In the 1980s Elliott-Said joined the Hare Krishna movement & recorded at their studios. She lived with her husband (a fellow priest) & daughter Celeste, in London until she lost her fight with cancer on 25 April 2011. She was of part Somali ancestry.
X-Ray Spex are best known for their album "Germ Free Adolescents" (1978, EMI). Neneh Marianne Karlsson (aka Neneh Cherry), was sufficiently impressed to cover the title track. A reunion album "Conscious Consumer" (1995), echoed the concerns of the band's début.
Sites: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook & Poly-Styrene.com (Future Noise Music site)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/music-obituaries/8474819/Poly-Styrene.html
Dreaming
Poly Styrene Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everything is shimmering and bright
Reflections freezing on the glass door
Did you say you'd been here before
Away I'm dreaming
I'm dreaming away
Murmurs fading whispering the sound
Hallow echos on a tightrope line
Did you ask me for the right time
Away I'm dreaming
I'm dreaming away
Dreamt that you were skating over ice
Very cold and slippery but nice
Woke up screaming in a nightmare
Didn't you see the thin ice sign beware
Away I'm dreaming
I'm dreaming away
Dreaming dreaming dreaming
"Dreaming" by Poly Styrene is a song about escapism through the act of dreaming. The lyrics describe a dream world that is full of neon lights, flashing sparkles, and murmuring sounds that create a shimmering and bright atmosphere. The opening lyrics suggest that the singer is experiencing this dream world for the first time as they ask if someone else has been to this place before. The chorus then repeats the phrase "Away I'm dreaming, I'm dreaming away" which indicates that the singer is intentionally withdrawing from reality and is seeking solace in a dream world.
The second verse continues to describe the dream world with an emphasis on the sounds heard and the tightrope-like nature of the environment. The singer is asked for the right time which implies that time may not exist in this dream world or it may be distorted. The final verse shifts the focus to a personal nightmare that the singer experienced where they were skating over thin ice. This shift in tone and imagery may suggest that the dream world is not always a welcome escape and can also be filled with terror.
Despite its simple structure, "Dreaming" offers a poignant commentary on the human desire to escape from reality and seek refuge in a subconscious world. The song's catchy melody and lyrics have made it a cult classic and a relatable anthem for those who need a break from the monotony of everyday life.
Line by Line Meaning
Neon shining everywhere tonight
Incredible, bright lights illuminating the night
Everything is shimmering and bright
The world is full of vibrant and beautiful colors
Reflections freezing on the glass door
Images captured in time, frozen in a moment
Did you say you'd been here before
Have you experienced this magical world previously?
Away I'm dreaming
I am lost in my thoughts and imagination
I'm dreaming away
I am disconnected from my reality, immersed in my dreamland
Flashing dazzling sparkles all around
Bright, shiny lights twinkling in every direction
Murmurs fading whispering the sound
The soft sounds of people's voices disappearing into the background
Hallow echos on a tightrope line
Faint sounds, echoing like a voice in a canyon
Did you ask me for the right time
Did you inquire about the correct moment?
Dreamt that you were skating over ice
I had a dream of you gliding gracefully over a slippery surface
Very cold and slippery but nice
Although the environment was challenging and dangerous, it was still enjoyable
Woke up screaming in a nightmare
I was shaken awake, scared by a terrifying dream
Didn't you see the thin ice sign beware
I previously warned you about the hazardous conditions beforehand
Dreaming dreaming dreaming
I am consumed by the power and beauty of my dream world
Writer(s): D. Kelly, M. Elliott, A. Kelly, Michael Bennett
Contributed by Eliana T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.