From his website:
If you know reggae music, you know Clinton 'Basie' Fearon. Clinton Fearon is counted among Jamaica's most talented musicians by peers and professionals in the Reggae music industry. His infectious bass riffs, guitar licks, percussion accents and powerful vocals make Bassie a living legend amongst reggae musicians and fans.
As a youth, Bassie went to Kingston to eventually become the well-known bassist, vocalist and lyricist for The Gladiators as well as a house musician for Coxsonne Dodd’s Studio One and Lee “Scratch” Perry’s Black Ark Studio. Fearon recorded many of Perry's best known songs, including Roast Fish and Cornbread which features one of Fearon's most famous bass lines. He also composed some everlasting basslines for Yabby You, Jimmy Riley, Max Romeo, Junior Byles and many many others.
Just a Dream
Clinton Fearon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A dream is just a dream without you
A dream is nothing more
A dream is nothing less without you
A song is not a song
A song is not a song without words
There's no right or wrong
Chorus
The man next door is your brother
Just like that person in the mirror
You and I reflect one another
How long shall we run from the truth
Yes we can run but we can't hide
Oh no no no no no
No me without you
No you without me just like a team
Me for you
And you for me
The way we ought to be no in betweeen
What's the use of a telephone if nothing
Is at the other end
It's time we realized that no one no one
Stands alone
Chorus
Sky's the limit and we ain't gonna stop
Some way some how we've got to unite
Love's without measure
Sweeter than a lollipop
Come on come on down and take a bite
Go tell it to the town
Go tell it all around
But please remember now
Oh please remember that
Seasons come and seasons go
Just like the water flows when it rains
There's much to be achieved
If only we believe in you and me
Let your feelings go
Let the rhythm flow
Where it may
Freedom comes from deep within
Listen to the children sing
Oh hear them say
Chorus
By Preto
In Clinton Fearon's song Just a Dream, he opens with the line, "A dream is just a dream." This is followed by the declarative statement, "A dream is just a dream without you." He aims to convey the message that dreams are meaningless or empty if not shared with others, particularly someone beloved. He references the importance of human connection and the role that other people play in our lives. He states, "The man next door is your brother, just like that person in the mirror. You and I reflect one another." This is an acknowledgment of the interconnectedness of all human beings and our shared experiences.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of unity and partnership in life- "Me for you, and you for me, the way we ought to be, no in-between." Fearon highlights the concept that our greatest potential is possible when we work together in a cooperative and collaborative manner. His use of the metaphor of a telephone without anyone on the other end speaks to the idea that human connection is necessary to make something useful.
The last section of the song calls upon listeners to believe in themselves and each other. It speaks to the idea that when we come together in a spirit of unity and common purpose, we can achieve great things. The imagery of water flowing and seasons changing speaks to the idea that life is both cyclical and ever-changing. The song calls people to celebrate life's changes and the passage of time as a way to embrace the beauty and essence of life.
Line by Line Meaning
A dream is just a dream
A dream is a mere fantasy or wishful thinking.
A dream is just a dream without you
A dream loses its importance or value without the presence of a loved one.
A dream is nothing more
A dream is just a figment of one's imagination or a mental construct.
A dream is nothing less without you
Even if a loved one is not present in a dream, it remains just as vivid and meaningful as any other dream.
A song is not a song
A musical piece lacks the essence of being a proper song.
A song is not a song without words
A musical composition requires the accompaniment of lyrics to be considered a song.
There's no right or wrong
There are no clear cut standards of what is right or wrong.
There's no right or wrong without intelligence
Intelligence plays a role in distinguishing between right and wrong.
The man next door is your brother
All humans, regardless of their proximity, are part of the same universal family.
Just like that person in the mirror
An individual is a reflection of themselves and others, despite their perception of differences.
You and I reflect one another
Individual identities are intertwined and linked, reflecting a connection among all individuals.
How long shall we run from the truth
A call to stop denying and avoiding the reality of shared human experiences.
Yes we can run but we can't hide
Even if we attempt to avoid confrontation, the truth will always find its way to the surface.
No me without you
There is no existence or sense of self without the presence of a loved one.
No you without me just like a team
Individuals are not able to achieve their full potential without the support and presence of the other.
Me for you
A vow of personal commitment and service for a loved one.
And you for me
A mutual pledge of devotion for each other.
The way we ought to be no in between
The optimal state of a relationship is one that is free of mediocrity or ambivalence.
What's the use of a telephone if nothing is at the other end
A phone cannot serve its intended purpose if there is no answer or a lack of communication.
It's time we realized that no one, no one stands alone
A call for individuals to acknowledge the interdependent nature of the human experience and come together in unity.
Sky's the limit and we ain't gonna stop
There are no limitations to what can be achieved and progress should be continued.
Some way some how we've got to unite
A call to unite despite perceived differences, for a shared goal or purpose.
Love's without measure
Love is incomprehensible and cannot be quantified.
Sweeter than a lollipop
The purity of love surpasses the sweetness of candy.
Come on come on down and take a bite
An invitation to experience and bask in the joy of love.
Go tell it to the town
Spreading the message of the virtues of love and unity to the public.
Go tell it all around
Disseminating the message to all people, regardless of location or background.
But please remember now
A request for the message to be heeded or remembered.
Seasons come and seasons go
A reminder of the cyclical nature of life, with recurring patterns of change and growth.
Just like the water flows when it rains
Change can come suddenly and unexpectedly, like the uncontrolled flow of water during a rain storm.
There's much to be achieved
There is an abundance of potential and possibilities to be actualized.
If only we believe in you and me
The first step to achieving success is believing in oneself and in the support of others.
Let your feelings go
Releasing negative emotions and allowing oneself to be vulnerable in a positive manner.
Let the rhythm flow
Allowing the natural tempo and movement of life to take over and dictate the direction forward.
Where it may
Trusting in the journey, despite the uncertainty of outcomes.
Freedom comes from deep within
True liberation and independence comes from internal reflection and inner growth.
Listen to the children sing
Children represent the embodiment of hope and the future, thus their message is important and should be heard.
Oh hear them say
An invitation to listen and heed the message being conveyed by children.
Writer(s): clinton fearon
Contributed by Hannah O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.