Their 1982 self-titled debut album, coming after their 1981 EP 'Telecommunication'. involved themes of alien abduction and disorientation in modern society, comparable to space rock. The band split in 1985 after later songs, taking in inspiration from commercial pop rock of the era instead, failed to reach an audience. Score reformed the band with new members in 1995. The original lineup reunited for a handful of small club dates in 2003. Since then, Score has sporadically performed his version of the band with a fluctuating lineup.
Nightmares
A Flock of Seagulls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looking at the pictures on the wall
You keep quiet when you should be talking
You just don't make any sense at all
Remember when you were much younger
And you were lying in your bed
Among the satin sheets and pillows
Mama Mama I keep having nightmares
Mama Mama Mama am I ill?
Mama Mama Mama hold me tightly
Mama Mama Mama do you love me still?
But now it's different you are older
There's no one here to hold your hand
Your Mama's gone beyond the veil,joan
There's no one left who understands
Mama Mama I keep having nightmares
Mama Mama Mama am I ill?
Mama Mama Mama hold me tighter
Mama Mama do you love me still?
Do you love me?
Do you love me?
So your left standing in the corner
You keep your face turned to the wall
A fading dream A fading memory
A shooting star that had to fall
Mama Mama I keep having nightmares
Mama Mama Mama am I ill?
Mama Mama Mama hold me tighter
Mama Mama do you love me still?
Do you love me?
Mama Mama do you love me still?
Do you love me?
Mama Mama do you love me still?
Do you love me?
Mama?
The lyrics to A Flock of Seagulls's "Nightmares" describe the feeling of being lost and alone, without a guiding figure to turn to for comfort. The lines "You keep stopping when you could be walking...You keep quiet when you should be talking" suggest a lack of confidence and direction in the singer's life. Similarly, the lines "But now it's different you are older/There's no one here to hold your hand/Your Mama's gone beyond the veil/There's no one left who understands" convey a sense of isolation and abandonment. The repetition of the phrase "Mama Mama" throughout the song reflects the singer's yearning for a maternal figure to provide guidance, comfort, and love.
The chorus, which consists solely of the lines "Mama Mama I keep having nightmares/Mama Mama Mama am I ill?/Mama Mama Mama hold me tighter/Mama Mama do you love me still?" underscores the sense of vulnerability and fear that pervades the song. The use of the word "nightmares" suggests that the singer is grappling with deep-seated emotional pain that he can't shake off. He longs for the reassurance and love that he received as a child, and he questions whether his inability to overcome his fears and anxieties means that there is something fundamentally wrong with him.
Overall, "Nightmares" conveys the ache of loneliness and the desire for human connection. It speaks to the longing we all have for someone to hold us close and tell us that we are loved and cherished, no matter what.
Line by Line Meaning
You keep stopping when you could be walking
You are stagnating instead of making progress
Looking at the pictures on the wall
You are fixating on the past instead of moving forward
You keep quiet when you should be talking
You are not expressing your thoughts and feelings when you should
You just don't make any sense at all
Your behavior is confusing and irrational
Remember when you were much younger
Recall a time in your past when circumstances were different
And you were lying in your bed
Reflecting on a time of vulnerability and insecurity
Among the satin sheets and pillows
Recollecting a time of luxury and comfort
Your mother there to ease your head
Feeling the warmth and protection of a maternal figure
Mama Mama I keep having nightmares
The subconscious fear and anxiety that plagues you
Mama Mama Mama am I ill?
Worrying about the state of your mental and physical health
Mama Mama Mama hold me tightly
Craving the comfort and security of a parental embrace
Mama Mama Mama do you love me still?
Questioning the consistency of your maternal love and affection
But now it's different you are older
Currently facing adult challenges and responsibilities
There's no one here to hold your hand
Navigating these difficulties alone
Your Mama's gone beyond the veil,joan
Dealing with the loss of your mother, who has passed away
There's no one left who understands
Feeling isolated and misunderstood
So your left standing in the corner
Feeling trapped and helpless
You keep your face turned to the wall
Avoiding reality and the harshness of the present
A fading dream A fading memory
The past is slipping away from you
A shooting star that had to fall
Your life is beautiful, but fleeting and mortal
Mama Mama do you love me still?
The persistent insecurity and desire for maternal love
Do you love me?
The need for external validation and approval
Mama?
The deafening silence and absence of comfort
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Frank Maudsley, Paul Reynolds, Ali Score, Mike Score
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@golden_eldorado
This is my favorite Seagulls song. I love the music and the lyrics.
@stephm.3407
Me too!
@J.A.1969
Yep. Definitely one of their best tracks. That second album is so good and I dig it way more than the first one.
@ziggystardust360
I just heard this for the first time today and I'm obsessed
@redskies4530
Hi I recommend a Song Called 'The Bond villain' By Robert Nix
@bowiefreak1
In general, most videos are tripe. This one is cinematic. The entirety of the band acts convincingly. Comes off so naturalistic. This is eerie, weird, and disturbing. I love it!
@jasoncollins1702
One of the best videos of the 1980's, and it was directed by the goofball bassist! I can see my copy of Mommie Dearest as I type this. I still remember when I first saw this video, the time of night, the lighting in the room. It made an impression. Another stunning arrangement highlighted by the superb pickings of boy guitar genius Paul Reynolds.
@clarkem4119
I always found it odd that Mike kind of takes a backseat (no pun intended) in this video.
Regarding Mommie Dearest, is the song about that? If so, what's with the line "your mother's gone beyond the veil, Joan"? Joan WAS the mother, the daughter is Christina.
@raymondpanagos5197
Great song...Was it the bassist who directed this video? That's hilarious, because it just shows how amazing these guys are. Multi talented, amazing music and videos, trend setters of a unique genre of music...And you are correct, Paul Reynolds is one of the best guitar players I've heard. And I've heard many. He was young, and made playing the guitar look easy, a guitar genius by all means.
@DarkKnightTrinity
Excellent song, chilling and entrancing guitar and vocals, great hall sfx. Can't believe I never heard it until now.