Over the course of its career, the band has sold more than 40 million records and has charted thirteen Top 40 hits, including the number ones "Keep On Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling". REO Speedwagon's mainstream popularity waned in the late 1980s, but the band remains a popular live act.
In the fall of 1966, Neal Doughty entered the electrical engineering program at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois, coming in as a junior. On his first night, he met another student, Alan Gratzer. They held an impromptu jam session in the basement of their Illinois Street Residence Hall dormitory, and soon started a rock band. Gratzer had been a drummer since high school, and was playing in a local group on the weekends, while Doughty had learned some Beatles songs on his parents' piano.
Doughty started to follow around Gratzer's band, eventually sitting in on a song or two. The keyboard player was the leader, but several other band members were unhappy with the situation. On the last day of the university's spring semester, guitarist Joe Matt called the band's leader and told him that he, drummer Gratzer, and bassist Mike Blair had decided to leave the band and start a new one with Doughty.
They made a list of songs to learn over the summer break, and Doughty landed a summer job to buy his first keyboard. On his Farfisa organ, he learned "Light My Fire" by The Doors. The members returned to school in the fall of 1967, and had their first rehearsal before classes even started. They named the band REO Speedwagon, from the REO Speed Wagon, a flatbed truck Doughty had studied in transportation history, and the initials are those of its founder Ransom E. Olds. Rather than pronouncing REO as a single word as the motor company did, they chose to spell out the name with the individual letters each pronounced ("R-E-O"). An ad in the school newspaper produced their first job, a fraternity party that turned into a food fight. They continued to perform cover songs in campus bars, fraternity parties, and university events. The first lineup consisted of Doughty on keyboards, Gratzer on drums and vocals, Joe Matt on guitar and vocals, Mike Blair on bass and vocals.
In early 1968, Terry Luttrell became lead singer, and Bob Crownover joined as the guitar player, replacing Matt. When Mike Blair left the band in the summer of 1968, Gregg Philbin replaced Blair, Marty Shepard played trumpet and Joe McCabe played sax until McCabe moved to Southern Illinois University. Crownover played guitar for the group until the summer of 1969 when Bill Fiorio replaced him. Fiorio then departed in late 1969, eventually assuming the name Duke Tumatoe, and went on to form the All Star Frogs. Steve Scorfina (who would go on to found progressive rock/album-oriented rock band Pavlov's Dog) came aboard for over a year, composing with the band and performing live, before being replaced by Gary Richrath in late 1970.
Richrath was a Peoria, Illinois-based guitarist and prolific songwriter who brought fresh original material to the band. With Richrath on board, the regional popularity of the band grew tremendously. The Midwestern United States was the original REO Speedwagon fan stronghold and is pivotal in this period of the band's history.
The band signed to Epic Records in 1971. Paul Leka, an East Coast record producer, brought the band to his recording studio in Bridgeport, Connecticut where it recorded original material for its first album. The lineup on the first album consisted of Richrath, Gratzer, Doughty, Philbin, and Luttrell.
Richrath was a Peoria, Illinois-based guitar player and prolific songwriter who brought original material to the band including REO's signature song "Ridin' the Storm Out". With Richrath on board, the regional popularity of the band grew tremendously. The Midwestern United States was the original REO Speedwagon fan stronghold and is pivotal in this period of the band's history.
The band signed to Epic Records in 1971. Paul Leka, an East Coast record producer, brought the band to his recording studio in Bridgeport, Connecticut where it recorded original material for its first album. The lineup on the first album consisted of Richrath, Gratzer, Doughty, Philbin, and Luttrell.
The band toured relentlessly under guidance from early manager Irving Azoff. The band's most successful period featured lead vocalist Kevin Cronin who joined the band briefly for their second album T.W.O in 1972, and left in the middle of recording the Album "Ridin' The Storm Out" and returned in 1976, co-producing with Richrath their landmark Live: You Get What You Play For. Ridin' the Storm Out was completed with Michael Bryan Murphy on the microphone. Murphy stayed on for two more albums, "Lost in a Dream" and "This Time We Mean It", before Cronin returned to the fold in January 1976 and recorded "R.E.O.", which was released that same year.
They grew in popularity in the Midwestern United States during the early 1970s and peaked in popularity in the early 1980s. The band's first mid 70s FM hit was the Richrath composed concert fave "Ridin' The Storm Out", and their first gold record was a live album, 1977's "Live: You Get What You Play For". Their hard rocking live show was so integral to their success, their label released another live album in 1978, "More Live".
In 1977, Philbin was replaced with Bruce Hall to record the first studio album that reached platinum, "You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can't Tuna Fish", released in 1978 which received FM radio airplay but fell short of the Top 40. In 1979, the band took a turn back to hard rock with the release of Nine Lives.
By 1981's "Hi Infidelity" they had reached a new peak, and the LP spawned several major radio hits including "Keep On Loving You", "Don't Let Him Go" and "Take It on the Run" which went to #5 on the US charts, and the Cronin composed "Time For Me To Fly, released on the "Tuna" album.
REO Speedwagon followed up the "Hi Infidelity" LP with the power ballad "Can't Fight This Feeling" from Good Trouble in 1982, and dented the charts again with 1984's "Wheels Are Turning" album, 1987's "Life as We Know It" was the last new release to go gold, before popularity waned, and their long winning streak subsided. Founding members Richrath & Gratzer left the band, essentially ending a 20 year arena rocking run, but the band's collections continued to sell and earn classic rock & retro power pop airplay. Richrath and Gratzer was replaced by Miles Joseph and Graham Lear, Cronin's band members from jazz ensemble called "The Strolling Dudes". And soon Lear and Joseph was replaced by Bryan Hitt (formerly of Wang Chung) and Dave Amato.
Nowadays Reo Speedwagon remains a U.S concert circuit staple, mostly known as a crowd pleasing classic AOR genre rock band. Still fronted by longtime vocalist Cronin, currently the only original member in the 21st century touring lineup is keyboardist Neil Doughty. The hired guns brought in since have had stints in band's like Ted Nugent and Wang Chung. Spurred on by numerous re-packagings of their back catalog, and successful newer live recordings, in 2007 they released "Find Your Own Way Home" the group's first new studio album in more than ten years. Though it did not chart as an album, it produced two singles which appeared on Billboard's Adult Contemporary radio chart.
REO Speedwagon continues to tour regularly, performing mostly their classic hits. They are popular on the fair and casino circuits, but still team with other acts to play larger venues.
REO Speedwagon's birth place was reportedly a Red Lion Inn, on Green Street near the U of I campus (Champaign-Urbana, IL).
Principal Members (1971)
Gary Richrath - Guitar
Alan Gratzer - Drums
Gregg Philbin - Bass
Terry Luttrell - Vocals
Mike Murphy - Vocals
Current Lineup
Kevin Cronin - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Dave Amato - Lead Guitar, Vocals
Bruce Hall - Bass Guitar, Vocals
Neal Doughty - Keyboards
Bryan Hitt - Drums, Percussion
http://www.speedwagon.com
Dream Weaver
REO Speedwagon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Schemedy feeling's bring me self-respect
I do encounter extreme pressure, the moment that I deplete your fare
To fall back on again and again, at least as long as you want me
Dream weaver, I'm callin' for you again
The white-haired sinner, to leave you'd become a legend
To fall back on when times get hard, how I wish you would give me the same
Weave us that dream today
A non-believer, you said that I'm a fool, a cool deceiver, follow your own rules
Could it may be that I found a way to keep me out of the blues today
I'll chase you down but the big push on, leave us both from the depression blues
Dream weaver, I'm callin' for you again
Light-haired sinner, to leave you'd become a legend
Fall back on when times get hard, how I wish you would give me the same
But dream weaver, weave us that dream today
Weave us that dream today
Dream weaver, I'm callin' for you again
Blonde-haired sinner, to leave you'd become a legend
To fall back on when times get hard, how I wish you would give me the same
But dream weaver, weave us that dream today
Weave us that dream today
Weave us that dream today
Weave us that dream today
The song "Dream Weaver" by REO Speedwagon is a love song about the relationship between the singer and his lover, whom he refers to as "dream weaver." The lyrics interpret the emotions of the singer as he describes his passion for the "dream weaver," expressing that he has been thinking about her again and again, scheming on her. The singer acknowledges the pressures that come with loving someone, but indicates that he is willing to fall back again and again as long as she wants him.
The song describes the singer's desire for reciprocity in the relationship. He wants the "dream weaver" to give him the same kind of support he provides to her when times get tough. The chorus "weave us that dream today" highlights this desire for reciprocity and symbolizes the weaving of a dreamlike reality where the two of them would be together and happy together.
In conclusion, "Dream Weaver" is a song about love, loyalty, and the desire for reciprocity in a relationship. The name Dream Weaver can be seen as a metaphor for the character in the song weaving the dream that both of them have. The singer expresses his need for a dreamlike reality where they are together, but adds that it has to be woven by the other person as well.
Line by Line Meaning
Dream weaver, I'm scheming on you again
I can't stop thinking about you and how we can be together
Schemedy feeling's bring me self-respect
Having these feelings for you makes me feel good about myself
I do encounter extreme pressure, the moment that I deplete your fare
I feel a lot of stress when you don't give me the attention I desire
To fall back on again and again, at least as long as you want me
I will keep coming back to you for comfort and affection as long as you will have me
Dream weaver, I'm callin' for you again
I am reaching out to you once more
The white-haired sinner, to leave you'd become a legend
You are someone I am willing to go against societal norms for; leaving you would make me a legend in my own mind
To fall back on when times get hard, how I wish you would give me the same
I wish you would also turn to me for comfort when you are going through a tough time
But dream weaver, weave us that dream today
Please create a wonderful fantasy for us to escape into
A non-believer, you said that I'm a fool, a cool deceiver, follow your own rules
You don't believe in me and think I'm foolish, but I am confident in my own actions
Could it may be that I found a way to keep me out of the blues today
Perhaps being with you is the solution to my problems
I'll chase you down but the big push on, leave us both from the depression blues
I will go after you no matter what, and together we can escape our sadness
Blonde-haired sinner, to leave you'd become a legend
Same as before, but describing the person differently
Weave us that dream today
Please create a wonderful fantasy for us to escape into (repeated)
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Gary Richrath
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
PentilNet Deet
This is the REO I first heard and loved....this album and Lost in a Dream ....Thanks for posting
Josie Owl
Sweet song very awesome.
aceventurablaze
That 70's show S2 E16
putt1-2-putz
Why can't I find the lyrics to this? All this song brings up is Gary Wright's, Dream Weaver. It's all, oh so wrong and a pitty.
HWY NYT
Try kansas's version. Best one i know of. ✌👍💯
Word Unheard
Wow, you weren't kidding. Nearly every lyric site had REO Speedwagon, but Gary Wright's lyrics. It took some searching, but I found the right (not Wright) lyrics:
Dream Weaver by the one and only REO Speedwagon
____________________________________________________
Dream weaver, I’m stealin’ on you again
Schemedy feelin’s bring me self-respect
I do encounter extreme pressure, the moment that I deplete your fare
To fall back on again and again, at least as long as you want me
Dream weaver, I’m callin’ for you again
The white-haired sinner, to leave you'd become a legend
To fall back on when times get hard, how I wish you would give me the same
But dream weaver, weave us that dream today
Weave us that dream today
A non-believer said that I’m a fool, a cool deceiver, follow your own rules
Could it may be that I found a way to keep me right of the blues to pay
I’ll chase you down but the big push on, lead us both from the depression blues
Dream weaver, I’m callin’ for you again
The white-haired sinner, to leave you'd become a legend
To fall back on when times get hard, how I wish you would give me the same
But dream weaver, weave us that dream today
Weave us that dream today
Dream weaver, I’m callin’ for you again
The white-haired sinner, to leave you'd become a legend
To fall back on when times get hard, how I wish you would give me the same
But dream weaver, weave us that dream today
Weave us that dream today
Weave us that dream today
Weave us that dream today
riversidepete 61
mike murphy didn't have a strong singing voice....but he was still better than cronin