In addition, Belew is well-regarded for his contributions, particularly on guitar, to various other artists' recordings. In 1977, he performed with Frank Zappa, appearing in Zappa's 1979 concert film Baby Snakes, as well as Zappa's controversial album Sheik Yerbouti. He also supported David Bowie on his "Heroes" tour that was released as "Stage". He also played on the 1990 Sound + Vision tour. On both tours he was musical director, playing guitar and singing backing vocals.
Belew's other session credits include the 1980 album Remain in Light by the Talking Heads, Lights Out by Peter Wolf, and Paul Simon's landmark 1986 album Graceland. He worked with Laurie Anderson during the mid-1980s, appearing in her concert film Home of the Brave. During the 1990s, he contributed to three Nine Inch Nails albums, The Downward Spiral, The Fragile, and Ghosts. He played synthesized guitar on the song "God Shuffled His Feet" by Crash Test Dummies in 1993.
In the late-1980s, Belew formed the pop band The Bears with ex-Raisins members and released two albums, The Bears and Rise and Shine. A third album, Car Caught Fire, followed in 2001.
He features prominently on Tori Amos's 2001 cover album, "Strange Little Girls". He also contributed his lead guitar stylings to Porcupine Tree's album Deadwing (2005) as well as to a track ("I Can't Get Behind That", also featuring Henry Rollins) on the 2004 Ben Folds-produced William Shatner album Has Been.
I Have a Dream
Adrian Belew Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Photos of Hiroshima, the Holocaust, and Kosovo
Tim McVeigh, Saddam Hussein, the bombing of the World Trade
Hostages in Bosnia, atrocities, South Africa,
Abortion and Kevorkian, Vietnam, napalm,
Lady Di, and Lennon died a violent crime, Columbine,
"I have a dream that one day..."
Rodney King, O.J., symbols of our lifes and times,
The lyrics of Adrian Belew's "I Have A Dream" are rich with references to tragic events and figures from modern history. The opening verse highlights some of the most notable tragedies and calamities of the second half of the 20th century, starting with the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy. These are followed by references to the refugee crisis, AIDS epidemic, nuclear attacks on Hiroshima, and the Holocaust. The verse also notes the more recent conflict in Kosovo and the Oklahoma City bombing.
The second verse shifts to other modern conflicts and issues, including the Gulf War and the conflict in Bosnia. The verse also references South Africa's apartheid regime, abortion and assisted suicide advocate Jack Kevorkian, and the use of napalm in the Vietnam War. The verse concludes with the violent deaths of Princess Diana and John Lennon, and the school shooting at Columbine High School.
The line "I have a dream that one day" is a direct reference to Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech, which called for racial equality and an end to discrimination. The reference underscores the theme of the song, which seems to be a call for peace, unity, and understanding in the face of the many conflicts and tragedies of the modern era.
Line by Line Meaning
Tragedies of Kennedys, refugees, AIDS disease
The sorrowful events involving the Kennedys, people forced to flee their homes, and the spread of AIDS.
Photos of Hiroshima, the Holocaust, and Kosovo
The haunting images of atomic destruction, the genocide of Jewish people during World War II, and the war in Kosovo.
Tim McVeigh, Saddam Hussein, the bombing of the World Trade
Acts of terrorism committed by individuals like Timothy McVeigh, political and military leaders like Saddam Hussein, and the infamous attack on the World Trade Center.
Hostages in Bosnia, atrocities, South Africa,
The abduction of innocent civilians in Bosnia, the inhumane acts of violence committed during wars and conflicts, and the struggles faced by South Africans during apartheid.
Abortion and Kevorkian, Vietnam, napalm,
Controversial issues such as abortions and assisted suicide, the atrocities of the Vietnam War and the use of napalm as a weapon.
Lady Di, and Lennon died a violent crime, Columbine,
Sudden and tragic deaths of Princess Diana and John Lennon due to violent crimes, as well as the shooting at Columbine High School.
"I have a dream that one day..."
The iconic words spoken by Martin Luther King Jr. during his famous speech, expressing his vision for the future of racial equality.
Rodney King, O.J., symbols of our lifes and times,
The highly-publicised cases involving Rodney King and O.J. Simpson, which symbolize the societal issues and attitudes of contemporary times.
"One giant leap for mankind"
The historic words uttered by Neil Armstrong as he became the first human ever to step foot on the moon, marking a monumental achievement for humanity.
Contributed by Penelope V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nik Gothic
I love these lyrics in Larks Part 4 because it's so jarring that it's the only time in the entire 40-year King Crimson discography that they drop all pretense. For this one short moment, they drop all of their irony and embrace sincerity. They didn't obscure their lyrics in metaphors or allegories, in Sinfield's fantastic visions of courts, jesters, and English fields, wiccan esotericism, Dutch paintings, or played games like making anagrams or ordering adjectives by ABC. No cheesy songs about dinosaurs or ants. This is real. This is just an open and heartfelt grieving from Belew about the endless cycle of violence and injustice in the world that has been happening since WW2, when we still think we've learned all the lessons and the world is on track to a utopian ideal, yet it's so, so far from it. I Have a Dream indeed.
Radia Ben
I will do lyrics linkin park in my channell
blastomb
The shock of hearing lyrics in what I expected to be another instrumental and it hitting so hard was absolutely magical, one of the best songs I’ve ever listened to.
Puff,TheMagic
I have no idea why people don't like the lyrics to this piece. It's so gripping and gritty. Gives me chills every time. My favourite piece on my favourite King Crimson album.
funkster007
I personally like it for what it is (beautiful melody and vocals), but I can see where people might find it cringy and unfitting for a KC song. Sounds like some nerdy "peace and love" teen chick wrote it.
Mr RagingPhoenix
what album is this on i cant find it
HEHEHE I AM A MASKED WARRIA
@Mr RagingPhoenix This was planned for the construKction of light, but it was scrapped. The lyrics and melody are used in Coda: I Have a Dream (the end of Larks' IV).
Sams200
@funkster007 king crimson was literally a hippie pacifist band when they formed
Universal
The best King Crimson era. Robert Frip and Adrian Belew together.
stewie dark / invisible id
You can say that again! 😉