… Read Full Bio ↴The Crash Test Dummies is a Canadian rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The band is most identifiable through Brad Roberts (vocals, guitar) and his distinctive bass-baritone voice. The band members have fluctuated over the years, but its best known line-up consisted of Roberts, Ellen Reid (co-vocals, keyboards), Brad's brother Dan Roberts (bass guitar, backing vocals), Benjamin Darvill (harmonica, mandolin), and Mitch Dorge (drums, percussion). The band is best known internationally for their 1993 single "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" and best known in Canada for the 1991 single "Superman's Song".
After a multi-year hiatus, the band returned in 2015 with a tour and the new charity single "Promised Land" which was a collaboration with Marc Mysterio[1] following up his remix of "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm".
The origin of the Crash Test Dummies is tied to the history of two Winnipeg nightspots, the Spectrum Cabaret and the Blue Note Cafe, owned by Curtis Riddell.
In the mid-1980s, Riddell joined with Brad Roberts to form the decidedly less-than-serious bar band Bad Brad Roberts and the St. James Rhythm Pigs. Over time, the band evolved into the Crash Test Dummies, a name suggested by a friend of the band who was in medical school. The diagnostic mannequin, known colloquially as a crash test dummy, was known to the public already by this time. Ellen Reid and Benjamin Darvill became permanent additions. George West, the original bass player, quit and was replaced by Dan Roberts, Brad's brother. Riddell was replaced by Vince Lambert, who was fired and replaced by Mitch Dorge just before the release of The Ghosts That Haunt Me.
After signing with BMG Records in 1991, the band signed with manager Jeff Rogers (Swell).
In the summer of 2017, the full band, except Benjamin Darvill, reunited for a show in Winnipeg and Brad Roberts went on a tour of South Africa in early 2018.
In July 2018, a reunited photo of Brad Roberts, Ellen Reid, Dan Roberts, and Mitch Dorge was posted on the official Crash Test Dummies Facebook page, along with the announcement of Canadian Tour Dates for the fall.
Throughout their career, Crash Test Dummies have experimented with many different styles and genres of music. These styles include the acoustic folk rock of The Ghosts That Haunt Me, the electric alternative rock of A Worm's Life, the urban influences of Give Yourself a Hand, and the optigan-based compositions of Oooh La La!.
Crash Test Dummies recorded as a full five piece band from their debut album The Ghosts That Haunt Me until Give Yourself a Hand. At this time, the most notable instrumentation of the band's music included Brad Roberts' lead guitar, Ellen Reid's keyboards, and Benjamin Darvill's harmonica. Another notable element of Crash Test Dummies' music are the contrasting harmonies between Brad Roberts' deep lead vocals and Ellen Reid's backing vocals in the higher register.
Beginning with I Don't Care That You Don't Mind in 2001, the band's albums were recorded primarily by Brad Roberts, Ellen Reid, and a rotating roster of session musicians.
One of the biggest influences for Brad Roberts was the band XTC and Andy Partridge in particular. The band even went on to cover two of XTC's songs: "The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead" for the soundtrack to the film Dumb and Dumber, and "All You Pretty Girls" for the XTC tribute album A Testimonial Dinner.
Swimming In Your Ocean
Crash Test Dummies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes I suffer from distractions like
Why does God cause things like tornadoes and train wrecks?
When I'm swimming in
When I'm swimming in your ocean
Floating aloft on creams
And scented lotions
I hope you'll understand
When I kneel before your bounty
Sometimes I wonder if there could be really
UFOs that come from other planets
And when you let me taste your fingers
I take them like fruit and as I linger I
Wonder if my seed will find purchase in your soil
The lyrics of "Swimming In Your Ocean" by Crash Test Dummies tackle the idea of being distracted by the trivialities of life while one is in the throes of passion. The opening lines, "When I'm sampling from your bosom, sometimes I suffer from distractions like why does God cause things like tornadoes and train wrecks?" make it apparent that the singer is experiencing a moment of intimacy with their partner, but their mind is unable to completely focus on the act due to existential questions that plague them. The lyrics seem to suggest that despite the fact that the singer is completely entranced by their partner, their mind continues to wander to other seemingly important things like natural disasters and alien life.
Line by Line Meaning
When I'm sampling from your bosom
When I am enjoying the pleasures of being with you
Sometimes I suffer from distractions like why does God cause things like tornadoes and train wrecks?
At times, I get sidetracked and wonder about the reasons for natural disasters caused by God
When I'm swimming in your ocean
When I am immersed in your love
Floating aloft on creams and scented lotions
Feeling weightless and comforted in your presence
I can get pretty side-tracked, I hope you'll understand
I may lose focus due to my overwhelming feelings, I hope you will be patient with me
When I kneel before your bounty
When I am humbled by your generosity and love
Sometimes I wonder if there could be really UFOs that come from other planets
Sometimes I allow my mind to wander and consider the possibility of extraterrestrial life
And when you let me taste your fingers
When I am given the opportunity to cherish even the smallest gestures of your love
I take them like fruit and as I linger I wonder if my seed will find purchase in your soil
I cherish your love and hope for a future with you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRAD ROBERTS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Loke
[Intro]
When I'm sampling from your bosom
Sometimes I suffer from distractions like
Why does God cause things like tornadoes and train wrecks?
[Hook]
When I'm swimming in
When I'm swimming in your ocean
Floating aloft on creams
And scented lotions
I can get pretty side-tracked
I hope you'll understand
[Verse 1]
When I kneel before your bounty
Sometimes I wonder if there could be really
UFO's that come from other planets
[Hook]
When I'm swimming in
When I'm swimming in your ocean
Floating aloft on creams
And scented lotions
I can get pretty side-tracked
I hope you'll understand
Marcelo de Assis
My God!!! The instrumental part is simply FANTASTIC!!!!!
Jamie Reed
these guys were incredible so underrated,the band's talent for writing music is amazing once you've heard how it's all arranged
Silver Dream Machine
Rich Farrell, awesome brother 👊😎👍
Rich Farrell
Just saw them live. They are still rocking it.
Jacob O’Brien
Massively underrated... At least Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm got a fair bit of notice haha
Eric Clark
Absolutely unforgettable sound coming out of the voice box
Jamie Reed
maeg fry thanks Marg glad u like them cause that album is awesome
Shabbaloobiedoobie
I'm so thankful that I grew up in a household where my dad would play this album and Pink Floyd every Sunday. Now I am 27 and these songs bring me back to my beginning and wonderful childhood. I am forever grateful.
Tom Derri
ive seen this comment 2 years after you posted it, but my father did the exact same thing! so grateful!
bailey
i remember when i was little my dad showed me this album, and it was played everywhere. it holds a nostalgic place in my heart for sure.