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 Albumโฆ? (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 Albumโฆ?, 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 โ most notably, Prince Be wore a T-shirt with "Thank you, Jesus" written across it in black lettering.
The Bliss Albumโฆ? 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.
Set Adrift On Memory Bliss
P.M. Dawn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, you send me
Baby, you send me
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
The camera pans, a cocktail glass
Behind the blinds of plastic plants
You'll find a lady with a fat diamond ring
And then you'll know I can't remember a damn thing
I think it's one of those de ja vu things
Or a dream that's tryin' to tell me something
Or will I ever stop thinkin' about it
I don't know, I doubt it
Subterranean by design
I wonder what I would find if I met you
I let my eyes caress you
Until I meet the thought of Misses' Princess Who?
Often wonder what makes her work
I guess I'll leave that question to the experts
Assuming that there are some out there
They're probably alone, solitaire
I can remember when
I caught up with a pastime intimate friend
She said, "Bet you're probably gonna say I look lovely
But you probably don't think nothin' of me"
She was right, though, I can't lie
She's just one of those corners in my mind
So I just put her right back with the rest
That's the way it goes, I guess
Baby, you send me
Baby, you send me
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
Baby, you send me
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
A careless whisper from a careless man
A neutron dance for a neutron fan
Marionette strings are dangerous things
I thought of all the trouble they bring
An eye for an eye, a spy for a spy
Rubber bands expand in a frustrating sigh
Tell me that she's not dreaming
She's got an ace in the hole
It doesn't have meaning
Reality used to be a friend of mine
'Cause complete control, I don't take too kind
Christina Applegate, you gotta put me on
Guess who's piece of the cake is jacked on?
She broke her wishbone and wished for a sign
I told her whispers in my heart were fine
What did she think she could do?
I feel for her, I really do
So I stared at the ring finger on her hand
I wanted her to be a big P.M. Dawn fan
But I had to put her right back with the rest
That's the way it goes, I guess
Baby, you send me
Baby, you send me
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
Baby, you send me
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
Baby, you send me
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
Baby, you send me
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
Baby, you send me (baby, you send me)
Baby, you send me (baby, you send me)
Set adrift on memory bliss of you (baby, you send me)
Baby, you send me (baby, you send me)
Baby, you send me (baby, you send me)
Set adrift on memory bliss of you (baby, you send me)
Baby, you send me (baby, you send me)
Baby, you send me (baby, you send me)
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
The lyrics of P.M. Dawn's Set Adrift on Memory Bliss speaks to the experience of being caught in a deeply nostalgic and maybe even bittersweet memory of a past love. Life is a camera panning around a cocktail glass, with the singer seeing the lady with the fat diamond ring, representing his past love. However, he can't remember much of her, and he thinks it's some kind of dรฉjร vu thing or a dream; he can't seem to shake off her memory. The singer wonders what makes her work and assumes he will leave that question to the experts. The verses continue, telling of a past intimate friend and the singer's interaction with her. He admits he doesn't think much of her, just a corner in his mind. Nonetheless, he recalls their conversation with a sense of wistfulness. Along the way, there are references to pop culture, like Christina Applegate, and lines that evoke a sense of detached observation.
The chorus consists of the lines, "Baby, you send me / Set adrift on memory bliss of you," which serve to create a sense of longing and helplessness, with a repeated acknowledgment of the power of memory to pull one back into the past. The singer is adrift and at the mercy of his memories of this past love, feeling the emotions and memories as if they were happening to him again.
Line by Line Meaning
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
Lost in my thoughts and memories of you, experiencing intense emotion and longing.
Baby, you send me
Your mere presence or thought of you causes a powerful emotional response within me.
The camera pans the cocktail glass
Describing a scene or moment in time. A snapshot of an event or place.
Behind a blind of plastic plants
Hidden in a false, artificial environment or persona.
I found the lady with the fat diamond ring
Reference to a materialistic and showy person, likely conforming to societal norms and expectations.
Then you know I can't remember a damn thing
Memory and perception is muddled, ambiguous or confusing.
I think it's one of those dรฉjร vu things
Experiencing a sense of familiarity or nostalgia.
Or a dream that's tryin' to tell me something
Possible subconscious message or meaning in a dream or fantasy world.
Or will I ever stop thinkin' about it?
Questioning if thoughts and feelings will cease, but doubting that possibility.
I don't know, I doubt it
Uncertainty and skepticism regarding the resolution of thoughts and emotions.
Subterranean by design
Intentionally concealing or burying emotions or aspects of oneself beneath the surface.
I wonder what I would find if I met you
Speculation and curiosity about potential interactions or relationships.
Let my eyes caress you
Desire and visual attraction to the other person.
Until I meet the thought of Mrs. Princess Who?
Fantasizing about a perfect or ideal partner, questioning if such a person exists.
Often wonder what makes her work
Pondering what drives someone's motivation or behavior.
I guess I'll leave that question to the experts
Acknowledging that the answer may be elusive or complex.
Assuming that there are some out there
Presuming that someone has knowledge or insight on the topic at hand.
They're probably alone, solitaire
Implying that experts may not exist, and even if they do, they may be isolated or disconnected from others.
I can remember when
Reflecting on a past experience or memory.
I caught up with a past time intimate friend
Reconnecting with someone from the past, possibly with romantic history.
She said, 'Bet you're probably gonna say I look lovely
Anticipating a generic compliment and acknowledging that it may not hold much weight.
But you probably don't think nothin' of me'
Assuming the other person's lack of genuine regard or care.
She was right, though, I can't lie
Admitting to being superficial and not having deep feelings for the other person.
She's just one of those corners in my mind
Representing a small, insignificant part of someone's thoughts and memories.
And I just put her right back with the rest
Placing that small part of someone's mind back in obscurity, overtaken by other thoughts and memories.
Careless whisper from a careless man
Received a thoughtless or impulsive comment or action from someone uninvested or unconcerned.
A neutron dance for a neutron fan
Alluding to a science or technology reference (neutron) and movement or change (dance). Not all things are meaningful or profound.
Marionette strings are dangerous things
Metaphor for control or manipulation from external forces. The user or the victim may suffer from the outcomes.
I thought of all the trouble they bring
Anticipating negative effects from external control.
An eye for an eye, a spy for a spy
Metaphor for retribution or vengeance, trying to exact pain as it was delivered.
Rubber bands expand in a frustrating sigh
Rubber bands stretch and snap back without delivering a result. Frustrating consequences without an effectual outcome.
Tell me that she's not dreaming
Asking for reassurance about reality or perception.
She's got an ace in the hole
Having a secret advantage or strategy in reserve.
It doesn't have meaning
Something without significance or importance, even though it may be held in high regard by others.
Reality used to be a friend of mine
Feeling disconnected or disillusioned from reality or societal norms.
'Cause complete control, I don't take too kind
Rejecting the idea of being controlled or manipulated by external forces, preferring autonomy and individuality.
Christina Applegate, you gotta put me on
Celebrity reference or allusion. Wanting to be noticed or recognized in a public or social realm.
Guess who's piece of the cake with Jack gone?
Referencing a popular song and the feeling of being left out, excluded, or not getting a fair share.
She broke her wishbone and wished for a sign
Belief in symbolic gestures or seeking guidance or insight through superstitious methods.
I told her whispers in my heart were fine
Consoling or encouraging another person by sharing the power of personal conviction or intuition.
What did she think she could do?
Questioning another person's agency or choice in the matter.
I feel for her, I really do
Empathizing with another person's situation or struggle.
And I stared at the ring finger on her hand
Noticing or fixating on a physical or material trait or attribute of another person.
I wanted her to be a big P.M. Dawn fan
Desire for companionship or shared interests with another person.
But I had to put her right back with the rest
Returning to the normalcy and routine of daily life, possibly ignoring the previous thoughts and emotions.
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Downtown Music Publishing, REFORMATION MUSIC INC
Written by: Attrell Cordes, Gary James Kemp, Gary Kemp, Attrell Stephen Cordes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@betoballe
Baby you send me, baby you send me
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
The camera pans the cocktail glass
Behind a blind of plastic plants
I found the lady with the fat diamond ring
Then you know I can't remember a damn thing
I think it's one of those dรฉjร vu things
Or a dream that's tryin' to tell me somethin'
Or will I ever stop thinkin' about it
I don't know, I doubt it
Subterranean by design
I wonder what I would find
If I met you, I let my eyes caress you
Until I meet the thought of Mrs Princess Who?
I often wonder what makes her work
I guess I'll leave that question to the experts
Assuming that there are some out there
They're probably alone, solitaire
I can remember when
I caught up with a past-time intimate friend
She said, "Bet you're probably gonna say I look lovely
But you probably don't think nothin' of me"
She was right, though, I can't lie
She's just one of those corners in my mind
So I just put her right back with the rest
That's the way it goes, I guess
Baby you send me, baby you send me
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
Baby you send me
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
A careless whisper from a careless man
A neutron dance for a neutron fan
Marionette strings are dangerous things
I thought of all the trouble they bring
An eye for an eye, a spy for spy
Rubber bands expand in a frustrating sigh
Tell me that she's not dreaming
She's got an ace in the hole, it doesn't have meaning
Reality used to be a friend of mine
'Cause complete control, I don't take too kind
Christina Applegate, you gotta put me on
Guess whose piece of the cake is Jack gone?
She broke her wishbone and wished for a sign
I told her whispers in my heart were fine
What did she think she could do?
I feel for her, I really do
And I stared at the ring finger on her hand
I wanted her to be a big P.M. Dawn fan
But I had to put her right back with the rest
That's the way it goes, I guess
Baby you send me, baby you send me
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
Baby you send me
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
@itr0863
In a generation where gangsta rap ruled, these boys did their own thing. Revolutionaries.
@user-wl7th5by6l
๐๐ค
@lemondishonor7736
Right. They werenโt getting any play in the streets but they were on the radio daily.
@BrownsvilleBaby_Est
@@lemondishonor7736 that maybe fact,but let's have some respect to the dead,and if you wanna know which man died it was the brown skin guy with the locs in his hair.He passed years ago
@lemondishonor7736
@@BrownsvilleBaby_Est thanks, Iโm aware.
@BrownsvilleBaby_Est
Rest Up Prince Be.
@hudsonvalicity5166
One of those songs you can put on repeat and never get tired of hearing it.
@brandonjackson3641
Foreal I love it ๐ผ๐ต๐ถ
@marvindickens7778
I jus did 4 times
@gretchenblue4867
Everrrrr