Dixon is considered to be one of the key producers of what is called the jangle pop movement of the early 1980s. He spent thirteen years as a member of NC cult heroes Arrogance. Around 1983, Dixon attracted attention by co-producing with Mitch Easter, R.E.M.'s landmark debut LP Murmur. He then spent several years producing the work of varied artists including Chris Stamey (formerly of The dB's) and The Smithereens. Considered to be a highlight of this period was Tommy Keene's Run Now EP. This success led to Dixon recording his solo debut Most of the Girls Like to Dance But Only Some of the Boys Like To, a further affirmation of his love of classic pop melodies and spiky, Nick Lowe-inspired wordplay.
Dixon is married to the singer Marti Jones.
In 2006, Dixon released his first new album in six years, The Entire Combustible World in One Small Room.
Currently Dixon is producing the follow up album for Babyshaker. The Charlotte based hard rock glam band is recording their sophmore effort at the legendary Milestone Club, in Charlotte N.C.
All I Wanted
Don Dixon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I say, "Who told you that bullshit?", and you can kiss my ass
Life is long and life is painful, life is full of abstract rules
If I had gotten all I wanted I'd still wanted everything from you
All I wanted was the ocean
All I wanted was the sky
All I wanted was eternity to live and never die
All I wanted was the apple
All I wanted was my cool electric image on TV
All I wanted was devotion
All I wanted was false pride
All I wanted was obscurity with favor 'till I died
All I wanted was acceptance
All I wanted was pure love
All I wanted was discretion from the angels high above
All I wanted was the laughter
All I wanted were the tears
All I wanted was the question mark of living with my fears
All I wanted was contagious
All I wanted was disease
All I wanted was? afraid? by everything I? didn't read?
So go away, leave the door open, then you go
(Feel the moon will pull you under, feel the moon, it's grace to give (Feel the moon))
(Feel the moon will pull you under (Feel the moon) (Feel the moon) feel the water and the wind)
The lyrics of Don Dixon's All I Wanted juxtapose conflicting viewpoints on life, with one party alleging it is only a fleeting moment, while the other argues it is long and arduous. The opening line of "life is just an instant, just a bubble in a glass" portrays life as transient and implausible. Simultaneously, the retort, "Who told you that bullshit?, and you can kiss my ass" contests this belief, denoting the invalidity of such a proposition. The song's chorus, "All I wanted was the ocean, all I wanted was the sky, all I wanted was eternity to live and never die" illustrates a yearning for things that are vast and eternal, suggesting that maybe the songwriter desires the same qualities for life.
The song's verses demonstrate the totality of the songwriter's wishes, ranging from "devotion" and "pure love" to "contagious" and "disease." These desires presented contradict one another, expressing the complexity of human needs and wants. Dixon suggests that while humans often desire what they don't have, attaining these things doesn't necessarily bring satisfaction. The lyric, "if I had gotten all I wanted, I'd still want everything from you," suggests that, regardless of what an individual may attain, they will always desire more, whether that is love, compassion, or acceptance. Furthermore, the song's ending reflects on the capricious nature of life and the inevitability of change, encapsulated in the line, "feel the moon will pull you under," signifying that life moves, changes, and takes people in different directions, whether they want it to or not.
Line by Line Meaning
You say life is just an instant, just a bubble in a glass
You believe that life is short and insignificant, like a tiny bubble in a glass
I say, "Who told you that bullshit?", and you can kiss my ass
I strongly disagree with your belief and think it's nonsensical
Life is long and life is painful, life is full of abstract rules
Life is actually long and can be challenging, and there are many unclear and subjective rules
If I had gotten all I wanted I'd still wanted everything from you
Even if I had achieved everything I thought I wanted, I would still have wanted you above all else
All I wanted was the ocean
I desired the vastness and beauty of the ocean
All I wanted was the sky
I desired the endless expanse and wonder of the sky
All I wanted was eternity to live and never die
I desired immortality and the ability to avoid death forever
All I wanted was the apple
I desired the forbidden fruit and the knowledge it would bring
All I wanted was the tree
I desired the source of the forbidden fruit and the mysteries it held
All I wanted was my cool electric image on TV
I desired fame and recognition through modern media
All I wanted was devotion
I desired the loyalty and dedication of others towards me
All I wanted was false pride
I desired an inflated and unrealistic sense of self-importance
All I wanted was obscurity with favor 'till I died
I desired to remain unnoticed by the world, but still have the respect of those who knew me
All I wanted was acceptance
I desired to be welcomed and loved by others for who I am
All I wanted was pure love
I desired unconditional and genuine love from another person
All I wanted was discretion from the angels high above
I desired the guidance and protection of heavenly beings with wisdom and care
All I wanted was the laughter
I desired the joy and amusement that comes with happiness and humor
All I wanted were the tears
I desired the emotional depth and richness that comes with sorrow and sadness
All I wanted was the question mark of living with my fears
I desired the uncertainty and challenge of confronting and overcoming my own fears
All I wanted was contagious
I desired to have a significant impact on others, through my ideas or message
All I wanted was disease
I desired to experience the darker, more painful aspects of life as well
All I wanted was? afraid? by everything I? didn't read?
The meaning of this line is unclear, but it suggests a fear of the unknown or unread
So go away, leave the door open, then you go
I am willing to let go of things or people that do not bring me true happiness or fulfillment
(Feel the moon will pull you under, feel the moon, it's grace to give (Feel the moon))
The moon represents the cyclical nature of life and the forces beyond our control
(Feel the moon will pull you under (Feel the moon) (Feel the moon) feel the water and the wind)
The water and wind represent the power and movement of life, and how we are swept along by it
Writer(s): DON A DIXON
Contributed by Anna D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.