The Mike Flowers Pops (also known as The Mike Flowers Pops Orchestra) is a … Read Full Bio ↴The Mike Flowers Pops (also known as The Mike Flowers Pops Orchestra) is a British easy listening band fronted by Mike Flowers (real name: Mike Roberts) and supported by the "Sounds Superb Singers" and "Super Stereo Brass". There were between 13 and 14 of them on stage at any time. The band is known for lounge music covers of both older and contemporary pop music.

The band became famous in the UK in 1995 when they released a cover version of Oasis' hit song "Wonderwall". Flowers had been recruited by BBC Radio 1 DJ Kevin Greening to cover the 'Hits of 95' for Greening's Saturday show; "Wonderwall" was his first week's project. Chris Evans heard the song and made it 'single of the week' on his Radio 1 breakfast show, telling listeners that this was the original version of the song. The single, issued by London Records under the name The Mike Flowers Pops, was released while the Oasis original was still in the UK Singles Chart, and itself reached the Top 10. Flowers' version peaked at number 2 in the Christmas 1995 chart, beaten to the number 1 spot by Michael Jackson's "Earth Song". Oasis had previously refused to let other novelty acts parody the song, but were said to have enjoyed Flowers' tape so much that they allowed the group to cut it . The B-side of the single featured the songs "Son of God" and "Theme From Memory Man".

Following the success of "Wonderwall", The Mike Flowers Pops toured festivals in Europe as well as British universities. At the end of 1996 they toured Britain with Gary Glitter on his last 'Who's in the Gang' tour. They played large venues including Wembley Arena and Birmingham NEC. A cover version of The Doors' "Light My Fire" also reached the Top 40 of the UK chart.

1999
The Mike Flowers Pops Lyrics

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I was dreamin' when I wrote this
Forgive me if it goes astray
But when I woke up this mornin'
Could of sworn it was judgment day

The sky was all purple
There were people runnin' everywhere
Tryin' to run from the destruction

You know I didn't even care

'Cause they say two thousand zero zero
Party over, oops out of time
So tonight I'm gonna party like it's 1999

I was dreamin' when I wrote this
So sue me if I go to fast
But life is just a party
And parties weren't meant to last

War is all around us
My mind says prepare to fight
So if I gotta die
I'm gonna listen to my body tonight

Yeah, they say two thousand zero zero
Party over, oops out of time
So tonight I'm gonna party like it's 1999
Yeah, yeah

Lemme tell ya somethin'
If you didn't come to party
Don't bother knockin' on my door
I got a lion in my pocket
And baby he's ready to roar, yeah yeah

Everybody's got a bomb
We could all die here today, uhh
But before I'll let that happen
I'll dance my life away

They say two thousand zero zero
Party over, oops out of time
We're runnin' outta time
So tonight, we gonna, we gonna (tonight I'm gonna party like it's 1999)

Say it one more time
Two thousand zero zero
Party over, oops out of time
Yeah, yeah
So tonight we gonna, we gonna (tonight I'm gonna party like it's 1999)

1999 (1999)
Don't ya want to go (1999)
Don't ya want to go (1999)
We could all die here today (1999)

I don't want to die
I'd rather dance my life away

Overall Meaning

The opening lines “I was dreamin' when I wrote this, forgive me if it goes astray” suggest that the lyrics were inspired by a dream and may not necessarily make logical sense. The reference to “judgment day” could be interpreted as a biblical allusion to the end of the world, which is a recurring theme in many cultures and religious beliefs. Prince (whose original composition this song is a remake of) was known for incorporating spirituality and religion in his music as well. The lyrics continue with a vivid description of a world in chaos with people running and trying to escape destruction. Despite the chaos around, the singer is unbothered by the events and decides to party like it’s 1999. This line is repeated throughout the song and becomes a catchy anthem for people to let loose and live in the moment before the impending doom of Y2K (the supposed computer glitch that would crash all systems at the turn of the millennium).

The song’s next verse seems to be an allusion to the current state of the world, particularly violence and wars. The singer suggests that if they have to die, they would rather “listen to their body” and dance instead of preparing for a battle. This is followed by a warning that “everybody’s got a bomb” and we could all die at any moment. However, the singer chooses to dance their life away instead of dwelling on the constant threat of danger.

Line by Line Meaning

I was dreamin' when I wrote this
The song begins as a dream that the singer recollects writing before waking up.

Forgive me if it goes astray
The singer admits that the song may not make sense.

But when I woke up this mornin'
The singer transitions from the dream to the present moment.

Could of sworn it was judgment day
The artist was overwhelmed by a sense of impending doom.

The sky was all purple
The world was transformed by an otherworldly event.

There were people runnin' everywhere
The chaos caused by the event sparked a panicked reaction from those around.

Tryin' to run from the destruction
People attempted to flee from the unknown danger.

You know I didn't even care
The artist was apathetic towards the danger.

'Cause they say two thousand zero zero Party over, oops out of time
The year 2000 was believed to be a time when the world as we knew it would come to an end.

So tonight I'm gonna party like it's 1999
The artist resolves to enjoy the present moment in anticipation of the world's supposed end.

But life is just a party
The singer views life as a temporary celebration.

And parties weren't meant to last
All good things must come to an end.

War is all around us
The world is in a constant state of conflict.

My mind says prepare to fight
The singer is prepared to do what is necessary in the face of danger.

So if I gotta die
The singer is willing to risk their life for a greater cause.

I'm gonna listen to my body tonight
The artist indulges in their desires and impulses.

If you didn't come to party Don't bother knockin' on my door
The artist is only interested in spending time with people who know how to enjoy themselves.

I got a lion in my pocket And baby he's ready to roar, yeah yeah
The singer is confident and ready to unleash their inner wildness.

Everybody's got a bomb We could all die here today
Everyone is living with the possibility of sudden death.

But before I'll let that happen I'll dance my life away
Even in the face of death, the artist will continue to celebrate and live their life.

We're runnin' outta time
The end of the world is fast approaching.

1999 (1999) Don't ya want to go (1999) Don't ya want to go (1999) We could all die here today (1999)
The song's title is repeated, emphasizing the idea that the year 1999 is a time to live carefree and without regrets, since it may be our last opportunity to do so.

I don't want to die I'd rather dance my life away
The singer values living life to the fullest and enjoying the present moment, rather than worrying about death and the future.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PRINCE ROGERS NELSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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