Things That Dreams Are Made Of
Encyclopedia
"The Things That Dreams Are Made Of" is a song by the English
synthpop
group The Human League
. It was originally recorded for the Dare
album of 1981. It was remix
ed, remastered and released as a dance EP single in 2008; partly to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Human League, 26th anniversary of Dare and the band's Dare '07 tour. It reached number two in the official UK Dance Chart in February 2008.
. Often informally abbreviated TTDAMO, the song is a tribute to the simple pleasures in life which are then juxtaposed against a greater ambition. Philip Oakey
namechecks some of his and Philip Adrian Wright
's favourite things, an eclectic list from ice cream
to Norman Wisdom
and the names of the band members of Ramones
. The song contains Dares album title lyric "…do all the things you ever dared!". Philip Adrian Wright called the song a metaphor for the band's ambition in 1981. Female backing is provided by Susan Ann Sulley and Joanne Catherall
(then 18-year-old schoolgirls) who today together with Oakey are now the only surviving band members from the original Dare line up. Perhaps viewed as a sly dig to their former band mates, the drum machine intro to the song is identical to that of the title track from the first Heaven 17
album Penthouse and Pavement
. More likely the reason for the similarity between the two tracks is that both Heaven 17
and The Human League
, shared the same recording studio (Genetic), for both albums at the same time.
Since the recording of Dare, the Human League have frequently played the song live, principally because of its stadium friendly bass line. It was the opening track of performances on the Dare '07 tour. The song live today is now a much different and more dynamic version than the original. This due to the technical input of Neil Sutton
, David Beevers and Nic Burke and the technology the band now uses live, although Sulley, Oakey and Catherall’s vocals are unchanged.
In August 2003, a mash-up of the instrumentation of "The Things That Dreams Are Made Of" and the lyrics to SOS Band's "The Finest" was released as a single under the title "Finest Dreams". Produced by Richard X
, the song featured American singer Kelis
on vocals. The song reached #8 on UK charts. It appears on Richard X's album Richard X Presents His X-Factor Vol. 1
In 2007 Martin Rushent's newly resurrected Genetic Recordings label released a limited edition EP of the song containing the 'More of Mix' and 'Justus Köncke Vocal Mix Edit'. Concurrently Hooj Choons
issued a remix of the song by DJ/producer Tommy Bisdee aka 'Kissy Sell Out
'. Realising that the song had commercial selling power Hooj Choons then released a full commercial version on 21 January 2008.
Separate to the Hooj release, a version of the song remixed by British big beat
group Groove Armada
, appeared on their compilation album Late Night Tales: Groove Armada
, released 12 March 2008 by Azuli Records
.
Although an officially released Human League single, the band themselves did not initiate its release and have had nothing to do with the record's promotion. The track became popular with DJs and in clubs, gaining its own momentum through radio play on UK national BBC Radio One. After release it reached number two on the UK Dance Chart and number 17 on the UK Indie Chart in February 2008. It was the first return to the charts for the Human League in six years.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
synthpop
Synthpop
Synthpop is a genre of popular music that first became prominent in the 1980s, in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s by the use of synthesizers in progressive rock, electronic art rock, disco and particularly the "Kraut rock" of...
group The Human League
The Human League
The Human League are an English electronic New Wave band formed in Sheffield in 1977. They achieved popularity after a key change in line-up in the early 1980s and have continued recording and performing with moderate commercial success throughout the 1980s up to the present day.The only constant...
. It was originally recorded for the Dare
Dare (album)
Dare is the third studio album from British synthpop band The Human League.The album was recorded between March and September 1981 and first released in the UK on 20 October 1981, then subsequently in the U.S...
album of 1981. It was remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
ed, remastered and released as a dance EP single in 2008; partly to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Human League, 26th anniversary of Dare and the band's Dare '07 tour. It reached number two in the official UK Dance Chart in February 2008.
Background
The song started as an album track on the Human League’s Dare album, recorded at Genetic Studios in the summer of 1981 and was produced by Martin RushentMartin Rushent
Martin Rushent was an English record producer, best known for his work with The Human League, The Stranglers and The Buzzcocks.- Early life :Rushent was born on 11 July 1948 in Enfield, Middlesex. His father was a car salesman...
. Often informally abbreviated TTDAMO, the song is a tribute to the simple pleasures in life which are then juxtaposed against a greater ambition. Philip Oakey
Philip Oakey
Philip Oakey is an English composer, singer, songwriter and producer.He is best known as the lead singer, frontman and co-founder of the famous English synthpop band The Human League. He has also had an extensive solo music career and collaborated with numerous other artists and producers...
namechecks some of his and Philip Adrian Wright
Philip Adrian Wright
Philip Adrian Wright is an English musician, also known as Adrian Wright.Wright had studied film making at Sheffield Art College and was a friend of Philip Oakey. In 1978 he was invited to join the new avant-garde electronic band The Human League which composed of Oakey, Martyn Ware and Ian Craig...
's favourite things, an eclectic list from ice cream
Ice cream
Ice cream is a frozen dessert usually made from dairy products, such as milk and cream, and often combined with fruits or other ingredients and flavours. Most varieties contain sugar, although some are made with other sweeteners...
to Norman Wisdom
Norman Wisdom
Sir Norman Joseph Wisdom, OBE was an English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter best known for a series of comedy films produced between 1953 and 1966 featuring his hapless onscreen character Norman Pitkin...
and the names of the band members of Ramones
Ramones
The Ramones were an American rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first punk rock group...
. The song contains Dares album title lyric "…do all the things you ever dared!". Philip Adrian Wright called the song a metaphor for the band's ambition in 1981. Female backing is provided by Susan Ann Sulley and Joanne Catherall
Joanne Catherall
Joanne Catherall is an English singer; best known as one of the two female vocalists of the veteran English synthpop band The Human League.Born and raised in Sheffield, England...
(then 18-year-old schoolgirls) who today together with Oakey are now the only surviving band members from the original Dare line up. Perhaps viewed as a sly dig to their former band mates, the drum machine intro to the song is identical to that of the title track from the first Heaven 17
Heaven 17
Heaven 17 are an English synthpop band originating from Sheffield in the early 1980s. The trio comprises Martyn Ware , Ian Craig Marsh and Glenn Gregory...
album Penthouse and Pavement
Penthouse and Pavement
-2010 3-disc Special Edition:Disc 1:#" Fascist Groove Thang"#"Penthouse And Pavement"#"Play To Win"#"Soul Warfare"#"Geisha Boys And Temple Girls"#"Let's All Make A Bomb"#"The Height Of The Fighting"#"Song With No Name"...
. More likely the reason for the similarity between the two tracks is that both Heaven 17
Heaven 17
Heaven 17 are an English synthpop band originating from Sheffield in the early 1980s. The trio comprises Martyn Ware , Ian Craig Marsh and Glenn Gregory...
and The Human League
The Human League
The Human League are an English electronic New Wave band formed in Sheffield in 1977. They achieved popularity after a key change in line-up in the early 1980s and have continued recording and performing with moderate commercial success throughout the 1980s up to the present day.The only constant...
, shared the same recording studio (Genetic), for both albums at the same time.
Since the recording of Dare, the Human League have frequently played the song live, principally because of its stadium friendly bass line. It was the opening track of performances on the Dare '07 tour. The song live today is now a much different and more dynamic version than the original. This due to the technical input of Neil Sutton
Neil Sutton
Neil Sutton is a long term associate member of the veteran British synthpop group The Human League. He is best known as the on stage and studio keyboard player, but also has written various lyrics and composed instrumental tracks for the band and has numerous Human League album credits.His...
, David Beevers and Nic Burke and the technology the band now uses live, although Sulley, Oakey and Catherall’s vocals are unchanged.
In August 2003, a mash-up of the instrumentation of "The Things That Dreams Are Made Of" and the lyrics to SOS Band's "The Finest" was released as a single under the title "Finest Dreams". Produced by Richard X
Richard X
Richard Philips, best known by his stage name Richard X, is a British songwriter and music producer. Gaining attention as a pioneer of the bootleg craze, Richard X has earned success as a producer and remixer. He has helmed hit singles for artists including Annie, Kelis, Liberty X, Rachel Stevens...
, the song featured American singer Kelis
Kelis
Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers (born August 21, 1971 is an American musical artist. She is a BRIT Award, Q Award and NME Award winner and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. She has had nine top 10 singles on the UK Singles Chart...
on vocals. The song reached #8 on UK charts. It appears on Richard X's album Richard X Presents His X-Factor Vol. 1
Richard X Presents His X-Factor Vol. 1
Richard X Presents His X-Factor Vol. 1 is the debut compilation album by British pop producer Richard X. The album features 15 tracks all produced by Richard X, most of which feature guest vocals....
In 2007 Martin Rushent's newly resurrected Genetic Recordings label released a limited edition EP of the song containing the 'More of Mix' and 'Justus Köncke Vocal Mix Edit'. Concurrently Hooj Choons
Hooj Choons
Hooj Choons is a house record label formed by Alex Simons and Red Jerry in 1990. The first release was "Carnival de Casa" by Rio Rhythm Band, however, it was not until 1992's release of Felix's "Don't You Want Me", which Red Jerry and Faithless founder-member Rollo co-produced, that Hooj Choons...
issued a remix of the song by DJ/producer Tommy Bisdee aka 'Kissy Sell Out
Kissy Sell Out
Kissy Sell Out an English DJ, producer and graphic designer. Kissy Sell Out quickly gained notability in 2006 for his eccentric electro productions and energetic DJ style. In 2009 Mixmag described him as "one of the most exciting, charismatic and entertaining DJs of the decade"...
'. Realising that the song had commercial selling power Hooj Choons then released a full commercial version on 21 January 2008.
Separate to the Hooj release, a version of the song remixed by British big beat
Big beat
Big beat is a term employed since the mid-1990s by the British music press to describe much of the music by artists such as The Prodigy, Fatboy Slim, The Chemical Brothers, The Crystal Method, and Propellerheads typically driven by heavy breakbeats and synthesizer-generated loops and patterns in...
group Groove Armada
Groove Armada
Groove Armada is an English electronic music duo from London, England comprising Andy Cato and Tom Findlay. They are perhaps best known for their singles "I See You Baby" and "Superstylin'"...
, appeared on their compilation album Late Night Tales: Groove Armada
Late Night Tales: Groove Armada
Late Night Tales: Groove Armada is a DJ mix album, mixed by Groove Armada, released as part of Late Night Tales / Another Late Night DJ series.-Track listing:# Things That Dreams Are Made Of - The Human League# Love Is The Drug - Roxy Music...
, released 12 March 2008 by Azuli Records
Azuli Records
Azuli Records is an independent record label, focusing mainly on house music and other forms of electronic dance music. The label was founded by DJ Dave Piccioni in London, UK in 1991 and went into liquidation in April 2009. It's assets were sold to Phoenix Music International Ltd...
.
Although an officially released Human League single, the band themselves did not initiate its release and have had nothing to do with the record's promotion. The track became popular with DJs and in clubs, gaining its own momentum through radio play on UK national BBC Radio One. After release it reached number two on the UK Dance Chart and number 17 on the UK Indie Chart in February 2008. It was the first return to the charts for the Human League in six years.
Track listing
- "The Things That Dreams Are Made Of" (original dub), mixed by Martin RushentMartin RushentMartin Rushent was an English record producer, best known for his work with The Human League, The Stranglers and The Buzzcocks.- Early life :Rushent was born on 11 July 1948 in Enfield, Middlesex. His father was a car salesman...
A - "The Things That Dreams Are Made Of" (Justus Kohncke dub), mixed by Justus Köncke A
- "The Things That Dreams Are Made Of" (Richard Stone mix), mixed by Richard Stone B
Use in television
- In the 1982 BBC2 comedy The Young OnesThe Young Ones (TV series)The Young Ones is a British sitcom, first broadcast in 1982, which ran for two series on BBC2. Its anarchic, offbeat humour helped bring alternative comedy to television in the 1980s and made household names of its writers and performers...
, the song is featured in the episode Interesting. - In 2010, the song was featured in The Kevin Bishop ShowThe Kevin Bishop ShowThe Kevin Bishop Show is a sketch comedy written by and starring English comedian Kevin Bishop, part of the Star Stories team. The show was commissioned by Channel 4 for a six part series starting 25 July 2008 at 10pm...
Series 2, Episode 5.
External links
- http://www.the-black-hit-of-space.dk/things_that_dreams_are_made_of.htm
- http://www.hooj.com/