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.

When Midnight Sighs
P.M. Dawn Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If and betting on an if, and if that if might have a chance to survive.
It runs in to twelve different ways of existing each with capacity to change its mind.
The vibe says six, so be six, now it has a clone. That is a bit more feminine.
Pondering the paces of what's going down life. And the greeting is, "Oh its you again."
Now come the images so many images. The painful colors and the bliss like tries.
I'm taking notes till the end of theatrics, then it stops, ends, dies
Whatever is whatever, it calculates the karma.
And tries to adjust as it inquires whats shaking.

But through no eyes, I could see the entity crying.

[Chorus]
I cry, when midnight sighs, I cry, when midnight sighs.

Let's pretend its true, no, facade. The vibe says seven, do I look surprised? No.
You, you're so disturbing. Anxious tears do these paint my eyes oh.
The mysterious fee no one sees. And no one tries.
Whenever tangible,
I'll fall out of love. But for now my mind isn't mine
Sporadic advice, never thinks twice,
But exotic thoughts conclude this frenzy.
Pay no no attention to the scars.
However bright all the men see is precious you.
Immaculate trues, Patient lies say,
"Prince your flying", yeah.
But through no thoughts, I could see this concept crying.

[Chorus x2]

When midnight sighs,
If about to be me it's.
So the vibe say five.
I put on hooves horns and an attitude.
And nonchalantly find I'm alive.. twelve AM
I understand. I find the eight, too late, its gone.
But I could see this woman crying
"Cussing, crying, and carrying on my God"

[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to P.M. Dawn's song "When Midnight Sighs" are deeply introspective and at times hard to interpret. The song touches on themes of self-discovery, the fluidity of existence, and the way that we shield our inner selves from the outside world. The opening lines of the song present an "if" statement, indicating that the rest of the song is going to be a meditation on possibility and contingency. The lyric "It runs in to twelve different ways of existing each with capacity to change its mind" speaks to the idea that we all contain multitudes and that the way we exist is dependent on a wide variety of external and internal factors.

Later on, the song brings up the image of "painful colors and the bliss like tries," highlighting the contrast between the difficult and joyful experiences we have throughout our lives. The lyric "I'll fall out of love. But for now my mind isn't mine" speaks to the way that our emotions can take over our thoughts and actions, leading us down unexpected paths. The song ends with the repeated refrain of "I cry, when midnight sighs," which seems to signify a moment of emotional release and vulnerability.

Overall, "When Midnight Sighs" is a complex and thought-provoking song that encourages listeners to reflect on their own experiences and emotions. The lyrics are poetic and at times ambiguous, but they ultimately serve to convey a sense of the beauty and confusion of the human experience.

Line by Line Meaning

If and betting on an if, and if that if might have a chance to survive.
Contemplating the possibility of something happening, uncertain if it will actually come to fruition.

It runs in to twelve different ways of existing each with capacity to change its mind.
There are many paths that can be taken, each with the ability to change direction at any point.

The vibe says six, so be six, now it has a clone. That is a bit more feminine.
Feeling a certain energy and embracing it, resulting in a transformation with a slightly different twist.

Pondering the paces of what's going down life. And the greeting is, "Oh its you again."
Reflecting on the journey of life and recognizing recurring patterns.

Now come the images so many images. The painful colors and the bliss like tries.
Experiencing vivid emotions, both negative and positive.

I'm taking notes till the end of theatrics, then it stops, ends, dies
Making mental notes until the situation has played out completely, and then it fades away.

Whatever is whatever, it calculates the karma.
Acknowledging that what goes around comes around, and being aware of one's actions.

And tries to adjust as it inquires whats shaking.
Attempting to adapt and understand the changing circumstances.

But through no eyes, I could see the entity crying.
Perceiving an emotional pain, but not through visual means.

I cry, when midnight sighs, I cry, when midnight sighs.
Expressing sadness or emotions in response to the stillness of midnight.

Let's pretend its true, no, facade. The vibe says seven, do I look surprised? No.
Playing along with a perceived reality, not showing any surprise when discovering something unexpected.

You, you're so disturbing. Anxious tears do these paint my eyes oh.
Feeling overwhelmed and emotional in response to someone's behavior or actions.

The mysterious fee no one sees. And no one tries.
A hidden cost or burden that is not visible or acknowledged by anyone else.

Whenever tangible, I'll fall out of love. But for now my mind isn't mine
Losing interest when something becomes too predictable or tangible, but for now experiencing uncertainty and lack of control.

Sporadic advice, never thinks twice, But exotic thoughts conclude this frenzy.
Receiving impulsive or unsolicited advice, but allowing imaginative thoughts to guide actions.

Pay no no attention to the scars. However bright all the men see is precious you. Immaculate trues, Patient lies say, "Prince your flying", yeah.
Ignoring past traumas or pain, focusing on one's positive qualities, hearing encouragement from both truthful and deceptive sources.

When midnight sighs, If about to be me it's. So the vibe say five.
Feeling a shift in energy or identity at midnight, sensing a different vibe or energy level.

I put on hooves horns and an attitude. And nonchalantly find I'm alive.. twelve AM
Adopting a unique persona or attitude, feeling alive and unbothered at midnight.

I understand. I find the eight, too late, its gone. But I could see this woman crying "Cussing, crying, and carrying on my God"
Realizing a missed opportunity, feeling regretful, witnessing a woman's intense emotional reaction.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: ATTRELL STEPHEN JR. CORDES, Attrell Cordes

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS