After banshee wailer Poly Styrene departed from X-Ray Spex, the remaining members held auditions for a replacement singer. Solo won the approval of a few of Styrene's former bandmates, and they debuted at the Music Machine on August 1979. Airport left the group before they even recorded their first single; he was replaced by Gary Steadman. In 1981, Classix Nouveaux released "Guilty," one of their most well-known tracks; the track was a Top-20 hit in Sweden and received interest in the U.K. as well as the U.S. The music video also received airplay on MTV.
A year later, the single "Is It a Dream" reached number 13 on the U.K. charts. Despite successful tours in Yugoslavia, Finland, and Poland, none of Classix Nouveaux's three albums truly catapulted them beyond cult status in Britain or America, getting lost in the shuffle of other new romantic groups that they had originally influenced. The band split up in 1985, and Solo started recording Christian music.
In 2021 band has reunited and released album with re-recorded songs from their back catalogue plus some new material in November 2023 entitled "Battle Cry"
Is It A Dream
Classix Nouveaux Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is it a dream?
Is it a dream?
Another broken dream, they say all the time
Sorry if I can't be as you'd like to find
If we could only see
Things as they're meant to be
But we believe in dreams
Satisfaction (is it a dream?)
No distraction (is it a dream?)
No more fighting (is it a dream?)
No backbiting (is it a dream?)
Promises broken, it's an imperfect world
Harsh words are spoken though they weren't meant to hurt
If we could only see
Things as they're meant to be
But no, it's just a dream
Satisfaction (is it a dream?)
No distraction (is it a dream?)
No more fighting (is it a dream?)
No backbiting (is it a dream?)
Satisfaction (is it a dream?)
No distraction (is it a dream?)
No more fighting (is it a dream?)
No backbiting (is it a dream?)
Never losing (is it a dream?)
Freedom choosing (is it a dream?)
Never needing (is it a dream?)
No hearts bleeding (is it a dream?)
The song "Is It A Dream?" by Classix Nouveaux is about the idea of dreams and whether or not they can become reality. The lyrics speak about broken dreams and how things aren't always as they seem. The singer apologizes for not being what others want them to be, but suggests that if we could only see things as they are meant to be, then perhaps our dreams could become reality. However, the overall message of the song is that all these dreams may just be an illusion, and that the perfect world we hope for may simply be a figment of our imagination.
The repeated question "Is it a dream?" reinforces the idea that the things we hope for can sometimes feel too good to be true. The verses describe how promises are broken, harsh words are spoken, and the world is imperfect, which echoes the theme of disillusionment. The chorus lists different things that we hope for, such as satisfaction, no distraction, no fighting, and no backbiting, but asks whether these things are real or just part of a dream.
One interpretation of the song is that it is a critique of society's focus on material possessions and a desire for a perfect life. Classix Nouveaux may be suggesting that we need to focus on accepting the world as it is, rather than constantly striving for a picture-perfect existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Is it a dream?
Questioning the reality of a situation or experience
Is it a dream?
Repeating the initial question to emphasize the uncertainty
Is it a dream?
Continuing to question whether the experience is real
Another broken dream, they say all the time
Acknowledging the frequency of disappointment and failure
Sorry if I can't be as you'd like to find
Expressing regret for not meeting someone else's expectations
If we could only see
Things as they're meant to be
Reflecting on the potential of a different perspective
But we believe in dreams
Holding onto hope and optimism despite setbacks
Satisfaction (is it a dream?)
No distraction (is it a dream?)
No more fighting (is it a dream?)
No backbiting (is it a dream?)
Asking whether a peaceful and fulfilling life is attainable
Promises broken, it's an imperfect world
Acknowledging the reality of imperfection and disappointment
Harsh words are spoken though they weren't meant to hurt
Recognizing the unintentional harm caused by communication
But no, it's just a dream
Accepting that the desired reality may not be possible
Never losing (is it a dream?)
Freedom choosing (is it a dream?)
Never needing (is it a dream?)
No hearts bleeding (is it a dream?)
Asking whether a life without loss, obligation, or pain is possible
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Sal Solo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anthonydickinson5913
Just told the wife I’m coming to bed.....Now on a massive 70’s and 80’s binge.....👍👍👍👍
@jasonblitz7454
Classix Nouveaux are often ignored in the NEw ROmantic world which I find utterly nonsense! They are LEGENDARY!
@nickpriech
I agree !
@nicolavarva
Absolutely was a big fan
@davidmeilak4053
This group deserved more than it got in the 80's. A fantastic group!
@Isochest
Agreed.
@gothicpagan.666
This is the very meaning of "New Romantic" Great time for music
@bwhite8651
having lots of fun going through the music I loved in my younger days. This one is one of my favourites.
@mgy1912
Will always be my favorite New Romantic band 4ever. Thank you for posting and nice to remember the "good old days". Classix Nouveaux Rocks.
@upfrontbear74
Loved them, their 3rd album Secret is fantastic as is Sal Solo's album Heart & Soul, long live the 80s