Much like the man himself, Hayes' musical sensibilities defy easy categorization. Just because there's a banjo featured in a track, don't expect it to sound Appalachian -- and certainly don't expect that recurring tuba to have anything to do with Sousa and his severely metered marches. With his new album "Big Black Hole and the Little Baby Star", the North Carolina-bred, San Francisco-rooted artist continues to embrace the multifarious, channeling Billie Holiday in her more melancholy moments (Fucked Me Right Up) or hitting the pavement with broken-hearted, wild eyed friends who take strength in numbers (Calling All Cars). With subject matter that ranges from polka dot panties to innocent death row inmates, it's best to keep an ear cocked to sort out Hayes' lyrics. A masterful songwriter and fingerpicker, the singer plays guitar, mandolin, and banjo on the album.
Etienne de Rocher mans the piano, bass, keyboards and backup harmony vocals, and Ches Smith supplies percussion. Ara Anderson, who's added his horns to Tom Waits' and Jolie Holland's albums, adds some powerful oomph on trumpet and tuba. Hayes says that the process for getting this fourth record together has been "totally organic - - it has to do with time, and how the sound changes because of it, as well as with the people you play with."
A little over a year ago, while playing a warehouse show for local arts and culture mag Kitchen Sink, Hayes bumped into fellow musician de Rocher. It was a fortuitous meeting. De Rocher invited Hayes to record a few songs at his garage studio, and Hayes eventually recorded the whole of Big Black Hole there. Thanks in part to de Rocher's production, the album's sound is a departure from his previous discs. Now, Hayes sounds a little less folky, a little more languid and groovy, as if he loosened the knot on his hobo tie after tossing back a few Don Julios -- a better approximation of his live shows.. - Elka Karl
Dream Machine
Sean Hayes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Man, what you doing?
What you think you can do?
What you are
What you do
Looking out at ripples on the dance floor
Yeah, what you mean iss what you get
Did you forget to know what the end is?
Looking out at ripples on the dance floor
Dream machine
Did you get everything you asked for?
Dream machine
Rattlesnake, a charm on the dance floor
Dance floor, the dance floor
Rattlesnake, a charm on the dance floor
The dance floor, the dance floor
Love's rage, broken page
Electric lights and glass bone nights
Electric lines run through your minds
Distractions with radio contraptions
Pipe ashes, night glasses
Tick tock, hear the wind lick the window
Ignited, you're invited
Growing, sprouting from the backbone
Dream machine
Mr. Jones, you don't know what you came for
Dream machine
Rattlesnake a charm on the dance floor
The dance floor, the dance floor
Rattlesnake, a charm on the dance floor
The dance floor, the dance floor
Dream machine
Dream machine
We are like those two mirrors
Steaming in the rain
Oh we are those two lovers
Holding each other's hands
Dream with me
Dream with me
Rattlesnake, a charm on the dance floor
The dance floor, the dance floor
Rattlesnake, a charm on the dance floor
The dance floor, the dance floor
Rattlesnake, a charm on the dance floor
The dance floor, the dance floor
Rattlesnake, a charm on the dance floor
The dance floor, the dance floor
What you thinking of?
What you doing?
What you think you can do?
What you are what you do
Looking out at ripples on the dance floor
The song "Dream Machine" by Sean Hayes explores the idea of the choices we make in life and how they shape our experiences. The lyrics seem to be directed at someone who is contemplating their next move, questioning whether they are truly aware of what they want and what the consequences of their actions will be. The first few lines in the song ask the person what they are thinking of and what they intend to do. The repetition of the phrase "looking out at ripples on the dance floor" suggests that the person is hesitant to take action and is instead taking a contemplative approach to their decisions.
The chorus of the song introduces the idea of the "dream machine" - a metaphor for the things we desire and strive for in life. The line "did you get everything you asked for?" implies that even when we achieve our goals, we may not necessarily be satisfied. The line "rattlesnake, a charm on the dance floor" is a reference to how we can become enamored by things that are dangerous or harmful to us, but still find them alluring.
Line by Line Meaning
What you thinking of?
Asking the listener about their thoughts and ideas
Man, what you doing?
Asking the listener about their actions and activities
What you think you can do?
Asking the listener about their abilities and potential
What you are
Asking the listener about their identity and essence
What you do
Asking the listener about their actions and behaviors
Looking out at ripples on the dance floor
Observing the movement and energy of the dancers on the dance floor
Yeah, what you mean iss what you get
Emphasizing the importance of clear communication and understanding in order to achieve desired outcomes
Did you forget to know what the end is?
Questioning if the listener has lost sight of their goals and ambitions
To begin clearing
Suggesting that the first step to achieving goals is to gain clarity and direction
Dream machine
Referring to the idea of an imaginary tool to help manifest one's dreams into reality
Did you get everything you asked for?
Asking if the listener has achieved their desired outcomes
Rattlesnake, a charm on the dance floor
Using a metaphor to describe the power and allure of the energetic dance floor
Love's rage, broken page
Describing the intense and complex emotions associated with love and heartbreak
Electric lights and glass bone nights
Painting a vivid picture of a vibrant and fragile nightlife scene
Electric lines run through your minds
Connecting the idea of electrical power with the power of the human mind and imagination
Distractions with radio contraptions
Commenting on how technology can both enhance and distract from our experiences in life
Pipe ashes, night glasses
Describing the sensory details of a person's environment and state of mind
Tick tock, hear the wind lick the window
Depicting the passage of time and the sounds of the natural world
Ignited, you're invited
Encouraging the listener to embrace their passions and interests
Growing, sprouting from the backbone
Invoking the metaphor of a plant growing from a strong and stable foundation
Mr. Jones, you don't know what you came for
Addressing the listener directly and questioning their motives
We are like those two mirrors / Steaming in the rain / Oh we are those two lovers / Holding each other's hands
Describing the intimacy and connection between two people in a romantic setting
Dream with me
Inviting the listener to join in the act of dreaming and imagining the possibilities
The dance floor, the dance floor / Rattlesnake, a charm on the dance floor
Repeating the earlier line to emphasize its symbolism and significance
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Sean Padrick Hayes, Mark Farina
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nsane Bailey
Probably my favorite song ever🥰. What a timeless song
James Dickinson
One of the best tracks of all time ever. Farina you are a legend.
Bob Rudolph
My favorite track while making car liveries in GT Sport.
Laura Hawke
My 12 yr old introduced me to this song😊
weprodigy
I Love it
Brent H
I lived life in opposite. I was and am a househead first. I’m also a deadhead. I was listening to Ripple by Grateful Dead tonight and it brought me here. Love this song. There are so many similarities between deadheads and us old school club kids. I guess that’s why I’m one in the same. Spinning skull and roses on one of the two techniques 1200’s
Claire
THIS!!! that pretty much sums up my whole life, thanks
joseph hertzberg
I still remember the deadheads coming over to club Vinyl at Hudson and Hubert for Body&soul back around the turn of the century.
The scenes both hold a lot of similarities and love.
44 Magnum
Will take it to pass through an ancient pagan labyrinth
Darian Topkin
Lovely