In the early '70s, Television began as the Neon Boys, a group featuring guitarist/vocalist Tom Verlaine, drummer Billy Ficca, and bassist Richard Hell. At the end of 1973 in New York City, New York, the group reunited under the name Television, adding rhythm guitarist Richard Lloyd. The following year, the band made its live debut at New York's Townhouse theater and began to build up an underground following. Soon, their fan base was large enough that Verlaine was able to persuade CBGB to begin featuring live bands on a regular basis; the club would become an important venue for punk and new wave bands. Television was the first punk/new wave bands to play at CBGB. That year, Verlaine played guitar on Patti Smith's first single, "Hey Joe"/"Piss Factory," as well as wrote a book of poetry with the singer.
Television recorded a demo tape for Island Records with Brian Eno in 1975, yet the label decided not to sign the band. Hell left the band after the recording of the demo tape, forming the Heartbreakers with former New York Dolls guitarist Johnny Thunders; the following year, he began a solo career supported by the Voidoids, releasing a debut album, Blank Generation, in 1977. Hell was replaced by ex-Blondie bassist Fred Smith and Television recorded "Little Johnny Jewel," releasing it on their own Ork record label. "Little Johnny Jewel" became an underground hit, attracting the attention of major record labels. In 1976, the band released a British EP on Stiff Records, which expanded their reputation. They signed with Elektra Records and began recording their debut album.
Marquee Moon, the group's first album, was released in early 1977 to great critical acclaim, yet it failed to attract a wide audience in America; in the U.K., it reached number 28 on the charts, launching the Top 40 single "Prove It." Television supported Blondie on the group's 1977 tour, but the shows didn't increase the group's following significantly.
Television released their second album, Adventure, in the spring of 1978. While its American sales were better than those of Marquee Moon, the record didn't make the charts; in Britain, it became a Top Ten hit. Months later, the group suddenly broke up, largely due to tensions between the two guitarists. Smith rejoined Blondie, while Verlaine and Lloyd both pursued solo careers; Lloyd also played on John Doe's first solo album, as well as joined Matthew Sweet's supporting band with the 1991 album Girlfriend.
Nearly 14 years after their breakup, Television re-formed in late 1991, recording a new, self titled album for Capitol Records. The reunited band began its comeback with a performance at England's Glastonbury summer festival in 1992, releasing Television a couple months later. The album received good reviews, as did the tour that followed, yet the reunion was short-lived — the group disbanded again in early 1993. In 2001, Television again reunited for a handful of shows in the U.K., as well as an appearance at the Noise Pop Festival in Chicago.
The Dream
Television Lyrics
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Baby the night is young I wanna see the town
Running away from the shadows of our past
Is there a way we could make this night last all our lives
Cause I'm happy when you're around
I'm not waiting anymore
My legs are getting sore
From dancing all night long
Do you want me too
I remember you
I like the way you move
I remember you
It felt just like a dream
It felt just like a dream
"Baby I wanna go out with you tonight / Baby the night is young I wanna see the town" is a classic invitation to a night out, but it's also an expression of the singer's desire to escape from their past. The night and the city are symbols of possibility, of a new start, and the singer is eager to seize the moment.
"Running away from the shadows of our past / Is there a way we could make this night last all our lives" confirms that the singer is looking for a new beginning. The shadows of the past are a burden that the two characters want to leave behind, and they are hoping that this night will be a turning point. The second line is poignant because it highlights the ephemeral nature of happiness. In the moment, the night seems to promise a forever of joy and excitement, but the reality is inevitably more complex.
The chorus is the emotional center of the song: "I remember you / I like the way you move / I remember you / It felt just like a dream." Here, the singer is looking back to a past encounter with the person they are addressing in the song. The memory is hazy and dreamlike, but it's still vivid enough to evoke strong feelings. The focus on movement – "the way you move" – is interesting because it suggests that the singer is drawn to a sense of freedom and fluidity, perhaps as a reaction to the constraints of their past.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby I wanna go out with you tonight
Expressing a desire to spend time with the person being addressed.
Baby the night is young I wanna see the town
The night is full of possibilities and the singer wants to explore the city with the person they are talking to.
Running away from the shadows of our past
Trying to escape from the negative experiences and memories of the past.
Is there a way we could make this night last all our lives
Questioning whether it is possible to extend the happiness of the current moment for eternity.
Cause I'm happy when you're around
The presence of the person being addressed brings the artist joy.
I'm not waiting anymore
Expressing a sense of urgency and a desire to take action now.
My legs are getting sore
Physical exhaustion due to dancing and being active for a long time.
From dancing all night long
Activity and enjoyment throughout the entire night.
So now i want you
The artist is expressing their desire to be with the person they are talking to.
Do you want me too
The artist is asking if the person they are talking to feels the same way.
I remember you
Recalling a positive memory of the person being addressed.
I like the way you move
Appreciating the physical movements and presence of the person being addressed.
It felt just like a dream
The experience or moment being described felt unreal or too good to be true.
It felt just like a dream
Repeating the sentiment expressed in the previous line for emphasis.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Aman Sidhu
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind