The River City Rebels are a rock and roll band that began in Vermont in the… Read Full Bio ↴The River City Rebels are a rock and roll band that began in Vermont in the summer of 1999. Throughout many line up and stylistic changes, they have successfully managed to put out 7 albums with front-man Dan O'day and keyboardist Brandon Rainer being constants. Originally on Victory Records, the band put out their first 4 albums. After a falling out and leaving Victory, the Rebels signed up with Rolling Thunder to record their 5th album in early 2006. "Keepsake of Luck" came out on Silver Sprocket on September 25, 2007. After parting with Rolling Thunder, the Rebels started their own record label, Mod House Productions, and independently recorded their 6th album, "In Love, Loveless," in Canaan, NH and Sarasota, FL and their 7th album, "Done With Love", in Lebanon, NH.

On August 18, 2014, RCR held a reunion/farewell show in Lebanon, NH. All former members of the band were invited to come and play at this swan song performance. Approximately 16 members were able to attend, each playing on songs that they helped to produce or toured on, others filling in where necessary. The band has not toured or recorded official new material since then, though numerous side-projects have popped up over the years.

Drawing inspiration from the likes of The Clash, Bruce Springsteen, T.Rex, Bob Dylan, Gram Parsons, The Rolling Stones, and many others, The River City Rebels seize "The true essence of rock and roll music," and shake the shit out of the non-believers!

Dreamy 17
River City Rebels Lyrics

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In the moonlight your smile glows
Your hair just parts right
I'll never forget those summer nights
If one and one wasn't two
My love would never be true
If I kissed you now
Would you 'member me later? would ya 'member?

Love for the lucky ones
Misery for the masses
Love for the lucky ones
Misery for the masses
Dreamy 17
Dreamy 17
Dreamy 17
We're the lucky ones

Lay those lips on me babe
Let's talk about world domination
And the baron's kill kill count count (count)
You gave me Tom Waits
I gave you T-Rex
If I kissed you now
Would you 'member me later? would ya 'member?

Love for the lucky ones
Misery for the masses
Love for the lucky ones
Misery for the masses
Dreamy 17
Dreamy 17
Dreamy 17
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah (yeah), Yeah (yeah), Yeah (yeah), Yeah!

Take it, Patti Bo!

Love, love, for the lucky
Love, love, for the lucky

Love, love, for the lucky
Love, love, for the lucky lucky lucky lucky ones!

Overall Meaning

The River City Rebels's song "Dreamy 17" tells a story of love and memories. The singer describes a person, whose smile and hair he will never forget, reminiscing about their summer romance. The lyrics suggest that their love is true, as the singer would not love them if one and one wasn't two. However, the uncertainty and fear of being forgotten linger, as the singer wonders whether the person would remember him later if they kissed now.

The chorus of the song juxtaposes love and misery, showing how love brings happiness to the lucky ones, while the masses suffer from misery. The mention of world domination and baron's kill count portrays a sense of rebellion and dissatisfaction with the status quo. The lyrics suggest that the singer and the person share similar tastes in music, with Tom Waits and T-Rex mentioned. The song ends on a positive note, celebrating the lucky ones who have found love.

Line by Line Meaning

In the moonlight your smile glows
Your smile looks radiant in the moonlight

Your hair just parts right
Your hair looks beautiful the way it is parted

I'll never forget those summer nights
I will always remember those summer nights we spent together

If one and one wasn't two
If we weren't meant to be together

My love would never be true
I wouldn't be able to love you truly

If I kissed you now
If I kissed you at this moment

Would you 'member me later? would ya 'member?
Would you remember me later after the kiss?

Love for the lucky ones
Love is meant for the fortunate ones

Misery for the masses
The majority of people face misery in life

Dreamy 17
Being 17 feels like a dream

We're the lucky ones
We are the fortunate ones to experience love