P.M. Dawn is an American hip hop act, formed in 1988 by the brothers Attrel… Read Full Bio ↴P.M. Dawn is an American hip hop act, formed in 1988 by the brothers Attrell Cordes (known by his stage name Prince Be, sometimes credited as Prince Be the Nocturnal) and Jarrett Cordes (known as DJ Minutemix) in Jersey City, New Jersey. They earned significant crossover success in the early 1990s with music that merged hip hop, older soul, and more pop-oriented urban R&B.
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.

So on and so on
P.M. Dawn Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey you
I remember you, I think I'm well acquainted with your kind.
You like to make things turn around to so calm, or no calm
No place inside my space so.
I have a newborn diamond mind.
I think I'm on to other worlds that I've drawn or you've drawn
Why are you so complicating, I'm not on to you
I know whatever severs my heart, I'll find that the blade belongs to you, or even you.

If I find my resolutions, where else do I go
(Oh) I'd like to see these answers, babe.
I bet they go so on and so on

[Chorus]
So on and so on and so on and so on
So on and so on and so on and so on
So on and so on and so on and so on
So on and so on and so on and so on

I can see what bewilders me more
Than the presence of a weak divine
I'm contemplating my synopsis of you.
I'm so on or so wrong
Illustrate Prince Be well.
He's some surrealistic mistletoe.
But now Nocturnal interludes go.
So on for so long
Why are you so complicating.
I'm not on to you
(everybody loves the sunshine)
Well, I've heard that before, but does it apply to me or even you.
If I find my resolutions where else do I go
I guess I'll follow the shooting stars 'cause they go so on for so long

[Chorus]

I bet you had trouble finding you
So whatever stimulates your mind
I can sing those thoughts your thinking
'Cause my songs are your songs
(So what about Prince Be?)well
(I think he's fine)
But everything's being held in my palms your palms
Why are you so complicating?
I'm not on to you
Oh.. whatever you are in my eyes
I know it's so surprising to me or even you
If I find my resolutions where else do I go
Tell me if I limit you 'cause I can go so on for so long

[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of P.M. Dawn's song "So on and so on" seem to be reflective of an inner monologue, with the singer addressing someone or something that has caused inner turmoil. The opening lines suggest a familiarity with this person, remarking on how they tend to twist things to bring about a sense of calm, but how their presence makes it difficult to find peace within the singer's own "space." The next line "I have a newborn diamond mind" suggests a sense of enlightenment or personal growth, with the singer considering ideas and worlds beyond the confines of their current reality.

As the song continues, the singer seems to be acknowledging their own confusion and uncertainty, lamenting the complicating impact of the person or thing they are addressing. They refer to "Nocturnal interludes" as possibly a reference to insomnia, further emphasizing feelings of restlessness and struggle. The chorus provides a sense of repetition or circularity, with the phrase "so on and so on" suggesting the continued search for answers or resolution.

The final verses of the song continue in this vein, with the singer wondering if they are limiting themselves or the other person. The phrase "my songs are your songs" suggests a connection and commonality between the two, while the final line "I can go so on for so long" again emphasizes the cyclical nature of the singer's inner turmoil.

Interestingly, P.M. Dawn's music has been characterized as a blend of genres, including hip hop, R&B, and alternative rock. The group was also known for their use of sampling and their incorporation of poetic and philosophical lyrics.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey you
Greetings, I am addressing you

I remember you, I think I'm well acquainted with your kind.
I recognize you and your behavior, I may have encountered others like you

You like to make things turn around to so calm, or no calm
You have a tendency to manipulate situations to either create peace or chaos

No place inside my space so.
You do not have a place or role in my life

I have a newborn diamond mind.
I have a fresh, valuable and unique way of thinking

I think I'm on to other worlds that I've drawn or you've drawn
I believe I am capable of exploring new realms of thought or imagination, whether originated by me or others

Why are you so complicating, I'm not on to you
Why do you make things difficult? I do not understand your motives or intentions

I know whatever severs my heart, I'll find that the blade belongs to you, or even you.
I am aware that if my heart is broken, it may be caused by you specifically, or someone else like you

If I find my resolutions, where else do I go
Once I have found a solution to a problem, I wonder what other paths or options are available to me

(Oh) I'd like to see these answers, babe.
I am curious and eager to discover these answers

I bet they go so on and so on
I imagine that the answers to my questions go on and on, endlessly

So on and so on and so on and so on
Repetitive expression conveying the idea that something goes on endlessly

I can see what bewilders me more
I am able to observe and better understand what confuses or surprises me

Than the presence of a weak divine
More than the idea of a powerless higher being

I'm contemplating my synopsis of you.
I am reflecting on my analysis or summary of your character

I'm so on or so wrong
I may be right or wrong about my observations and assumptions

Illustrate Prince Be well.
Acknowledge and recognize the health or wellbeing of Prince Be, a reference to the artist's own stage name

He's some surrealistic mistletoe.
He embodies a dreamlike or imaginative piece of nature, a symbol of love and unity

But now Nocturnal interludes go.
But now the peaceful moments in the night are gone, implying the return of chaos or uncertainty

So on for so long
Continuous, never-ending, long lasting

Everybody loves the sunshine
Reference to a song about enjoying life and positivity

Well, I've heard that before, but does it apply to me or even you.
I am familiar with this phrase, but I wonder if it is relevant to us or our situation

I guess I'll follow the shooting stars 'cause they go so on for so long
I may choose to follow my dreams or aspirations, as they seem to be endless and persistent

I bet you had trouble finding you
I suspect that you have experienced difficulty with self-discovery or self-acceptance

So whatever stimulates your mind
Whatever motivates, intrigues or interests you

I can sing those thoughts your thinking
I can relate to and express the same thoughts or ideas that are going through your mind

'Cause my songs are your songs
Because the message and feeling conveyed through my music are universal and resonate with anyone

(So what about Prince Be?)well
A continuation of the dialogue about Prince Be's condition or situation

But everything's being held in my palms your palms
Everything is in my control, I have influence over what happens to you

Oh.. whatever you are in my eyes
Regardless of how I perceive you

I know it's so surprising to me or even you
I acknowledge that what I feel or think may come as a surprise, even to you

Tell me if I limit you 'cause I can go so on for so long
Let me know if I am holding you back, because my abilities or potential seems to be boundless

So on and so on and so on and so on
Repeated expression signifying endlessness or continuity

So on and so on and so on and so on
Repetition of the same phrase to reinforce the message

So on and so on and so on and so on
Continuation of the endless cycle or journey

So on and so on and so on and so on
Emphasis on the idea that this journey will keep going on, forever and ever

Lyrics © THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC., Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: ATTRELL STEPHEN JR. CORDES, DAVID BATISTE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

tamtamprfm

7y↑9

[Lyrics]

Hey you
I remember you, I think I'm well acquainted with your kind.
You like to make things turn around to so calm, or no calm
No place inside my space so.
I have a newborn diamond mind.
I think I'm on to other worlds that I've drawn or you've drawn
Why are you so complicating, I'm not on to you
I know whatever severs my heart, I'll find that the blade belongs to you, or even you.
If I find my resolutions, where else do I go
(Oh) I'd like to see these answers, babe.
I bet they go so on and so on

[Chorus]
So on and so on and so on and so on
So on and so on and so on and so on
So on and so on and so on and so on
So on and so on and so on and so on

I can see what bewilders me more
Than the presence of a weak divine
I'm contemplating my synopsis of you.
I'm so on or so wrong
Illustrate Prince Be well.
He's some surrealistic mistletoe.
But now Nocturnal interludes go.
So on for so long
Why are you so complicating.
I'm not on to you
(everybody loves the sunshine)
Well, I've heard that before, but does it apply to me or even you.
If I find my resolutions where else do I go
I guess I'll follow the shooting stars 'cause they go so on for so long

[Chorus]

I bet you had trouble finding you
So whatever stimulates your mind
I can sing those thoughts your thinking
'Cause my songs are your songs
(So what about Prince Be?)well
(I think he's fine)
But everything's being held in my palms your palms
Why are you so complicating?
I'm not on to you
Oh.. whatever you are in my eyes
I know it's so surprising to me or even you
If I find my resolutions where else do I go
Tell me if I limit you 'cause I can go so on for so long

[Chorus]

All comments from YouTube:

Michael Tuffli

10y↑12

Such a great album. Classic.

Tom

11y↑9

Oh wow. This was one of my favorite songs from a great album when I was a kid. Even though I haven't heard it in probably 20 years I still remember almost every word. Brings back such memories, thanks for the upload.

Estevan Ramón Pérez Pascual

7y↑30

They got sued over this song, but won. In spite of the victory, this track is no longer a part of the album. Fortunately the copy I picked up just yesterday (Nov. 2016) is an old copy that still has this track.

Righteous music. We need more like it in this world.