A former Parisian street sweeper and nursery school gym teacher no less, Julian was plucked from relative obscurity for last year's debut 'The Planeteer' which was released after he was discovered on MySpace and found himself at the centre of a record company bidding war. Almost without warning, the album became a hit with critics and tastemakers, with The Sunday Times calling it "A tantalising prospect. Catchy but complicated; a surprisingly rare combination" and Time Out comparing him to Harry Nilsson and Tom Waits. In the interim between the two albums Julian busied himself penning songs for other emerging new artists, including Olly Murs (who's just had the biggest UK debut album this year).
When the time came to make the new record, Julian decided he wanted to try something completely different. 'Mr. Saturday Night' has all the hallmarks of a classic pop record, whilst turning the singer-songwriter stereotype on its head and swapping sincerity for sarcasm. Influenced by 70's Elton John and packed with the sort of brazenly brilliant tunes that could make Robbie Williams green with envy, it's classic piano pop with a Broadway makeover. All performed by the fictional bow-tie wearing character of Julian's own invention named - Mr Saturday Night, of course. Writing the album in London helped with inspiration drawn from British theatricality, light-heartedness and the sheer joy of straightforward pop music; it sounds like it was as enjoyable to make, as it is to listen to.
Julian ensures his live show is as much about him as a character, as it is about his music, "Banter is about 85% of my live show for better or worse," he smiles wryly. "I have disabled my internal filter! Every time a thought comes into my head on stage, I let it out."
It's definitely the songs that stand out above it all though on 'Mr. Saturday Night'. Beyond the bow-ties and the wry asides, beyond the lyrical twists and the clever story telling the album shows, it's Julian's songwriting at its very best, encompassing his influences, distinctive personality and overwhelming love of a good tune.
A Dream
Julian Velard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The dream took place inside a zoo
You were openin' cages, settin' animals free
You released every beast, every beast but me
Last night I had a dream about love
It was everything I’d been dreamin' of
It was a fabulous party, lots of balloons
Last night I had a dream about God
And he played piano like Elton John
He was makin' a comeback, he was sellin' out shows
I was the openin' act, you were sittin' in the front row
Don’t get me wrong, I know you’re gone
But in my mind, sometimes the facts are not so clear
In my mind, sometimes I think you’re still here
Last night I had a dream I was dead
Somebody put an arrow through my head
They were goin' for the apple but I guess that they missed
Couldn’t help be reminded of the first time we kissed
Kissed, kissed, yeah, yeah, yeah
Last night I had the strangest dream
And I’m not exactly sure what it means
We were out havin' coffee and I got up to go
When you asked me to stay and my body just froze
I didn’t know what to say, didn’t know what to do
Last night I had a dream, babe
Had a dream about you
I had a dream about you
Had a dream about you
The lyrics to Julian Velard's song "A Dream" appear to be about different dreams the singer had that involve the person they miss. In the first dream, the person is freeing animals in a zoo, but they leave the singer behind. This can represent the feeling of being left out or left behind by the person that is missed. The second dream is about love and how the singer had everything they ever dreamed of in a relationship, except for the person they miss. The third dream is about the person dreaming about God playing the piano like Elton John and them being the opening act, with the person they miss sitting in the front row. This dream may symbolize how the person they miss is always present, even if not physically in their life.
The fourth dream is about the singer being dead and someone putting an arrow through their head. This dream seems to represent how the person feels after losing the one they miss, as if they are not the same person they were before. The fifth dream is about having coffee with the person they miss and attempting to leave, but being asked to stay and feeling confused. This dream may represent the internal struggle of the singer and their conflicting feelings for the person they miss.
Overall, the song appears to be a reflection of the singer's emotions and thoughts about the person they miss. The dreams they have may represent the different stages of their grief and healing process.
Line by Line Meaning
Last night I had a dream about you
I had a dream last night and you were in it
The dream took place inside a zoo
The dream was set in a zoo
You were openin' cages, settin' animals free
In the dream, you were freeing animals by opening their cages
You released every beast, every beast but me
You let every animal go except me
Last night I had a dream about love
I had a dream about love last night
It was everything I’d been dreamin' of
The dream was everything I wanted in love
It was a fabulous party, lots of balloons
The dream had a great party atmosphere with lots of balloons
Was everybody, everybody but you
Everyone was there except for you
Last night I had a dream about God
I dreamed about God last night
And he played piano like Elton John
In the dream, God played the piano like Elton John
He was makin' a comeback, he was sellin' out shows
God was making a comeback and had sold-out concerts
I was the openin' act, you were sittin' in the front row
I was the opening act and you were sitting in the front row
Don’t get me wrong, I know you’re gone
I am aware that you are not here anymore
But in my mind, sometimes the facts are not so clear
Sometimes in my mind, things get blurry
In my mind, sometimes I think you’re still here
Sometimes in my mind, I feel like you are still with me
Last night I had a dream I was dead
I had a dream that I was dead last night
Somebody put an arrow through my head
In the dream, someone shot an arrow through my head
They were goin' for the apple but I guess that they missed
The shooter was aiming for the apple on my head but missed
Couldn’t help be reminded of the first time we kissed
The dream reminded me of the first time we kissed
Last night I had the strangest dream
I had a really weird dream last night
And I’m not exactly sure what it means
I am not sure of the meaning of the dream
We were out havin' coffee and I got up to go
In the dream, we were out having coffee and I had to leave
When you asked me to stay and my body just froze
When you asked me to stay, I felt frozen and didn't know what to do
I didn’t know what to say, didn’t know what to do
I was feeling unsure and didn't know how to respond
Last night I had a dream, babe
Last night I had a dream, my love
Had a dream about you
The dream was about you
I had a dream about you
I had a dream about you
Contributed by Chase E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Wendy Peterson
Such a talented Musician. His lyrics and the melody can almost lull you to sleep but in the best way!!!! Like you know you're in safe hands. Like that.
trewmuzik
This fool needs to come home...I need to see him live!!
Nick N
Sharon Little recommended I check this out - the lyrics just flow so beautifully - I love this song 😎
Karob
This is really good
Merrily James
this is a wondeful song
Blues Clues
Awesm voice no doubt
Jesse Reynolds
Phenomenal
Sandra Wu Chou
greatness.
Paul Prescott
where can i buy your music, it not in HMV? (should be too!!!) arrrr.
Miranda Snook
This makes me miss you. I'll try hard for May ;)