After recording their debut single "Ode to a Forgetful Mind" in 1988, P.M. Dawn released their first album Of the Heart, of the Soul and of the Cross: The Utopian Experience in 1991 to critical acclaim. It achieved immediate commercial success because of its single "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss". Their 1993 follow-up The Bliss Album...? was also praised by critics and featured the hit singles "I'd Die Without You" and "Looking Through Patient Eyes". P.M. Dawn continued to receive strong reviews, but sold poorly with their subsequent albums Jesus Wept (1995) and Dearest Christian, I'm So Very Sorry for Bringing You Here. Love, Dad (1998).
The Cordes brothers' father died of pneumonia when they were children. Further family tragedy occurred when their baby brother, Duncan, drowned at the age of two. The two elder brothers were raised by their mother and their stepfather George Brown, a founding member of Kool & the Gang.
Prince Be began DJing parties and composing songs in ninth grade. Within a few years, he had determined to make a demo tape of some of those pieces with the $600 he had set aside from his after school job as a security guard at a homeless shelter. By then, he and his brother were putting in studio time as P.M. Dawn.
They first approached Tommy Boy Records, the rap music subsidiary of Warner Brothers, with their demo, but they were told that they were too much like alternative hip-hoppers De La Soul, and not hardcore or ghetto, and were turned away. Eventually, Warlock, an independent record label, issued a debut single, "Ode to a Forgetful Mind", in 1989, but it went unnoticed.
The record label that released the single in the United Kingdom, Gee Street Records, found greater success. Gee Street mixed and marketed the song so that it earned considerable attention from music reviewers, and P.M. Dawn found themselves courted not just by Gee Street's head, Jon Baker, but also by most of the major UK record labels. Gee Street brought the brothers to London in 1990 to record tracks for an album; however, the label found itself facing bankruptcy during the recording. The entire Gee Street operation, along with P.M. Dawn's recording contract, was sold to the highest bidder, Island Records. Island issued a few more singles in the United Kingdom before releasing their debut album, Of the Heart, of the Soul and of the Cross: The Utopian Experience.
Of the Heart, of the Soul and of the Cross featured the international hit "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss", which sampled the Spandau Ballet song "True", and featured a cameo by Spandau Ballet singer Tony Hadley in the music video of the song. "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss" hit #1 the week of November 30, 1991, and holds the distinction of being the first #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart following the introduction of Nielsen SoundScan to the chart. The song also reached #3 in the United Kingdom. "Paper Doll", which was one of the early singles Island released in the United Kingdom, was released in the US as a follow-up to "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss", and peaked at #28 in early 1992. "Paper Doll" is said well over 100 times in the song, which makes it second only to MC Hammer's "Pray", which holds the record for the most times a title is repeated in a US Top 40 hit (147).
With the success of their debut album, the band parted company with their manager Nick Hemmings and embarked on a world tour. During this world tour, a statement Prince Be made in Details magazine led Boogie Down Productions' KRS-One and his crew to storm the stage during a P.M. Dawn concert, forcing the group off the stage and performing three BDP classics. To warrant this reaction from KRS-One, Prince B had asked, "KRS-One wants to be a teacher, but a teacher of what?" Defending his motives to USA Today's James T. Jones IV, KRS-One remarked, "I answered his question. 'A teacher of what?' I'm a teacher of respect."
In 1992, P.M. Dawn appeared on the Red Hot Organization's compilation CD Red Hot + Dance, contributing the Richie Rich Mix of "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss". The album, featuring George Michael and Madonna among others, was meant to raise money and awareness in support of the AIDS epidemic.
Before releasing their follow-up album, The Bliss Albumā¦? (Vibrations of Love and Anger and the Ponderance of Life and Existence), P.M. Dawn contributed the single "I'd Die Without You" to the 1992 Eddie Murphy comedy Boomerang and its soundtrack. This #2 pop hit was also included on The Bliss Albumā¦?, as was the Billboard #2 pop hit "Looking Through Patient Eyes".
"Looking Through Patient Eyes" featured backing vocals by Cathy Dennis and sampled George Michael's hit "Father Figure". The music video for the song was shot in a church, and featured Christian images throughout ā most notably, Prince Be wore a T-shirt with "Thank you, Jesus" written across it in black lettering.
The Bliss Albumā¦? featured the Boy George duet "More Than Likely" and a cover of The Beatles' "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)". The album also included "So On and So On," which led to a 1999 sampling lawsuit. In the lawsuit Batiste v. Island Records, Inc., Paul and Michael Batiste claimed that P.M. Dawn's song "So On and So On" used unauthorized samples from David Batiste & The Gladiators' "Funky Soul". The fifth Circuit Federal Appellate Court found that the Batistes point to no evidence in the record demonstrating that consumers were confused or deceived by either the use of a digital sample of "Funky Soul" in "So On and So On", or the attribution to David Batiste as a co-author of the track. The Batistes' claim that Paul and Michael Batiste were improperly excluded from the liner notes accompanying the album also failed to suggest that consumers were confused, especially because the liner notes do credit the name of the band in which both Paul and Michael Batiste performed. Though Island Records won the lawsuit, the song was removed from subsequent releases of The Bliss Album and is no longer available for purchase in their publishing catalog.
P.M. Dawn contributed a cover of "You Got Me Floatin'" to the 1993 compilation album Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix. Artists ranging from Pat Metheny to Eric Clapton to Ice-T's Body Count were included.
Their 1995 album Jesus Wept was unable to attain the success of their first two albums. The album's highest charting single was "Downtown Venus", which contained a sample of Deep Purple's "Hush", and reached #48 on the Billboard chart. Also, in 1995, P.M. Dawn was credited with the remix of White Zombie's "Blood, Milk and Sky" (Miss September Mix) on the Supersexy Swingin' Sounds compilation album. In 1996, P.M. Dawn contributed "Non-Fiction Burning" to the AIDS benefit album Red Hot + Rio produced by the Red Hot Organization. In 1998, Prince Be contributed the tracks "Perfect for You" and "Gotta Be...Movin' on Up" to the Marlon Wayans and David Spade comedy Senseless, followed later in the year by P.M. Dawn's fourth album, Dearest Christian, I'm So Very Sorry for Bringing You Here. Love, Dad. It was less successful again, with the album's single, "Being So Not for You (I Had No Right)" being a minor chart hit.
In the same year, Jarret Cordes (DJ Minutemix) was accused of sexually abusing a 14-year old relative and was subsequently arrested in Burlington County. The girl is said to have been a "close relative".
In 2000, they released the compilation, The Best of P.M. Dawn. Through their website, they also began selling a mail-order-only album called Fucked Music on December 1, 2000. This was paired with a bonus CD, Unreleased Vol. 1, and a T-shirt.
Prince Be suffered a massive stroke in early 2005 that left him paralyzed on the left side of his body. Undeterred, P.M. Dawn appeared on NBC's Hit Me, Baby, One More Time, performing "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss", and covered Puddle of Mudd's "Blurry". Despite the fact that Prince Be was still suffering the effects of this stroke, they beat Animotion, Missing Persons, Juice Newton and Shannon to claim the $20,000 charitable prize, which they contributed to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, as Prince Be was a diabetic.
Following their appearance on Hit Me, Baby, One More Time, Minutemix was terminated for misconduct. This led to the introduction of the Cordes brothers' paternal first cousin, Gregory Lewis Carr II, known by his stage name Doc. G (also known as 'Dr. Giggles' or 'Blissboy #2'.)
On May 15, 2010, Prince Be's 40th birthday, Doc. G performed in Manila before an audience of 50,000 people and dedicated the performance to Guru of Gang Starr and Francis M.
On June 17, 2016, Prince Be died of renal disease at the age of 46.
Doc. G continues to perform and record music under the P.M. Dawn name. On April 6, 2018, Doc.G announced K-R.O.K. as a new member of P.M. Dawn.
Being So Not for You
P.M. Dawn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seem to know the difference faces
No matter what road you travel on
You go through the darkest places
I can't tell the angels it'll be good
For you
But wanting to say blesses be the
For bringing the life through
But I'd be lying to myself
I had no right bringing you here
Knowing what I know, feeling the way
I feel
I had no right being so uncontent,
Being so confused,
Being so not for you
You're in love with all that you don't know
It animates your expectations
But what's the easiest way to hurt a man
Give him all he's ever wanted
Trying to tell the angels I don't
Know what to do
While convincing myself to believe
All the sadness have purpose to
Makes me hate this
I had no right bringing you here
Knowing what I know, feeling the
Way I feel
I had no right being so uncontent,
Being so confused,
Being so not for you
And when you asked the angels to
Make you a better you
Dream all you want
Cause all the light you occupy
They will try and take it all from
You
I had no right bringing you here
Knowing what I know, feeling the
Way I feel
I had no right being so uncontent,
Being so confused,
Being so not for you
The song Being So Not for You by P.M. Dawn talks about a person who feels responsible for the pain and struggles that their partner is going through. The singer feels helpless that they cannot protect their partner from the cold and the darkest places they go through. The singer acknowledges that they can't tell the angels it'll be good for their partner and blesses the darkness for bringing life through. However, he admits that he would be lying to himself if he believed that.
The singer feels guilty for bringing their partner into their life, knowing what they know and feeling the way they feel. They admit to being uncontent, confused and not the right person for their partner. They recognize that their partner is in love with all that they don't know and that it animates their expectations. They also admit that the easiest way to hurt a man is by giving them everything they ever wanted.
The singer struggles with trying to tell the angels they don't know what to do while attempting to convince themselves that all the sadness has purpose. Ultimately the singer admits to having no right bringing their partner here and being uncontent, confused and not for them.
Line by Line Meaning
Why can't I keep you from the cold
I wish I could protect you from harm and keep you safe from pain and suffering.
Seem to know the difference faces
You are able to adapt to and handle different situations and challenges.
No matter what road you travel on
No matter what path you choose in life.
You go through the darkest places
You face difficult and challenging times.
I can't tell the angels it'll be good
I can't promise you that everything will be okay or that things will get better.
But wanting to say blesses be the Darkness
I want to try to find meaning in the difficult moments and appreciate the lessons they bring.
For bringing the life through
Because the tough times can also bring growth and new opportunities.
But I'd be lying to myself
But deep down, I know that things are not okay or good.
I had no right bringing you here
I feel guilty for introducing you to this difficult path or putting you in harm's way.
Knowing what I know, feeling the way I feel
Because I have a sense of what's to come and how much it will hurt.
I had no right being so uncontent
I don't have the right to be unhappy or dissatisfied with my situation, given what you're going through.
Being so confused
Feeling lost and uncertain.
Being so not for you
Realizing that I'm not the right person for you or this situation.
You're in love with all that you don't know
You are intrigued and fascinated by the unknown and the possibilities it holds.
It animates your expectations
It gives you hope and anticipation for the future.
But what's the easiest way to hurt a man
But sometimes getting everything you want can be damaging and painful.
Give him all he's ever wanted
Because it can create unrealistic expectations and set him up for disappointment.
Trying to tell the angels I don't know what to do
I feel lost and helpless, unable to find a way to help or fix the situation.
While convincing myself to believe all the sadness have purpose to
Even though it's hard, I'm trying to find meaning and value in the tough times.
Makes me hate this
But this situation still feels unbearable and overwhelming.
And when you asked the angels to make you a better you
Asking for guidance and support to help you grow and improve.
Dream all you want
But be aware that sometimes dreams can be shattered and not everything works out.
Cause all the light you occupy
Because the joy and happiness you bring to the world can sometimes attract negativity and darkness.
They will try and take it all from you
And some people or situations may try to bring you down or steal your happiness.
I had no right bringing you here
I still feel responsible for putting you in harm's way or exposing you to pain and suffering.
Knowing what I know, feeling the way I feel
I'm still struggling with guilt and sadness about the situation.
I had no right being so uncontent
I shouldn't feel unhappy or dissatisfied with my own situation when you're going through something so much worse.
Being so confused
Feeling lost and uncertain.
Being so not for you
Realizing that I'm not the right person for you or this situation.
Lyrics Ā© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ATTRELL STEPHEN JR. CORDES, CLARK ANDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SabanWorshipper
Why can't I keep you from the cold
Seem to know the difference faces
No matter what road you travel on
You go through the darkest places
I can't tell the angels it'll be good
For you
But wanting to say blesses be the
Darkness
For bringing the life through
But I'd be lying to myself
I had no right bringing you here
Knowing what I know, feeling the way
I feel
I had no right being so uncontent,
Being so confused,
Being so not for you
You're in love with all that you don't know
It animates your expectations
But what's the easiest way to hurt a man
Give him all he's ever wanted
Trying to tell the angels I don't
Know what to do
While convincing myself to believe
All the sadness have purpose to
Makes me hate this
I had no right bringing you here
Knowing what I know, feeling the
Way I feel
I had no right being so uncontent,
Being so confused,
Being so not for you
And when you asked the angels to
Make you a better you
Dream all you want
Cause all the light you occupy
They will try and take it all from
You
I had no right bringing you here
Knowing what I know, feeling the
Way I feel
I had no right being so uncontent,
Being so confused,
Being so not for you
SabanWorshipper
Why can't I keep you from the cold
Seem to know the difference faces
No matter what road you travel on
You go through the darkest places
I can't tell the angels it'll be good
For you
But wanting to say blesses be the
Darkness
For bringing the life through
But I'd be lying to myself
I had no right bringing you here
Knowing what I know, feeling the way
I feel
I had no right being so uncontent,
Being so confused,
Being so not for you
You're in love with all that you don't know
It animates your expectations
But what's the easiest way to hurt a man
Give him all he's ever wanted
Trying to tell the angels I don't
Know what to do
While convincing myself to believe
All the sadness have purpose to
Makes me hate this
I had no right bringing you here
Knowing what I know, feeling the
Way I feel
I had no right being so uncontent,
Being so confused,
Being so not for you
And when you asked the angels to
Make you a better you
Dream all you want
Cause all the light you occupy
They will try and take it all from
You
I had no right bringing you here
Knowing what I know, feeling the
Way I feel
I had no right being so uncontent,
Being so confused,
Being so not for you
DJFLDJFL
This song is one of the great hidden gems in music
Antionette Williams
P.M. Dawn was a beautiful group. They song about life. So sad Be Prince is gone. They never got the recognition that they deserved blessed their hearts. so underrated.
Pamela Washington
I believe if they would have been more populahey would have been like singers today.luminati is control in g music now.theur sound was pure and to the heart.i miss their music but today they would have to do some things to get recognition
Leah Feliz Worrell
I didn't know he wrote it about his child... that's crazy cuz since the first time I heard this song it made me think of my oldest daughter. her life has never been easy for her. she has always had many many serious medical issues and is severely non communicative autistic. and we recently were told she's also type 1 diabetic and now has to have insulin 4 times a day. my poor baby has always struggled and I always feel like I fail her as a mom. so when I heard this song for the first time I just cried and cried it hits so close to home. my daughter just turned 11 I heard it when she was still just a baby. not once have I regretted having her by any means.. I just hate seeing her suffer and struggle between her feet being deformed when she was born and her not breathing then having pneumonia for practically the first year of her life due to aspiration then finding out she had severe reflux and it kept going in her lungs, then she started throwing up bright red blood like torrents and torrents like 8 times out of nowhere, then the surgery on her stomach to try and fix her reflux, then the surgery coming undone, then the feeding tube and all the complications from it, then her having it removed and having to learn how to eat all over again, then being told she is severely autistic, then the seizure that was so bad she quit breathing and had to be put on life support and she had a hard time coming off it, then the Dr's did a mri and found brain damage, then the diabetes... I just wish she could catch just one break and just feel ok. she so beautiful and smart and has never ever hurt anyone in any way or even been even the slightest bit mean or rude to anyone... it just seems so unfair.
Sarason Salas
Ahh man I just shed a tear reading your daughter and family struggles, one the days things will be better, indeed there should be light and sunshine at the end of all this darkness and suffering....i think the entire album was dedicated to Christian the son...was it not called "Dearest Christian I'm so very sorry for bringing you here" šš„
Jen X
Leah Worrell I am so sorry your daughter has to go through what she is going through. And you're right. Life just doesn't seem fair. It seems like people who are bad, who do bad things, they live a life of sin, they are the ones who seem to prosper. Good things happen to bad people, and vice versa. My mom always told me that the people here on Earth that are living in sin, who do bad things, they are getting their rewards here on earth. Earthly rewards. They are getting them now on earth, but once they pass, their earthly blessings won't be going with them. And the good people who live good, Christian lives, they will be getting their rewards in Heaven. I know that is supposed to comfort you and make you feel better, but it would be nice to have some earthly rewards here while I am alive! Lol! But, I digress. Yes, this song was to his son. I didn't know that until a few years ago. I can totally understand where he is coming from. I look at my two children and I think, "Why did I bring two human beings into this messed up and cruel world? Why would I bring children into this world of hate, cruelty and just downright terribleness?!? I hate to think what this world is going to be like after I am gone. I hate to think of what my kids are going to face. It is scary. I can only do my best to prepare them for what lies ahead, and then hope they take what I have taught them, and put it to good use!
rydash56
These guys got to be the deepest duo Ive ever heard in my life-their songs get right down deep in my soul-INCREDIBLE STUFF!!!!
pedro vargas
one of the great underrated songs of all and I totally agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chas Giknis
Thank you for posting!!! For the longest time, I looked for "I had no right"-never realizing that 'Being So Not For You" was the real title. I think it's so cool that this band who is known for their sampling can come up with such a great song-with no samples. I don't understand why the kids these days cant appreciate this kind of music. I've been a DJ for 25 years and with all the crap that has come out, I just cant understand why this didn't chart higher. I'm getting this album!!!
hotcoko6
It's been years since I heard this song but wow... this song feels a bit timeless. I slept on PM Dawn for real... and I LOVE the similar melody to lady in red... dope!