The band existed from 1967 to 1970, after which Chilton went on to lead the legendary Big Star.
The single "Neon Rainbow" was used in television adverts for the UK telecoms company, Talk Talk, in 2009/2010.
Turn on a Dream
The Box Tops Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We got to get together
Because all I want to do is think about you
Don't you know there's no other?
[Chorus:]
Just turn on a dream, girl
That's all I want to do is dream, girl
Why can't you see?
What can I do?
You won't let me show you.
Don't you know that I know you?
When I'm down and my daytime's blue, I get by thinking of you
[Chorus]
I close my eyes I can see
I can feel that it's real
I can turn out the sad, turn on the glad
Shifting sand like an hourglass,
Waiting for the time to pass
But I'll keep waiting like I always do,
Dreaming sunny dreams of you
[Chorus]
Yeah
The lyrics of "Turn on a Dream" by The Box Tops speak of a desire to be together with a loved one who is currently far away. The singer is besotted with the person and finds solace in thinking about them, but longs for their presence, stating that all they want to do is dream about being together. The chorus urges the love interest to "just turn on a dream" and think about the possibilities of their relationship, emphasizing the singer's longing and inability to physically be with their loved one.
Despite the singer's clear affection, the lyrics also express frustration with the current situation. The singer appears to have attempted to show their love interest how they feel, but to no avail. The repeated statement of "don't you know" and "why can't you see" indicate a strong desire for reciprocation but with no clear indication that it is being received. Despite this difficulty, the lyrics show a determined optimism. The singer is steadfast in their feelings, describing themselves as "waiting like I always do" and continuing to dream of a future with their love interest.
Line by Line Meaning
We're too far away from each other
Physical or emotional distance is separating the two, causing them to feel disconnected.
We got to get together
The singer wants to bridge the gap between them and be close to the other person.
Because all I want to do is think about you
The singer can't help but think about the other person, making them a constant presence in their mind.
Don't you know there's no other?
To the artist, there is no one else they want to be with.
Just turn on a dream, girl
The artist wants to escape reality and imagine a world where they are together with this person.
That's all I want to do is dream, girl
Daydreaming about being with the other person is a constant source of comfort for the singer.
Just think about you and me, yeah, and how it could be
Envisioning a life together with the other person is a regular occurrence for the singer.
Why can't you see?
The artist is frustrated that the other person doesn't seem to understand their feelings.
What can I do?
The artist is at a loss as to how to get the other person to reciprocate their feelings.
You won't let me show you.
The other person is seemingly unreceptive to the artist's advances.
Don't you know that I know you?
The singer believes that they understand the other person, but that understanding isn't being reciprocated.
When I'm down and my daytime's blue, I get by thinking of you
Thinking about the other person helps the artist get through difficult times.
I close my eyes I can see
Visualizing the other person helps the singer feel closer to them.
I can feel that it's real
The singer's daydreams feel so vivid that they could be mistaken for reality.
I can turn out the sad, turn on the glad
Daydreaming provides solace from negative emotions.
Shifting sand like an hourglass,
Time is steadily moving forward, whether or not things change between the artist and the other person.
Waiting for the time to pass
The artist is waiting for something to happen, but they're not sure what.
But I'll keep waiting like I always do,
The singer is resigned to waiting for something to change, even if they don't know what that is.
Dreaming sunny dreams of you
Daydreaming about the other person helps the singer feel good.
Yeah
An affirmation that the artist's feelings are real and that they matter.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARK JAMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Colemann76
So many underrated songs from this band
bendy kay
GREAT BAND!!! I was born in 58, grew up listening to them, GOSH I loved their music back then, and LOVE THEM EVEN MORE TODAY! THANKS FOR POSTING THIS MIX OF THEIR MUSIC.
David Thomas Neuses
Real musicians, no synthesizers, no gadgets to correct out of tune voices or instruments and a warmth and depth that is lacking in today's "music" that nobody would listen to if it didn't have some cheesy/sleazy video to accompany it.
Mark Muffs
what's so phony in the last 20-30 years is that songs are seldom recorded all at once. Some tracks are recorded miles away from where they were started.
Moon Raker
I like this song, good bass line, Great '60's Band!
Colemann76
Should have been a hit
Walter Fisher
3-4 years earlier, would have been a major hit. Great song.
Bkay Cx
LOVE THIS SONG.
Mark Muffs
The 60s were about over. But before they ended we had gems like this (released in Sept, '69)
jsaw200
great song