They are notable for being the first of the British punk bands to release a single, put out an album, and tour the United States. Their debut album, Damned Damned Damned, was released six months before The Sex Pistols' debut, Never Mind The Bollocks.
The Damned have dissolved and reformed many times, with singer Dave Vanian remaining the sole constant. They have incorporated many styles in their music, most notably garage rock, psychedelic music, the British theatrical rock of Screaming Lord Sutch and The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, and New Romantic.
In addition to serving as inspiration for many of the young bands who created hardcore punk in the US, The Damned are also generally regarded as one of the founders of goth music.
Original members Dave Vanian (David Lett), Captain Sensible (Raymond Burns), and Rat Scabies (Chris Millar) were all members of the semi-legendary Masters of the Backside which included future Pretenders frontwoman Chrissie Hynde.
Original guitarist Brian James (Brian Robertson) was a member of the early punk band London SS, a unit that never played live, but whose members later found fame in bands including The Clash and Generation X. Rat Scabies was also tried as the drummer for London SS, but was rejected.
Maintaining the goth connection, between 1996 and 2004 the bass guitarist of the Damned was one-time the Sisters of Mercy / the Sisterhood / Gun Club member Patricia Morrison. Morrison married Dave Vanian in 1996 but left the band after the birth of their daughter Emily. She originally joined the band after bassist Paul Grey was injured during a concert.
Discography:
Damned, Damned, Damned – February 25, 1977 (# 36)
Music For Pleasure – November 18, 1977
Machine Gun Etiquette – November 2, 1979 (# 31)
The Black Album – October 20, 1980 (# 29)
Strawberries – October 1, 1982 (# 15)
Phantasmagoria – July 15, 1985 (# 11)
Anything – December 5, 1986 (# 40)
Not of This Earth – November 11, 1995 (Retitled I'm Alright Jack & The Beanstalk in the UK, Germany and Sweden)
Grave Disorder – August 21, 2001
So, Who's Paranoid? – October 28, 2008
Evil Spirits – April 13, 2018
Darkadelic - April 28, 2023
Is It A Dream
The Damned Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Am I all alone (he's all alone)
A vision of mine is becoming clear
Its all so new it can't be true
Sometimes the words appear in my head
Sometimes I'm falling out of my bed
Oh, is it a dream
Oh is it a dream
What have I seen
I know a man he's really awful nice
He isn't here
We whiled away an evening maybe two
But what did that man really do
Sometimes I feel like walking away
Sometimes there's something I've got to say
Oh, is it a dream
What does it mean
Oh is it a dream
What have I seen
Then suddenly
Like a fly in a cup of tea
I'm stirred and no longer free
To fly away
I think back to the other life
That was borrowed the other night
Could It be that it just might
Drive me wild
Oh is it a dream
Oh is it a dream
Oh is it a dream
Oh is it a dream
Am I dreaming?
The Damned’s song “Is It A Dream” is a confusing yet intriguing experience for the listener. The song starts with the line “stand in a line like a parking meter” which suggests the feeling of being robotic and limited. The following line, “Am I all alone,” sounds as though the singer is questioning their own existence and isolation. The lyric “a vision of mine is becoming clear, it's all so new it can't be true” suggests a feeling of clarity that is not yet relatable, almost like a sense of detachment from reality.
The chorus, “Oh, is it a dream, what does it mean? What have I seen?” brings to mind a sense of confusion and bewilderment, leaving the listener to wonder if the singer is questioning something that has just happened or if it is all a dream sequence. The following verse introduces a man who is “really awful nice”, but the singer is unsure of what their experience with him really meant. The line, “sometimes there's something I've got to say,” gives the listener an understanding that the singer is unsure of their own thoughts and emotions.
The song ends with “Am I dreaming?” leaving the listener in the same state of confusion as the singer. Overall, “Is It A Dream” provokes thoughts of uncertainty and confusion, and it is up to the listener to interpret and understand its message.
Line by Line Meaning
Stand in a line like a parking meter
Feeling stationary, stagnant and insignificant
Am I all alone (he's all alone)
Questioning one's solitude and isolation
A vision of mine is becoming clear
Experiencing newfound clarity and understanding
Its all so new it can't be true
Feeling disbelief and uncertainty about the changes
Sometimes the words appear in my head
Experiencing a flood of thoughts and ideas
Sometimes I'm falling out of my bed
Experiencing disorientation and confusion
Oh, is it a dream
Questioning the reality of the situation
What does it mean
Searching for the significance and purpose of the experience
What have I seen
Reflecting on the details of the experience
I know a man he's really awful nice
Describing a person who appears pleasant on the surface
He isn't here
Not sure of the person's whereabouts or true nature
We whiled away an evening maybe two
Spent time in a leisurely manner with the person
But what did that man really do
Questioning the true intentions and actions of the person
Sometimes I feel like walking away
Experiencing the urge to leave or escape
Sometimes there's something I've got to say
Feeling the need to express oneself
Then suddenly
Suddenly experiencing a dramatic shift or change
Like a fly in a cup of tea
Feeling trapped or helpless
I'm stirred and no longer free
Experiencing a loss of freedom or control
To fly away
To escape the situation or experience
I think back to the other life
Reflecting on a past experience or time
That was borrowed the other night
Recalling a temporary or fleeting experience
Could It be that it just might
Entertaining the possibility that it could happen again
Drive me wild
Experiencing intense excitement or frustration
Oh is it a dream
Continuing to question the reality of the experience
Am I dreaming?
Confirming that the experience feels surreal and uncertain
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jana Elizabeth Sekelski
Ohh, is it a dream? Great version ❤
ClydeJarrod37UK
Always wondered how the girl in the Grimly picture kept her dress up. I've got the gatefold btw.