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 Album…? (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 Album…?, 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 — most notably, Prince Be wore a T-shirt with "Thank you, Jesus" written across it in black lettering.
The Bliss Album…? 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.
Comatose
P.M. Dawn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh never mind me man
I'm just rhyming here
Its an old one that no one knows anyways
That's the way it goes
Kisses directions through my mind every time
Guess he likes to collect blue hickies
I dunno
I remain the same
Comatose anyways
Whatever
Ask me that question again
Who am I what am i
Look at my face the eyes don't lie
If I was with a smooth tongue
Used for fun
I'd take a look at myself
And ask myself why I got a thread
A thread that I'm holding on for sandy
My minds taking things that are going on
Close to the soul
And actually steppin' on
These people are doing wrong
The list can go on and on
For ages
Tangled up through mazes
As lost as a meal that's pushed to a panther
I keep my eyes on those who pass by
They look to pm dawn the quest for the answer
Mercy mercy me till I see
The end of the human race is Grand Prix
Mr red knows I pose a threat
Yea I'd like to see him sweat
Dr vibe tends to get hypnotic
Reality thinks the prince be is erotic
The magic wand seems to be misplaced
I can't see it if its covered in lace
The best way to keep your word is not to give it
I don't make promises cause promises die
But those who use hate just wont participate
So that's why I choose to use my eyes
And stay comatose
A positive and negative impression on your brain
Whatever remains whatever stays the same
Results from an inside view or perspective
Other than that persona snaps under strain
But what remains to be seen
Is how you chose to use your time
And still the point blank calculations unclear
Of whether your text can catch these lines
Or toss 'em to the side
So you can't realize
Illusion only lasts until the scene is through
Approachin' this scenario
What would you do
Lose your noodle
Or try some voodoo
Accept defeat then what's the next phase
Rely on the brave
Rely on the copious
The secret of any victory lies
In the organization of the non-obvious
In a comatose
So they tell me a lie
To keep my head straight
But view sets the fronts like an unseen crime
I like to watch a watcher close
And see what they might take
A tick from a tock
A line from a rhyme
A leaf off an elm
A move might yell bold
An unseen realm
Or what that realm holds
Is nothing.. nothing that makes sense
They walk with small talk
And I watch the consequence swell up
And overflow into a large brook
Maybe its the undertow of what the tide took
The put together scenes
Make it all seem clean
A pacified pictures the life-fiend dream
Till its tried by the spies that's when they realize
The rose ain't red and the violets ain't blue
But those that are swift will pin point the trip
And everyone else'll think its de ja vu
Except the comatose
The lyrics to P.M. Dawn's "Comatose" are a reflection on the singer's state of mind and their observations of the world around them. The first verse describes the singer's detachment from society, as they reminisce about their past and try to make sense of their present. The second verse questions the singer's identity and purpose, and whether they can stay true to themselves in a world that is always changing. The final verse looks at the world with a critical eye, and examines how people behave in the face of challenges.
Throughout the song, P.M. Dawn employs a poetic style that blends hip-hop with elements of soul and R&B. The lyrics are full of metaphors and allusions, making it difficult to pin down the exact meaning of each line. However, the overall message seems to be one of introspection and self-discovery. P.M. Dawn is not afraid of asking difficult questions or challenging societal norms, and "Comatose" is a showcase of their unique artistic vision.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh never mind me man
Don't worry about me, I'm just improvising
I'm just rhyming here
I'm just making up some lines that may or may not be meaningful
Its an old one that no one knows anyways
This doesn't really matter because it's an obscure reference that most people won't understand
That's the way it goes
Life is unpredictable and confusing
Kisses directions through my mind every time
Thoughts and ideas flow through my head constantly
Guess he likes to collect blue hickies
I don't really know what's going on in my head
I dunno
I'm not really sure
I remain the same
Despite all the confusion and uncertainty, I am still myself
Comatose anyways
Even if I feel like I'm in a daze, I remain true to myself
Whatever
I don't really care
Ask me that question again
I need more information or clarification
Who am I what am i
I am questioning my identity and purpose
Look at my face the eyes don't lie
My appearance reflects my inner state
If I was with a smooth tongue
If I were more charismatic
Used for fun
If I used my charisma for personal gain
I'd take a look at myself
I would reflect on my actions
And ask myself why I got a thread
I would question why I'm barely hanging on
A thread that I'm holding on for sandy
I am trying to hold on for someone I care about
My minds taking things that are going on
I am analyzing events and situations
Close to the soul
With emotional depth
And actually steppin' on
I am challenging people or expressing my disapproval
These people are doing wrong
I see others acting immorally or negatively
The list can go on and on
There are many examples of bad behavior
For ages
Throughout history
Tangled up through mazes
Complicated and confusing situations
As lost as a meal that's pushed to a panther
As useless or pointless as something that can't be consumed by its intended recipient
I keep my eyes on those who pass by
I observe the actions and behaviors of others
They look to pm dawn the quest for the answer
People look to me for guidance or answers
Mercy mercy me till I see
I need help or relief until I can regain control
The end of the human race is Grand Prix
The end of humanity is a race to the finish
Mr red knows I pose a threat
Someone recognizes that I am a challenge to them
Yea I'd like to see him sweat
I want to intimidate or overcome this person
Dr vibe tends to get hypnotic
Someone has a hypnotic or charismatic presence
Reality thinks the prince be is erotic
The world perceives someone as being attractive or desirable
The magic wand seems to be misplaced
A solution or answer seems to be missing
I can't see it if its covered in lace
I can't find or see the solution if it's hidden or disguised
The best way to keep your word is not to give it
It's better to avoid making promises than to break them
I don't make promises cause promises die
I avoid making promises because they often go unfulfilled
But those who use hate just wont participate
Negative people are not involved in my life
So that's why I choose to use my eyes
I prefer to observe and analyze situations rather than rely on others
A positive and negative impression on your brain
A mixture of good and bad memories and experiences
Whatever remains whatever stays the same
No matter what happens, the fundamental aspects of a situation remain constant
Results from an inside view or perspective
Understanding and interpreting a situation based on personal experience and emotions
Other than that persona snaps under strain
When under stress, someone's façade or persona may crumble
But what remains to be seen
There are still many unknowns or uncertainties
Is how you chose to use your time
What you do with your time is up to you
And still the point blank calculations unclear
The outcome of a situation is unpredictable
Of whether your text can catch these lines
Whether or not you understand the deeper meaning behind my words
Or toss 'em to the side
Ignore or dismiss what I am saying
Illusion only lasts until the scene is through
Deception will eventually be exposed or revealed
Approachin' this scenario
Considering this situation
What would you do
What actions would you take
Lose your noodle
Lose your mind or become irrational
Or try some voodoo
Attempt an unconventional or magical solution
Accept defeat then what's the next phase
If you can't succeed, what should you do next
Rely on the brave
Trust those who are courageous
Rely on the copious
Rely on those who have resources or abundance
The secret of any victory lies
Success comes from secret or unnoticed factors
In the organization of the non-obvious
The key to success is managing the subtle details
So they tell me a lie
I am being deceived or misled
To keep my head straight
To avoid confusion or mental distress
But view sets the fronts like an unseen crime
A hidden truth or perception can change everything
I like to watch a watcher close
I observe the actions and intentions of others intently
And see what they might take
Analyze what someone may be interested in or looking for
A tick from a tock
A small part of something
A line from a rhyme
A section of poetry or lyrics
A leaf off an elm
A piece of something larger
A move might yell bold
A bold or impactful gesture
An unseen realm
A hidden or unexplored area
Or what that realm holds
What lies undiscovered in this place
Is nothing.. nothing that makes sense
This area is pointless or illogical
They walk with small talk
People often talk about trivial matters
And I watch the consequence swell up
I observe the repercussions of people's actions
And overflow into a large brook
The consequences spread and affect others
Maybe its the undertow of what the tide took
This could be the result of a turning point or cause
The put together scenes
The culmination of events and actions
Make it all seem clean
Creates an illusion of order or clarity
A pacified pictures the life-fiend dream
People desire a peaceful, problem-free life
Till its tried by the spies that's when they realize
This ideal is unrealistic and only works in theory
The rose ain't red and the violets ain't blue
Things may look one way but actually be another
But those that are swift will pin point the trip
Those who are observant will see through the deception
And everyone else'll think its de ja vu
Others will fail to realize the truth, just like before
Except the comatose
Only those who are mentally dormant will ignore the truth
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN CREAUX, SYLVESTER STEWART, ATTRELL STEPHEN JR CORDES, ATTRELL CORDES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
john rowland
The best way to keep your word, is not to give it! love it!!
H C
Still shocked that this tune doesn't get move love.
Rachael Collins
Ah cause no one can bear the thought of being comatose. Yet, we do it everyday. I dig the tune.
🌐Sugar Xyler
my theme song
J Wade
U Are so right