In late 1970 Jim Messina, formerly of Poco and Buffalo Springfield, was working as an independent contract record producer for Columbia Records. It was then that he met a little-known studio artist who had written a few songs of his own, Kenny Loggins. Loggins was working as contract songwriter for The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Messina decided to produce Loggins' debut album. By the time all was said and done, Messina had contributed so much to the album, both instrumentally and vocally, that the effort was more of a Kenny Loggins album with Jim Messina sitting in. Thus an accidental duo was born. Their harmonies meshed so well that what was begun as a one-off album became an entity unto itself. So rather than simply producing Kenny Loggins as a solo act, in 1971 they both decided to form a duo, Loggins and Messina.
Over the course of the next four to five years they produced five original material albums, one album of covers of other artists' material and two live albums. One compilation album, a "best of", would be released after the duo had separated.
As is natural in most mentor type relationships, Loggins outgrew the duo over time. Within a few years he would feel the need to spread his wings and fly by his own right, and by 1976 the pair separated and pursued successful solo careers, with Loggins soon achieving the super-star status that he sought.
They reunited in 2005 for a compilation album of their greatest hits, which proved so successful that they decided to tour as a group again. The "Sittin' In Again" tour was launched in mid-2005 and played out the remainder of the year, proving that they hadn't lost the magic that made them famous in the first place.
Their backing band changed from album to album. Many albums featured backing members who were well know in their own right, such as Stephen Stills who contributed to their self-titled second album. Bryan Adams played guitar on the album Full Sail. John Townsend and Ed Sanford, later of the Sanford Townsend Band (Smoke from a Distant Fire) contributed vocals and songwriting to the Native Sons album.
Fever Dream
Loggins & Messina Lyrics
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Watching for signs from the sky
And we stand here, unaided,
Dumbfounded, frightened, fearful of the night
In the early rains of the dawn
In the early rains of the dawn For the early rain
Wonderment pours from our faces
And we see them, four horsemen, last judgement
Lord Apocalypse is nigh
In the early rains of the dawn
Too late to look towards tomorrow
Awaiting Your hand in farewell
And we stand here, unaided-
Dumdfounded waiting in eachothers arms,
In the early rains of the dawn
The lyrics to Loggins & Messina's song "Fever Dream" are a reflection of humanity's fear of the unknown and the approaching end of the world. The imagery suggests people watching and waiting for signs or a sign from the sky, perhaps a celestial occurrence that will alert them to the end's arrival. The line "And we stand here, unaided, dumbfounded, frightened, fearful of the night," reveals the vulnerability and uncertainty that exists during such times.
The lyrics are a warning about the dangers of not being prepared to face the inevitable. It's an urgent call for the listeners and people to wake up to the reality of the world's condition and embrace change. The four horsemen, the last judgement, and the Lord Apocalypse serve as symbols of the end of the world. The song's melody and lyrics convey the sense of urgency while also expressing the hopelessness and fear that come with the arrival of the apocalypse.
Line by Line Meaning
Stand back and See if they circle
We step back and observe if we are being watched by something flying above us.
Watching for signs from the sky
We are searching for indications of something significant about to happen from above the atmosphere.
And we stand here, unaided,
We are standing alone, without any external help or support.
Dumbfounded, frightened, fearful of the night
We are struck with confusion, terror, and apprehension as we face the dark and unknown future.
In the early rains of the dawn
This scene is taking place in the early hours of a rainy day.
Wonderment pours from our faces
Our faces show a mix of awe, amazement, and astonishment.
Thunder is born in our eyes
We are filled with alarm and apprehension, as if a storm is brewing in our eyes.
And we see them, four horsemen, last judgement
We witness four riders, a symbol of the final reckoning of humanity.
Lord Apocalypse is nigh
We believe that the end of the world is very close.
Too late to look towards tomorrow
It is too late for us to prepare for the future.
Awaiting Your hand in farewell
We are expecting to receive some form of final goodbye or farewell.
And we stand here, unaided-
We remain standing without any help or assistance.
Dumdfounded waiting in eachothers arms,
We embrace and wait together in a state of confusion and uncertainty.
In the early rains of the dawn
The scene remains set in the early hours of a rainy day.
Writer(s): Loggins Kenneth Clark, Muehleisen Maurice T
Contributed by Nora F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Anthony Miglore
on Wasting Our Time
You are the life (?) and I love you
And I'll never, ever, love by myself i think should be
You are my life and I love you
And I'll never, ever, walk by myself
Anthony Miglore
on Wasting Our Time
Chocolate (?), don't you be afraid of wasting our time s/b Try tryin', don't you be afraid of wasting our time
Anthony Miglore
on Wasting Our Time
Wanna turn around and listen to me? s/b Woman turn around and listen to me
Anthony Miglore
on Wasting Our Time
devil or ranger? (?) s/b devil or angel
Anthony Miglore
on Wasting Our Time
Or begin trying to change it? s/b Or begin trying to change ya'