Catatonia was formed in 1992, reputedly after songwriter Mark Roberts heard Cerys busking in Cardiff city centre. They had considerable success, their most famous hits being "Mulder and Scully", "Road Rage" and "Dead From The Waist Down". In September 2001, Cerys announced her departure from Catatonia after bouts of exhaustion and anxiety. Her departure was followed shortly by the breakup of the group.
Cerys is now performing her solo material (which is more folk/ country influenced) .
Not to be confused with the Swedish metal band Katatonia.
Cerys now has a solo album and is working as a DJ for Alternative radio Station BBC 6 Music.
Dream On
Catatonia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dream On, Saul Younger
I know this world won't change
Dream On, Saul Younger
Dream On, Saul Younger
I know this world won't change
A dros y moroedd
Dream On, Saul Younger
Dream On, Saul Younger
I caught you chasing chains
The song “Dream On” by Catatonia seems to be a plea for someone named Saul Younger to not be disheartened and to continue dreaming, even though the world may seem unchanging and unyielding. The repeated lines “Dream On, Saul Younger,” suggest that Saul may have lost faith in his dreams or find himself caught up in trivialities. The singer seems to be encouraging him through this song to not give up hope, to not let chains, whether literal or symbolic, hold him back, and to keep chasing after his dreams.
The Welsh lyrics, “Ewn dros y parcau, a dros y moroedd,” translate to “Fly over the parks, and over the oceans,” creating a vivid and adventurous image of soaring above obstacles. The repetition of the chorus further emphasizes the importance of continuing to dream despite the harsh realities of the world. The final line, “I caught you chasing chains,” suggests that the singer has witnessed Saul’s struggles firsthand and has seen how they have held him back.
Interesting facts about the song “Dream On” include:
1) The song was released in 1996 as part of the band’s album “International Velvet.”
2) It was one of Catatonia's biggest hits, reaching number 19 in the UK charts.
3) The song was inspired by the 1971 American film “Harold and Maude” and a scene where characters are told to “dream on” in the face of adversity.
4) The song was produced by Owen Morris, who also produced Oasis’ album “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?”
5) The band originally wrote the song in Welsh, and later translated it into English for the album.
6) The song features a sample of a clock ticking, which can be heard at the beginning and end of the track.
7) A remix of the song, titled “Saul Says (Miss World Mix),” features on the album “Singles” and was remixed by comedian and DJ Mark Thomas.
8) The music video for the song features a dreamlike sequence of the band performing on a beach at night.
9) The song has been covered by Welsh singer Cerys Matthews, who was the lead vocalist for Catatonia.
10) “Dream On” was used as the theme song for the UK television series “Cold Feet” in 1997.
Chords (as played in the studio version):
Verse: Em7 - G - D - A
Chorus: A - D - A - Bm - E - A - D - A
Line by Line Meaning
Dream On, Saul Younger
Encouragement to keep chasing your dreams, Saul Younger
Dream On, Saul Younger
Repeat of the first line
I know this world won't change
Acknowledgment that the world can be cruel and difficult to navigate
Dream On, Saul Younger
Repeating the encouragement to keep pursuing your dreams
Dream On, Saul Younger
Repeated encouragement again
I caught you chasing chains
Observation that despite the difficulty, you are still relentlessly pursuing your goals
Ewn dros y parcau
Welsh-language phrase meaning 'flying over the fields'
A dros y moroedd
Welsh-language phrase meaning 'and over the seas'
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MATTHEWS, ROBERTS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind