Celebrating the release of Chris Nolan’s INCEPTION, a film about stealing and planting ideas in the subconscious while a person is in the dream state, here are five songs related to dreams - a beautiful & fascinating subject.
1. Radiohead - How To Disappear Completely
(From the 2000 album ‘Kid A’)
This string-laden ballad from the band’s first major-turn in sound is a sweeping song about frontman Thom Yorke’s view of himself while floating in a dream. His voice of resignation shows nonchalance to the situation yet still being observant to his surroundings.
“That there. That's not me. I go where I please. I walk through walls, I float down the Liffey. I'm not here. This isn't happening”
[Also: ‘(nice dream)’ from the 1995 album ‘The Bends]
2. Neil Young - After The Gold Rush
(From the 1970 album ‘After The Gold Rush)
Legendary musician Neil Young couldn’t be vaguer than in this title track off his most successful album in the 70s. No wonder. He talks about visions he had in dreams. Even he himself may not be able to explain what the lyrics meant. The way he sings it however is so vulnerable like a child sharing stories from his wild imagination.
“Well, I dreamed I saw the silver space ships flying in the yellow haze of the sun. There were children crying and colors flying all around the chosen ones. All in a dream, all in a dream, the loading had begun.”
3. Jeff Buckley - So Real
(From the 1994 album ‘Grace’)
A highlight from one of the most unforgettable albums in the 90s. The late troubadour fills this track with emotions and visceral yearning only a few can perfectly execute. A great verse riff written by his bandmate Michael Tighe complements Buckley’s words about slipping into a nightmare.
“And the wind blew an invocation. And I fell asleep at the gate. And I never stepped on the cracks 'cause I thought I'd hurt my mother”
4. The Beatles - Yesterday
(From the 1965 album ‘Help!’)
Not exactly a song about dreams but the most famous tune that introduced itself to the artist through a dream!
Paul McCartney: "I woke up with a lovely tune in my head. I thought, 'That's great, I wonder what that is?' There was an upright piano next to me, to the right of the bed by the window. I got out of bed, sat at the piano, found G, found F sharp minor 7th -- and that leads you through then to B to E minor, and finally back to E. It all leads forward logically. I liked the melody a lot, but because I'd dreamed it, I couldn't believe I'd written it. I thought, 'No, I've never written anything like this before.' But I had the tune, which was the most magic thing!"
5. Bjork – Heirloom
(From the 2001 album ‘Vespertine’)
Despite her infamous swan-suit at that time, Bjork’s most seductive album houses this weird stunning song about a recurrent dream which may also be lucid. She doesn’t complain. Instead, she embraces the ideas and considers them comforting.
“While I'm asleep, my mother and son pour into me warm glowing oil into my wide open throat. They do a little trapeze walk until they're in the sky right above our heads.”
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Personally, dreams in music has always been a delight. The art I consciously make paired with visions from my subconscious have delivered me 3 songs so far.
In case you're interested:
Freeradio - DREAM RECIPE
Rob Equiza - ALARM
Rob Equiza - MARCH
