Smith made his recorded debut in 1994 as part of IQ Procedure through Suburban Base’s short-lived hip hop imprint Bluntly Speaking Vinyl. He debuted as Roots Manuva the same year on Blak Twang's "Queen’s Head” single, before releasing his own single, “Next Type of Motion” the following year. 1996 saw the release of his collaborations with Skitz (“Where My Mind Is At”/”Blessed Be the Manner”). The release of “Feva” followed in 1997; this was also the year that saw the first releases from Big Dada, a collaboration between Coldcut’s Ninja Tune label and hip hop journalist Will Ashon.
Releasing for Coldcut's renowned experimental/hip-hop label Ninja Tune in 1998, some of his music may be seen as a predecessor of grime. The following year he released his fearsome debut album, “Brand New Second Hand”. Manuva was rewarded for his breakthrough with a MOBO as Best Hip Hop Act that year. He has also relesed 2001's “Run Come Save Me”, followed the next year by “Dub Come Save Me” in, which features dub remixes of five songs from the previous album alongside new work. This was followed up with the release of “Awfully Deep” in 2005 and “Alternately Deep” in 2006.
The lyrics of his songs are usually known to take a distinctly British edge, with many critics highlighting his references of eating cheese on toast and drinking bitter as examples of this. His warm and easily recognizable voice can be heard on many songs he performed with other artists such as Chali 2na (of Jurassic 5 & Ozomatli), DJ Shadow, U.N.K.L.E., Nightmares on Wax, The Cinematic Orchestra, Beth Orton and Leftfield. He also made an appearance on the Gorillaz album, Demon Days, lending his distinctive vocals to the track, "All Alone".
Dreamy Days
Roots Manuva Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dreamy days, come what may, we feel no way
there's gonna be fun and lots of laughter
Dah dah dah dah dah
Dreamy days, come what may, we feel no way
there's gonna be fun and lots of laughter
I'm just a long foot barely talk
Take a little peep under that frock tonight
But there be no body pop pop tonight
You know my style I keep it on a holy outa body mind blown
We in some zone
So how deep can we sow those seeds
and proceed to buck the limit?
Spinnin' in a whirlpool, ecential peek
Messin' around with all those chemical rushes
When natural highs come a whole lot cheeper
Sweet to Geha got me singin' baby baby babe
I got the sudden urge to miss behave
I want to take you away from all the stresses
Buy you nice flowers and expensive dresses
You don't belive me, you think I'm cheesy
Dah dah dah dah dah
Dreamy days, come what may, we feel no way
there's gonna be fun and lots of laughter
Dah dah dah dah dah
Dreamy days, come what may, we feel no way
there's gonna be fun and lots of laughter
I want to feel ya, I want to know ya, I want to hold ya
But at the same time situations are complex
Cause you got perticulars, I got perticulars
Old circles are sick of us
Cause we're walkin' down a prim-rose row
To everything and nothing
So can you picture past the honeymoon
where you beat me with a wooden spoon
And you got me sleepin' on the couch
Now I'm thinkin' who's house is this?
This is my money, this is my pain, these are my drugs
This is my brain, and its never gonna be the same
Dah dah dah dah dah
Dreamy days, come what may, we feel no way
there's gonna be fun and lots of laughter
Dah dah dah dah dah
Dreamy days, come what may, we feel no way
there's gonna be fun and lots of laughter
I'm a one man power house succeding within the scene
Son of the sir(e) livin' the love livin' the dream
Wiper snapers get jeolous it's true they don't know
'Bout my x amount of heart break years of low dough
We professional we dealin' with bussiness
Revolution creap up slap you on the nose bridge
Touces in the back room gettin' the dutch
And these women in my black book they all quite posh
Still I wash my own breif wash my own socks
Some cocks y'all the horny bastards gressy polls
Square peg in a round hole too much show now
Some say I'm arrogent some say I'm laid back
From a counciled fact payin' higher rate tax
Who's the that who's the geeks must be Manuva MC
With a second LP for all the girls I got the vitality
It's my
Dah dah dah dah dah
Dreamy days, come what may, we feel no way
there's gonna be fun and lots of laughter
Dah dah dah dah dah
Dreamy days, come what may, we feel no way
there's gonna be fun and lots of laughter
Dah dah dah dah dah
Dreamy days, come what may, we feel no way
there's gonna be fun and lots of laughter
Dah dah dah dah dah
Dreamy days, come what may, we feel no way
there's gonna be fun and lots of laughter
In Roots Manuva's song Dreamy Days, he speaks about carefree, joyful days where he and his loved one feel no worries or problems. He wants to let loose and be a little mischievous but also wishes to love her tenderly and take her away from all their stresses. He acknowledges the complex nature of their relationship and how it involves both of their particulars. However, Manuva believes that they are both succeeding within the scene and living the dream. He brings up the topic of how people view him and the perception of his arrogance. Ultimately, the lyrics express Manuva's desire for a life full of happiness and laughter.
Line by Line Meaning
Dah dah dah dah dah
The repeating melody of the song
Dreamy days, come what may, we feel no way
No matter what happens, we are going to enjoy ourselves during these carefree days
there's gonna be fun and lots of laughter
Expect an entertaining and joyful experience
I'm just a long foot barely talk
I am an unassuming person who seldom speaks up
I might take of my shoes might take of my socks
I may become more comfortable and relaxed
Take a little peep under that frock tonight
I want to catch a glimpse of what is under your dress tonight
But there be no body pop pop tonight
However, there will be no intimacy tonight
You know my style I keep it on a holy outa body mind blown
I have a particular style of living that is spiritual and awe-inspiring
We in some zone
We are in a unique state of mind
So how deep can we sow those seeds
How profound can we make an impact in our lives?
and proceed to buck the limit?
How can we surpass the restrictions in our lives?
Spinnin' in a whirlpool, ecential peek
We are spinning in a vortex of intense emotion and introspection
Messin' around with all those chemical rushes
We are experimenting with drugs and their effects on our emotions
When natural highs come a whole lot cheeper
However, there are cheaper, healthier ways to experience similar sensations
Sweet to Geha got me singin' baby baby babe
You are so sweet and amazing that it makes me break into song
I got the sudden urge to miss behave
You make me feel spontaneous and impulsive in a good way
I want to take you away from all the stresses
I want to offer you an escape from the pressures of everyday life
Buy you nice flowers and expensive dresses
I want to shower you with luxurious gifts
You don't belive me, you think I'm cheesy
You doubt my sincerity and believe my actions are insincere
I want to feel ya, I want to know ya, I want to hold ya
I want to experience intimacy and commitment with you
But at the same time situations are complex
However, our circumstances are not straightforward
Cause you got perticulars, I got perticulars
We both have issues and concerns that make our relationship complicated
Old circles are sick of us
Our friends and family are tired of our relationship drama
Cause we're walkin' down a prim-rose row
Because we are in a relationship that is not always straightforward or easy
To everything and nothing
We are dealing with a lot of uncertainties and contradictions
So can you picture past the honeymoon
Can you imagine our relationship beyond the early, exciting stages?
where you beat me with a wooden spoon
Can you even imagine us in a more tumultuous phase?
And you got me sleepin' on the couch
Can you even see us in a future where we are sleeping apart?
Now I'm thinkin' who's house is this?
We are drifting apart and losing our sense of unity and shared space
This is my money, this is my pain, these are my drugs
We are becoming more possessive and defensive of our personal lives and choices
This is my brain, and its never gonna be the same
We are both undergoing major changes and shifts in our lives and minds
I'm a one man power house succeding within the scene
I am successful and powerful on my own terms
Son of the sir(e) livin' the love livin' the dream
I am a proud and successful person living a life of passion and fulfillment
Wiper snapers get jeolous it's true they don't know
People who don't understand me or my journey get jealous
'Bout my x amount of heart break years of low dough
They don't know about my numerous heartbreaks and financial struggles
We professional we dealin' with bussiness
I am strictly business and focused on success
Revolution creap up slap you on the nose bridge
Revolutionary changes and ideas are creeping up on us and challenging our beliefs
Touces in the back room gettin' the dutch
I am doing deals and making progress behind closed doors
And these women in my black book they all quite posh
I am surrounded by attractive and sophisticated women
Still I wash my own breif wash my own socks
Despite my success, I am still humble and grounded
Some cocks y'all the horny bastards gressy polls
I am surrounded by crude and vulgar people
Square peg in a round hole too much show now
I am an outsider in certain social settings and feel out of place
Some say I'm arrogent some say I'm laid back
People have conflicting opinions about me and my personality
From a counciled fact payin' higher rate tax
I am successful and have to pay higher taxes as a result
Who's the that who's the geeks must be Manuva MC
I am the famous and respected Manuva MC
With a second LP for all the girls I got the vitality
I have the energy and passion to create a second album for all my fans
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jimmy Webb, Michael Johnson, Rodney Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Charlie Shaw
(Chorus)
Dah dah dah dah dah
Dreamy days, come what may, we feel no way
Theres gonna be fun and lots of laughter
(Chorus: repeat 2X)
I'm just a long foot Bandito
I might take of my shoes, won't take off my socks tonight
Take a little peep under that frock tonight
But there'll be no body pop, pop tonight
You know my style; I keep it on a holy out-of-body mind blown
We in some zone
So how deep can we sow those seeds
And proceed to buck the limit?
Spinnin' in a whirlpool, essential peek
Messin' around with all those chemical rushes
When natural highs come a whole lot cheaper
Sweet Tagita got me singin', baby baby babe
I got the sudden urge to misbehave
I want to take you away from all the stresses
Buy you nice flowers and expensive dresses
You don't believe me, you think I'm cheesy!?
(Chorus: repeat 2X)
I want to feel ya, I want to know ya, I want to hold ya
But at the same time situations are complex
Cause you got particulars, I got particulars
Old circles are sick of us
Cause we're walkin' down a prim-rose road
To everything and nothing
So can you picture past the honeymoon
Where you'll beat me with a wooden spoon
And you got me sleepin' on the couch
Now I'm thinkin' who's house is this?
This is my money, this is my pain
These are my drugs, This is my brain
And its never gonna be the same
Its just
(Chorus: repeat 2X)
I'm a one man power house succeeding within the scene
Son of the soil, livin' the love, livin' the dream
Whipper-snappers get jealous, it's true they don't know
About my x-amount of heart break, years of low dough
We professional, we dealin' with business
Revolution creep up, slap you on the nose bridge
Tuse's in the back room, gettin' the dosh
And these women in my black book, they all quite posh
Still I wash my own brief, wash my own socks
I'm cocksure, the horny bastard's greasy pole
Square peg in a round hole, too much show now
Some say I'm arrogant, some say I'm laid back
From a council flat payin' higher-rate tax
Who's the dad? Who's the geez? Must be me: Manuva MC
With a second LP, for all the girls I got the vitality
It's my
(Chorus: repeat 4X)
X1 pancake
I used to play this on repeat when I was a teenager. He was so underrated. This song still makes me feel a way. ❤️
Joao Mortay
Facts i did the same n still do here n there lol
ReEducated Ronin
I bet you has got nuff stories innit?
Dont deny the truth
Still makes me feel a tingle when i hear that into
CALITRIX
Same
Steven Scaife
The whole album is fantastic. Yeah m not a fan of British hip hop but this is great.
Steve Hudson
I will never get bored of listening to this record. Takes me back to some key moments ❤️
Adam Britain
This is an absolute banger. I don’t get how it’s had so little circulation.
olufemi
Roots Manuva. Such a guy. Always kept it real. Love this song.
Phantom Contender
"Dreamy Days" and "The Falling" have got to be my most favorite Roots Manuva tracks, so much emotion and serious thought in those songs just alot of raw soul and personal care put into them. Rodney Smith you are a lyrical genius dont ever change.