The Mods is the name of more than one artist:
1) Japanese punk rock band… Read Full Bio ↴The Mods is the name of more than one artist:
1) Japanese punk rock band
2) 60s Swiss garage rock band
3) Canadian punk band
4) The Norwegian band "MODS" have also been labeled as The Mods
5) Finnish garage rock band
6) 60s Florida garage rock band
7) 60s Dallas/Forth Worth garage rock band
8) 60s Swiss garage rock band
9) 60s Toledo garage rock band
10) late 70s UK mod group
11) mid 1960s Dutch beat group
12) Pakistani surf rock band

1) The Mods 「ザ・モッズ」are a Japanese punk rock band, formed in 1974. The band consists of 森山達也(Tatsuya Moriyama - Vocals and Guitar), 苣木寛之(Hiroyuki Chisaki - Guitar and Vocals), and 北里晃一(Koichi Kitazato - Bass).(ex member 梶浦雅裕(Masahiro Kajiura - Drums))

They have been making music together for over 25 years and retain an enthusiastic cult following in their home country, especially as a live band. They quite often sing in English, and their sound and attitude could be compared to The Clash and other London punk bands of the late 1970s.

Discography:

FIGHT OR FLIGHT（1981）
NEWS BEAT（1981）
LOOK OUT（1982）
GANG ROCKER（1983）
HANDS UP（1983）
JAIL GUNS（1984）
BLUE～Midnight Highway（1985）
BEAT ODYSSEY（1986）
CORNER（1986）
JUKE JOING（1987）
YUM-YUM GIMME SOME（1987）
EASY COME EASY GO（1988）
NAPALM ROCK（1989）
PROUD ONES（1990）
叛～REBEL（1991）
LEATHER FILE 1981～1991（1991)
F.A.B.（1992）
TIES（1993）
TRUST ME TRUST YOU（1993）
RODEO LIVE VOL.1（1994）
RODEO LIVE VOL.2（1994）
JUNGLE CRUSE 1991～1994（1995）
KILBURN BRATS（1995）
ZA MOZZ（1996）
easy listening（1997）
CLOUD 9（1998）
KOWLOON JUNK（1999）
Paradice（2000）
RISING SUN（2001）
THE MODS BEST "Records"（2001)
ROCKAHOLIC（2002）
THE LEGEND THE MODS GOLDEN 80's COLLECTION（2003)
THE MODS BEST（2003）
NO EXCUSE!（2003）
COMPADRE（2003）
LIVE WITH ROCK'N'ROLL（2004）
DAILY HOWL（2005）
FIGHT OR FLIGHT WASING（2006）

Their home page can be found at http://www.themods.jp/

DREAM ON
The Mods Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Rise and shine
Crossing boarders can be fun
Causing crime
No relief from what you've done

Refried beans, U.S. dreams
Pancho villa lives next door to me

Time to ride
In your Chevy you look sharp
Rising crimes
Broken bottles in the park

Jesus Christ
Those velvet paintings sure look nice
Pay the price
Oranges, pesos or your life

Baseball, apple pie, Chevy U.S. dream

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Mods's song DREAM ON highlight the concept of the 'American Dream' and the lengths people are willing to go to achieve it. 'Rise and Shine' brings to mind the idea of a new day, of new opportunities to make something of oneself. 'Crossing borders can be fun, causing crime, no relief from what you've done' highlights the desperation that often accompanies people's attempts to make it in America. They may feel like they have to break the law to succeed and once they do, there is no turning back.

'Refried beans, US dreams, Pancho Villa lives next door to me' reinforces the notion of the American Dream being a melting pot of cultures, as well as highlighting the juxtaposition of American prosperity next to Mexican poverty. 'Time to ride, in your Chevy you look sharp, rising crimes, broken bottles in the park' speaks to the image America tries to project versus the reality of living in America. The dream is supposed to be one of comfort and security, but the streets are often unsafe and the reality is far from glamorous.

'Jesus Christ, those velvet paintings sure look nice, pay the price, oranges, pesos, or your life' brings to mind the idea of people willing to do whatever it takes to make money in America. The velvet paintings are a specific stereotype of Mexicans selling crafts to Americans, but the idea of American consumerism driving the need for these products is also highlighted. The line 'Baseball, apple pie, Chevy U.S. dream' brings everything back to the iconic images of America and the dream it promotes. However, the reality is much more complex and often fraught with danger.

Line by Line Meaning

Rise and shine
Wake up and start the day

Crossing boarders can be fun
Traveling to new places is exciting

Causing crime
Engaging in illegal activities

No relief from what you've done
The consequences of your actions cannot be undone

Refried beans, U.S. dreams
Mexican food and American ideals

Pancho villa lives next door to me
A famous Mexican revolutionary is my neighbor

Time to ride
It's time to go

In your Chevy you look sharp
You look cool in your car

Rising crimes
Increased criminal activity

Broken bottles in the park
Evidence of vandalism

Jesus Christ
Exclamation of surprise or shock