Forest for the Trees was the solo trip hop project of musician and producer… Read Full Bio ↴Forest for the Trees was the solo trip hop project of musician and producer Carl Stephenson. The project released one self-titled album in 1997 before Stephenson discontinued his recording career.

Stephenson is best known as a music producer and songwriter; He co-produced Beck's 1993 album "Mellow Gold" and co-wrote the album's hit single "Loser".

Started by Carl Stephenson in 1993, Forest for the Trees has produced only a single full length album during its duration. Self-titled, the album was released in 1997 after being delayed by a nervous breakdown that kept Stephenson from working on it for several years. Forest for the Trees produced only one single of note entitled "Dream". Forest for the Trees was comprised of many musicians, including John "coz" Acosta, Beck, Papa Bear Martinez, Mark Petersen, Jasper & Amadeus amongst others. One album remains unreleased, which being shelved by the now-defunct DreamWorks Records.

Carl Stephenson (also known as Karl Stephenson), is a well-known producer of hip-hop music (Ghetto Boyz, College Boyz, MC Skat KAt) as well as Alternative Rock bands (Beck, devices). His success was assured in co-writing the international hit 'Loser' from Beck's debut album 'Mellow Gold' as well as assuring production duties and co-writing several other songs with the artist. He also has his own group, an organic conglomerate known as Forest for the Trees on DreamWorks Records. "Dream" is an eclectic work of Multicultural diversity. Carl Stephenson is definitely an artist whose music was before its time. Will Dream or Forest for the Trees be re released in the next few years? One could only hope because there is a wealth of musicians than can learn from the master mixing styles of Carl Stephenson. As far as some of his new projects one of his newest singles includes music from The Young and Elderly Music Recycling Stand Band. The song "I Like to Recycle," is one song out of a brilliant collection of songs regarding the environment. It is featured on a collaborative album with several famous artists. Carl Stephenson is working on several projects with several different artists and bands including The Papa Bear Band, RedBone, Squeaky G from the College Boys and Housewives On Prozac. Carl is infamous for his collaborative endeavors and his altruistic nature. He is also working on a collaborative album to help fund projects for the The Tree Of Life Guardianship, which is a fairly new non profit organization which is aiding in the conservation and preservation of indigenous cultures.

The Dream
Forest for the Trees Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

We are all here in the act of creation
Let's fly away on our imagination
You take me to the highest heights
and into the depths of the deepest abyss

When I am dreaming, I don't know if
I'm truly asleep or if I'm awake
And when I get up, I don't know if I'm

truly awake, or if I'm still dreaming

Dream, Dream, Dream, Dream, life is
but a dream
Traveling the waves of an infiinite ocean
I feel the deepest emotion
I see a shadow of reality
Please hold me closely and take me away

I'm the first person
you're the second person
Earlier today I was in the third person
Stop cursing, start diversing
Oedipus is bliss
the sunshine will affect your mind
Stretch it out, don't doubt the amount
my brain is caught
I'm just blessed

Trip hoppin', so I flow like a stream
It's just a dream

Overall Meaning

The song "Dream" by Forest for the Trees is a mesmerizing piece that takes us on a journey of imagination and creativity. The opening lines "We are all here in the act of creation, Let's fly away on our imagination" immediately sets the tone for the song. It speaks to the idea that everyone is capable of creating something new, that we all have the power to shape our lives and our world based on our own imaginations. The lyrics are a call to embrace creativity and to let go of fear and doubt, to explore the highest heights and deepest abysses of our minds.

The chorus of the song is a repeat of the word "Dream," emphasizing the idea that life is but a dream. This takes us back to the idea of imagination and the power of the mind to shape our reality. The next verse speaks to the emotion that comes with exploring the infinite ocean of life, the highs and lows of existence. The reference to a shadow of reality is an acknowledgement that everything we experience is filtered through our own perceptions and biases. The line "Please hold me closely and take me away" is a plea for connection, for someone to help us navigate the complexities of life.

The final verse is a departure from the previous verses, shifting from introspection to commentary on society. The singer refers to himself as the first person, the listener as the second person, and earlier in the day was in the third person. This is a reference to changing perspectives and the importance of not getting stuck in a limited worldview. The line "Stop cursing, start diversing" is a call to action, urging us to stop complaining and start exploring new paths. The reference to Oedipus is a nod to Greek mythology and the idea that ignorance can be blissful. The song concludes with the line "It's just a dream," reminding us that life is a fleeting illusion and that we should strive to make the most of it while we can.

Line by Line Meaning

We are all here in the act of creation
We exist to create and experience life

Let's fly away on our imagination
Let's use our imagination to explore new possibilities

You take me to the highest heights
You inspire me to reach new heights

and into the depths of the deepest abyss
And help me face my deepest fears

When I am dreaming, I don't know if
When I dream, it's hard to tell

I'm truly asleep or if I'm awake
Whether I'm awake or asleep

And when I get up, I don't know if I'm
Even upon waking, it's unclear

truly awake, or if I'm still dreaming
Whether I'm awake or still in a dream

Dream, Dream, Dream, Dream, life is
The recurring theme of this ambiguous reality

but a dream
This life may be nothing more than a dream

Traveling the waves of an infiinite ocean
Life is a vast, infinite journey

I feel the deepest emotion
I'm deeply moved by this experience

I see a shadow of reality
I glimpse a fleeting reflection of the truth

Please hold me closely and take me away
I need comfort and guidance

I'm the first person
I experience reality from my perspective

you're the second person
You're someone else's perspective

Earlier today I was in the third person
At one point, I observed from an outside perspective

Stop cursing, start diversing
Stop wasting time and start exploring new things

Oedipus is bliss
Sometimes ignorance is bliss

the sunshine will affect your mind
The environment influences your thoughts and emotions

Stretch it out, don't doubt the amount
Push yourself further, without hesitation

my brain is caught
My thoughts are consumed by this experience

I'm just blessed
I'm grateful for this life

Trip hoppin', so I flow like a stream
I feel like I'm drifting along, carried by the current

It's just a dream
This may not be reality

Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BAJ JASPR, KEVIN KRAKOWER, CARL STEPHENSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Rica

Where is Carl now?

Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@DanielprattCoUk

8y↑3

All forest for the trees music now uploaded and in playlists:

Single:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYksOVLEjlhpTvC0PEjJk4HbRjoF6QpIl

EP:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYksOVLEjlhqJNSE0o7IbZ7cdQZT2aGf-

Everything Released:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYksOVLEjlhpqJWJbBcMS9iEuh1JXuGzx

Enjoy!

@zem41

7y↑21

I'm the first person
You're the second person
Earlier today I was in the third person
I'm the first person
You're the second person
Earlier today I was in the third person
Stop cursing, start diversing
Oedipus is bliss
The sunshine'll affect your mind
Expand your thoughts, Stretch it out
Don't doubt the amount
My brain is caught
I'm jazz blessed
Trip hoppin' so I flow like a stream
It's just a dream

We are all here in the act of creation
Let's fly away on our imagination
You take me to the highest heights
And into the depths of the deepest abyss

When I am dreaming, I don't know if
I'm truly asleep or if I'm awake
When I get up, I don't know if I'm
Truly awake or if I'm still dreaming

Dream, Dream, Dream, Dream...
Life is but a dream
Traveling the waves of an infinite ocean
I feel the deepest emotion
I see a shadow of reality
Please hold me closely and take me away

When I am dreaming, I don't know if
I'm truly asleep or if I'm awake
When I get up, I don't know if I'm
Truly awake or if I'm still dreaming

I'm the first person
You're the second person
Earlier today I was in the third person
Stop cursing, start diversing
Oedipus is bliss
The sunshine'll affect your mind
Expand your thoughts, Stretch it out
Don't doubt the amount
My brain is caught
I'm jazz blessed
Trip hoppin' so I flow like a stream
It's just a dream

When I am dreaming, I don't know if
I'm truly asleep or if I'm awake
When I get up, I don't know if I'm
Truly awake or if I'm still dreaming

All comments from YouTube:

@jamesharris9528

3y↑23

Out of nowhere this song got in my head from over 20 years ago. I can't believe I found it. We're getting old aren't we.

@TheBoundBowman

Saaaaame!

@cemsengul16

37w

I heard it in a movie and had to get it.

@blastradius7193

27w↑1

Me too! I'll be 46 next summer and all this 90s music is resurfacing in my head out of seemingly nowhere

@DanielprattCoUk

22w

Which movie was that?

@cph714

2y↑7

still a great song in 2022

@Hortonscakes

8y↑33

This ALBUM...I was 16 when I bought this, and it was enlightening. 20 years later, this album is still my favorite.

@Hortonscakes

8y↑2

to the person that made this album available in it's entirety, thank you, thank you, thank you!

@DanielprattCoUk

+Rebecca Hege-Horton You're very welcome :) I've been meaning to do it for a while because of the impact it had on me. I actually found some other music that may involve Carl/Karl Stephenson. I'll have to add it to the description when I relocate the links.

@DanielprattCoUk

8y↑2

FYI, I've started uploading the Dream single and The Sound Of Wet Paint EP. I'm hoping to be finished this evening (GMT).

@DanielprattCoUk

8y↑3

@Hortonscakes

If it weren't for this guy, Beck wouldn't be a household name

3 More Replies...

@InertiaCreeps

7y↑39

I was a college DJ when this came out. I was one of the 1st people in the US to play this on the radio.

@udsmall7306

eh I thought you were slinging deals in the metaverse while actually living in a storage shed... 😁😉😅

@PatVu

2y↑5

I grew up in Singapore where pirated DVDs (vcds) were super common. Sometimes to bulk out the runtime of the second disk they'd throw a few music videos in at the end. This song came right after my dodgy copy of Event Horizon. That film scared me so much as a kid that this song was the perfect way to cut the tension. Started watching the movie tonight on Prime Video and immediately got flashbacks to this safety blanket of a song. Thanks for uploading!

@DanielprattCoUk

22w

Possibly the greatest sci fi horror of all time but yeah absolutely terrifying as a kid!

@TheYowaiskiFish

6y↑16

This is one of those songs that one hears and becomes something special . I remember where I was one I first heard it.

@oddishthoughts

And where were you?

@ImperatorScab

7y↑15

Sometimes, as a musician, I hear music that makes me wonder what I've been doing with my life. Sometimes I hear something so amazing it makes me feel super amateur again. This music has done this to me. Thanks for uploading it!

@satann3357

6y↑26

Bagpipes and sitars ..... these kids were way beyond their years..

@Risingson2

3y↑2

Martyn Bennet released his first album at that time, so I think it was part of the zeitgeist. That it was normal in 1995 to mix bagpipes, sitars and electric guitars. It was the 00s what made music duller :(

@jimmbobb

43w

And Didgeridoo!!!!

@maxarturo2031

3y↑5

Wow i can't believe i found this song, has been decades when I hear this song the last time to the point to think this never existed... Thank you for sharing this on youtube.

@lauraren8776

5y↑8

I listened to the CD nearly 20 years ago. When I found it on YouTube yesterday, I still loved it so much! Thanks for uploading

@geeksvendetta5333

1y↑3

1 of the best songs frrom the 90s 💗

@rainbowgothguy

2y↑2

I grew up listening to this album because my mother heard it on the radio in the 90s. This was always a favorite. Thought it was a fever dream! Lol. But nope. Thanks for uploading this song!

@CarrotFlowers421

1y↑2

My friend showed me this song, saying he heard it on the radio in the 90’s and got the album cuz it was so good. I agree and wonder why this wasn’t playing on KNDD The End in the early 2000s. I would’ve tracked it down too.

@ejhGoBrowns

4y↑5

holy sh#t, i bought this cd in 1997 and my brain had kept this (without my knowledge) deep in cold storage for 22 years ...

@danielrierson6683

It’s weird I have not heard it once since 1997. Until I YouTubed the beginning lyrics

@davidsaninactor

13w

I love this song. FOREST FOR THE TREES please come back whit your music!!!! Please!!!

@badrockxxx

7y↑31

OMG I have spent years trying to find this song ever since I heard a piece of it on the Howard Stern show back in 97 or 98!!!! Never knew what the title or who the artist was.

@DanielprattCoUk

7y↑1

Glad to have helped someone else reconnect with this awesome music :)

@InertiaCreeps

7y↑4

I was one of the first people to ever play this track. I got it as a promo single back when I was a college DJ at KMSA Radio. There was a brief blip in the 90's with wonderfully lush, yet bright sound like this. I wish there had been more.

@DanielprattCoUk

7y↑2

It's influenced pretty much all music I've made since I heard it but it's damn hard work to replicate anything like it.

@mikepatrick1970

6y↑1

I heard it in the trailer for The Peacemaker. Took years to figure it out who did it.

@CatLives9

6y↑1

That chorus is UNFORGETTABLE. I love the obscure one hitters of the 90's.

5 More Replies...

@1988TheGoods

19w

I knew Carl as a kid; my dad was at Evergreen State College with him for music. He went out to visit Carl in Spokane, WA several years ago, but Carl's struggles with mental illness made it pretty difficult to sustain a friendship after I was like 10-12 yo.
Carl, and my dad for that matter, have always had pretty unique ways of thinking from others; I wish they both could have better harnessed that.
My dad ended up in software, but it was still nice to grow up around the music they were into.

@Flixbusters

3y↑1

I randomly bought this album on CD in 2003 and have had it ever since.
I really dug it. This song got me right off the bat!

@karlw90

17w

I can't believe I remember and found this. I actually own the CD. Yea I'm at a Gen Xer so this came out when I was in college, heard it on Q101 in Chicago and bought the CD at Tower Records the next day. Great memories.

@zem41

7y↑21

@violeberdon4376

I've listened to this song and "Oedipus is bliss" isn't a recognizable phrase for me... I'm hispanic, so I couldn't tell what does it say. Are you sure it's right?

@Squirrelconga

2y↑7

Underrated album! 💯🥇

@user-ve6jg8sb1q

37w

Yes, i think so.

@ronnieadams3086

3y↑3

i love this album!!

@agalarzalopez

7y↑6

What a great song!!!

@alannigenda3920

4y↑4

This is wicked good.

@johngreenlees9843

1y↑1

Brilliant....the pipes

@silentevil77

6y↑3

Omg the memories ❤️❤️

@rolzwild8150

8y↑8

Wow! This album was one great experience, when I first tried LSD

@TheRavenOne

35w

I'm amazed. 🌲
And i wasn't dreaming.

@shylapellandini

7y↑5

Oh my! This is amazing

@bigguys45s29

4y↑1

Written and produced by Karl Stephenson, who also produced, “Loser” for Beck.

@udsmall7306

5y↑1

ahhh...great memories of snowboarding on HUGE powder days here in the great Pac NW!
🌲🗻↘🏂 Damn I miss the 90's 😞
This track and Sky Cries Mary's "This Timeless Turning" are just perfect to cruise to... 🎼🎧🏂

@gustavoballeste8138

4y↑3

I was searching this on Spotfy and... Where is it? Classic album of late 90's

@andrewmaier1558

1y↑1

found this CD inna thrift store, glad i did.

@GR4V3ST4R

51w

I bought a cd of this when i was like 16 at some store i feel like it was hastings im 25 now such a wild sound

@Shanno-B

44w

My childhood was awesome

@davehard7359

8y↑4

Thanks buddy:) me and my bois used to roll to this song .aka molly for the young crowd. good times

@udsmall7306

boarding on ex (first time)...the snow crystals sparkling down through the trees in the sun...

@alejandro200007

Saludos desde lima peru lo escucho despues de 24 años . Sono fuerte en el verano de 1998 en radio miraflores

@AntoinetteChanel

7y↑15

1997❤️

@DanielprattCoUk

Agreed :)

@udsmall7306

I was there... 😅

@johnschnell5345

7y↑5

Holy fuck i'm buying a bagpipe just to learn that riff

@DanielprattCoUk

Pleeease do and tell me how that goes :)

@luisditaa

4y↑1

This song reminds me of my dad.

@user-qm9gh4zg1d

48w

FANTASTICO !!!!!

@jimmbobb

42w

Bagpipes, sitars, and didgeridoos, OH MY!!! ❤️❤️❤️

@InertiaCreeps

7y↑2

Swwweeett! Thanks for posting this up! Oh how I wish this was in 1080!!!!!!!!

@DanielprattCoUk

I was thinking the same thing and did high res scans for the other Forest for the Trees CDs I uploaded. I'll put a link to the high res version of this in the description so you can have a peek :)

@InertiaCreeps

FanDan - Not seeing a link?

@DanielprattCoUk

Sorry - I was on the wrong computer at the time and am again! I'll upload them when I'm on the right one and will let you know when the link is there.

@aaronm1121

Por fin la encontré!

@DarlingPhenylethylamine

5y↑4

This CD was sent to me by mistake in the post some months ago. Not a bad mistake right?

@good2btheking

44w

Stunningly wonderful song. I wish it had made it to the Matrix movie soundtracks.

@interstellar8446

3y↑1

Heya FanDan, is this available on an original record?
would you know?

@DanielprattCoUk

I just bought everything from Amazon on CD

@interstellar8446

@@DanielprattCoUk oh nice, is it of high quality format/bitrate would you know?

@DanielprattCoUk

@@interstellar8446 I've only found it on CD so its 44.1khz 16-bit

@d.m.l.4269

8y↑3

dope

@gillescoin6701

3y↑3

To think that almost no Beck-lover knows this song... :'(

@DanielprattCoUk

3y↑1

I know it's so upsetting lol

@MAndrews-yd7nn

40w

Forest for the Trees and Mellow Gold were two of my favorite albums in the 90's. It was not until recently that I knew they were related in any way.

@mirrortime

3y↑3

Why this album wasn't #1 round the world still makes no sense.

@groovezoneolywa

4y↑1

he resurfaces into the public eye tomorrow afternoon at 4 pm pacific on neo retro fm, an online radio station based out of olympia, wa...his first interview in over 20+ years..amazing stuff! and he's putting out music again! direct stream for the interview tomorrow is https://www.streamcontrol.net:8444/s/10050

@DanielprattCoUk

That's awesome, thanks for the heads-up! Will there be any way to find the interview after it airs?

@groovezoneolywa

4y↑1

@@DanielprattCoUk ir just hit podcast form about an hour ago...here's the link to the first part, that will lead to the other three on the same site...https://www.buzzsprout.com/726894/5825884-neo-retro-fm-martian-forest-service-the-return-of-ed-tailorpatch-10-09-20-pt-1

@DanielprattCoUk

@@groovezoneolywa Ed Taylorpatch? Pretty sure the guy who made Forest for the Trees is called Carl/Karl Stephenson.

@groovezoneolywa

4y↑1

@@DanielprattCoUk if you know the story behind FFTT, you'll totally understand the reasoning, as well as see the connection with the forests in both. this is by far one of the more interesting stories in rock history, and not many people will get it right away. ed tailorpatch is a pseudonym, and like i said, you have to look a little deeper than the surface to see that it's the same force behind both. i won't use this forum to debate or explain anything, if you'd like to contact me off of this thread, please do.

@LiSaLi2

i can't remember where i heard this song it just popped up here..lol

@scottucf

Anyone know where I can download this song? One of my faves - lost the CD a few years ago and can’t find this song or the album for download anywhere. Ugh

@20000wattsRSL

16w↑1

🍄🍄🍄🍄

@MarkGoldbridgesBiggestFan

thank you howard stern

@natrapheemongkolsawan3235

Back pasting time to Paris Agreement.. any 💭 througt.. What's a year about!

@cruiser7295

4y↑1

Hey do you happen to know of any recorded live performances of them?

@DanielprattCoUk

I wish! I think the production and recording process involved a lot of research and contributers so they'd have to reverse engineer the whole thing to play it live.

@DanielprattCoUk

There's a possibility these are related: https://www.alderdancemusic.com/

@cruiser7295

4y↑1

FanDan those definitely are related, that’s Carl’s publishing company. “Ernest” is him I think. Also, I was doing some digging and it looks like they played at Coachella in 2002. I can’t find a video though but it looks like a pretty big gig.

@JoseAlonsoCardenas

The completion of the album was delayed 4 years because Stephenson suffered a nervous breakdown. These unique psychedelic hop sounds hit 1997 airwaves with this little gem and the rest is history.

@danielmifsud1347

Hello do you have the island groove remix of this song please? Thanks and good day.

@DanielprattCoUk

I didn't know such a thing existed! The only version I have is the edited version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioifvMmHS5E

@DanielprattCoUk

In fact, it looks like you can get it here: https://www.discogs.com/Forest-For-The-Trees-Dream/release/1174290

@gcloud1970

Any reason why I can’t find this on itunes

@DanielprattCoUk

I think the publisher doesn't exist anymore

@gcloud1970

@@DanielprattCoUk that is too bad, great album.

@ricabailey1646

Where is Carl/Karl Stephensen now (2022). Seems to have vanished from internet!

@DanielprattCoUk

22w

I think he's back to producing, making music in a more communal folky setting. Also, he left the institution before finally releasing the Forest for the Trees album. I keep thinking about how ahead of of everyone it would have been had it come out in 1993 when it was finished instead of when he got out. Also, just found out that they played Coachella in 2002 - unfortunately I can't find a recording though!

@elenam8847

4y↑1

Art work by Mark Walter Schultz

@superhijonico

I was 18 when a listened this song the first time in 2009 hahaha! No i’m 28 almost 29

@superhijonico

Now*

@alcidesymarilu

1998

@d.m.l.4269

8y↑1

soooy un perdedooor im a loser baby!

@markanderson1282

First off you forgot to send the Magic Mushrooms with the "silly side on" that are supposed to be consumed before ;listening

Second...I don't think I've ever heard a song that had both bag pipes and a didjeridu

Third....I'm almost sure it gave me a concussion

@jayowenrobinson9992

woot! im #700 :P

@jturner1883

40w↑1

Yah he supposedly inspired beck yup yup

@scottlarsh3119

3y↑3

I bought the album in 1997 and was disappointed. This is the only good track on the disc. "Infinite Cow" is alright but not worth.
This track is hype happy

@UltraPOPDJ

2y↑1

Now, I know why the LP only got to #190 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart and spent only ONE week there! Thank you!

@natrapheemongkolsawan3235

A thought of Evolutionary of Charles Darwin 's theory :how might we so care about King Rama VIIII ( ๙ ) & FAO (alike a World :Food Organization : That UN. by seacretery Mr. Kofi Annan give to His Majesty Bhomipol to Thai people,..& to the World!

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