Mike Hayes and Ken Sharp describe the song as "a magnificent tour-de-force, characterized by an addictively infectious chorus
Refrain
A refrain is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song...
and jarring bursts of dissonance
Consonance and dissonance
In music, a consonance is a harmony, chord, or interval considered stable, as opposed to a dissonance , which is considered to be unstable...
.
Tom Maginnis of Allmusic described the song as "a tongue in cheek Orwellian
George Orwell
Eric Arthur Blair , better known by his pen name George Orwell, was an English author and journalist...
nightmare" and that it represents "late '70's power pop
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
at it’s zenith." Maginnis also noted that "Dream Police" follows up on its B-side, "Heaven Tonight" (which had been released on a previous album), in that both songs represent dreams. Dave Marsh
Dave Marsh
Dave Marsh is an American music critic, author, editor and radio talk show host. He was a formative editor of Creem magazine, has written for various publications such as Newsday, The Village Voice, and Rolling Stone, and has published numerous books about music and musicians, mostly focused on...
of Rolling Stone Magazine described the song as a "trash thriller like John Carpenter
John Carpenter
John Howard Carpenter is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, editor, composer, and occasional actor. Although Carpenter has worked in numerous film genres in his four-decade career, his name is most commonly associated with horror and science fiction.- Early life :Carpenter was born...
's Halloween
Halloween (1978 film)
Halloween is a 1978 American independent horror film directed, produced, and scored by John Carpenter, co-written with Debra Hill, and starring Donald Pleasence and Jamie Lee Curtis in her film debut and the first installment in the Halloween franchise. The film is set in the fictional midwestern...
, and also noted that it is "nearly as good as the earlier ones in which Cheap Trick used similar stylistic devices."
In popular culture
- The song was covered in 2011 by North Carolina-based band The Verses for the "Facility Review: Manifold Recording" feature in Pro Audio Review's October 2011 issue. The song was released internationally as a digital single via major retailers iTunes, Amazon, and more.
- The song was covered in 2010 by Rob GravelleRob GravelleRob Gravelle is a guitarist best known for his work with the classic metal band Ivory Knight.Rob began studying guitar with private music lessons at the age of fifteen. After high school, he enrolled at Carleton University so that he could study music full-time...
, former guitarist of Ivory KnightIvory KnightIvory Knight was a Canadian metal quartet whose sound combined elements of power metal, thrash, progressive metal, hard rock, and death metal.Ivory Knight was originally founded in 1988 by vocalist / multi-instrumentalist John Devadasan Perinbam and Paul Malek, who played drums on the Annihilator...
, and released as a digital MP3 single. - The song was featured in the movie Hard Rock TreasuresHard Rock TreasuresHard Rock Treasures is a documentary film about Don "The Indiana Jones of Rock 'n' Roll" Bernstein from Hard Rock Cafe, when he visits musicians to try to get memorabilia from them....
. - The song was featured in the SimpsonsThe SimpsonsThe Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
episode Two Bad NeighborsTwo Bad Neighbors"Two Bad Neighbors" is the 13th episode of The Simpsons seventh season. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on January 14, 1996. In the episode,the Simpson family is having a garage sale. Right when the sale gets moving, George H. W...
Apu is seen singing the chorus. - The song is featured as a playable track in the video game Guitar Hero: AerosmithGuitar Hero: AerosmithGuitar Hero: Aerosmith is a music video game developed by Neversoft and distributed by Activision. It was released on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles, with a Wii version developed by Vicarious Visions, a PlayStation 2 version by Budcat Creations and with a PC and Mac version by Aspyr Media...
. - The song was partially sung by the character Mike Damone in the movie Fast Times at Ridgemont HighFast Times at Ridgemont HighFast Times at Ridgemont High is a 1982 American coming-of-age teen comedy film written by Cameron Crowe and adapted from his 1981 book of the same name...
to try to drum up a (scalped) ticket sale. - The song is featured on the Rite Aid Radio network, broadcast to Rite AidRite AidRite Aid is a drugstore chain in the United States and a Fortune 500 company headquartered in East Pennsboro Township, Pennsylvania, near Camp Hill. Rite Aid is the largest drugstore chain on the East Coast and the third largest drugstore chain in the U.S....
Pharmacies across the country. - The song was referenced in the TV series United States of Tara. The manager of the restaurant where the protagonist's daughter works, is seen singing it to her(the daughter) before they proceed to make out.
- Jim NortonJim Norton (comedian)James Joseph "Jim" Norton, Jr. is an American stand-up comedian, radio personality, author, and actor. He is an on-air personality, often dubbed the 'third mic' on The Opie and Anthony Show, which airs on Sirius XM Radio...
of the Opie and Anthony Show has referred to this song as the "Suck Police". - The song was featured in the LostLost (TV series)Lost is an American television series that originally aired on ABC from September 22, 2004 to May 23, 2010, consisting of six seasons. Lost is a drama series that follows the survivors of the crash of a commercial passenger jet flying between Sydney and Los Angeles, on a mysterious tropical island...
episode The LieThe Lie (Lost)"The Lie" is the second episode of the fifth season of ABC's science fiction drama television series Lost. The 88th episode of the show overall, "The Lie" aired on January 21, 2009 on ABC in the United States, being simulcast on A in Canada. It aired immediately after the previous episode, "Because...
. - The name of the song was mentioned on the series Life on MarsLife on Mars (U.S. TV series)Life on Mars was a science fiction crime drama television series which originally aired on ABC from October 9, 2008 to April 1, 2009. It is an adaptation of the BAFTA-winning original UK series of the same name produced by the BBC...
, where the police were telling Sam that they live inside his head. - In 2010, Cheap Trick re-recorded Dream Police as "Green Police," a spoof of police who arrest people for acts deemed to be damaging to the environment. The song was the focus of a commercial played during Super Bowl XLIVSuper Bowl XLIVSuper Bowl XLIV was an American football game between the American Football Conference champion Indianapolis Colts and the National Football Conference champion New Orleans Saints to decide the National Football League champion for the 2009 season. The Saints defeated the Colts by a score of...
for AudiAudiAudi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
. - The song was covered by prominent punk rock band No Use for a NameNo Use for a NameNo Use for a Name is a punk rock band from San Jose, California, United States formed in 1987 by Chris Dodge , Steve Papoutsis , Rory Koff and John Meyers...
, which featured on the Fat Wreck ChordsFat Wreck ChordsFat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
compilation Harder, Fatter + Louder!Harder, Fatter + Louder!Harder, Fatter + Louder! is a compilation album released November 22, 2010 by Fat Wreck Chords as the seventh volume in the label's Fat Music series. It marked the resumption of the series after an eight-year gap since 2002's Uncontrollable Fatulence... - The song was used in the promo commercials for the second season of Superjail!
- The song is offered as downloadable content for Rock Band 3Rock Band 3Rock Band 3 is a music video game, developed by Harmonix Music Systems. The game was initially published and distributed by MTV Games and Electronic Arts, respectively, with Mad Catz taking over both roles a year later. It is the third main game in the Rock Band series...
as of September 6, 2011.
Chart positions
| Chart (1979–1980) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 26 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 4 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 28 |
| Japanese Singles Chart | 79 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 7 |
Heaven Tonight
The B-side of the "Dream Police" single was "Heaven Tonight," previously released as the title track of Cheap Trick's previous studio album, 1978's Heaven TonightHeaven Tonight
Heaven Tonight is Cheap Trick's third album, released in 1978. The album was remastered and released with bonus tracks on Sony's Epic/Legacy imprint in 1998. The album cover features lead singer Robin Zander and bassist Tom Petersson....
. It is a disturbing song that was written by Rick Nielsen and Cheap Trick bassist Tom Petersson
Tom Petersson
Tom Petersson is an American musician, best known as the bassist and sometime guitarist for the rock band Cheap Trick.-Career:...
. "Heaven Tonight" was one of two songs on the album that involved death, "Auf Wiedersehen
Auf Wiedersehen (song)
"Auf Wiedersehen" is a song co-written by Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen and bassist Tom Petersson and first released on the band's 1978 album Heaven Tonight. It was also released as a single as the B-side of "Surrender"...
" being the other. In this song, potential death comes from drug abuse; Nielsen described it as an "anti-drug" song. Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Stephen Thomas Erlewine is a senior editor for Allmusic. He is the author of many artist biographies and record reviews for Allmusic, as well as a freelance writer, occasionally contributing liner notes. He is also frontman and guitarist for the Ann Arbor-based band Who Dat?Erlewine is the nephew...
of Allmusic described the song as being "dreamily psychedelic." Mitchell Schneider of Rolling Stone Magazine noted a resemblance between "Heaven Tonight" and The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
' "Strawberry Fields Forever
Strawberry Fields Forever
"Strawberry Fields Forever" is a song by The Beatles, written by John Lennon and attributed to the Lennon–McCartney songwriting partnership. It was inspired by Lennon's memories of playing in the garden of a Salvation Army house named "Strawberry Field" near his childhood home."Strawberry Fields...
."
Nielsen played a mandocello
Mandocello
The mandocello is a plucked string instrument of the mandolin family. It has eight strings in four paired courses, tuned in 5ths like a mandolin, but is larger, and tuned CC-GG-dd-aa . It is to the mandolin what the cello is to the violin.-Construction:Mandocello construction is similar to the...
on the song, and other instruments include harpsichord
Harpsichord
A harpsichord is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It produces sound by plucking a string when a key is pressed.In the narrow sense, "harpsichord" designates only the large wing-shaped instruments in which the strings are perpendicular to the keyboard...
and cello
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
. Nielsen described the song as "a kind of parody on some of the drug songs of the sixties" and stated that "it could even be the basis for a movie." Petersson stated that they tried to make the song sound like Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
's "Kashmir
Kashmir (song)
"Kashmir" is a song by the English rock band Led Zeppelin from their sixth album Physical Graffiti, released in 1975. It was written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant over a period of three years, with the lyrics dating back to 1973.-Overview:The song centres around a signature chord progression...
." Nielsen noted that the song's ending line: "you can never come down" was taken from a Joe Byrd and the Field Hippies song.