Their sound bums a smoke off the nonchalant cool of Richard Hell, dips it in the irresistible swagger of The Strokes, and lights it up on the embers of 50’s rebel charm and 60’s garage mania (think mildew-damaged Dion & the Belmonts getting it on with The Animals). Then they exhale, breathing life into a brand new generation jonesing for a hit of something to call their own. Them Terribles are your new favorite band.
Front man (and chief songwriter) Matt Green’s vocals croon and crack like the lizard king choking on a mouthful of pop rocks and Coca Cola. He’s a transplant, born in New Jersey, then adopted by Los Angelino parents who happened to live next door to a member of The Eagles, who incidentally kick started Matt’s music fixation by giving him a drum kit.
Eventually, Matt ditched the drums in favor of guitar and piano after moving up to Santa Barbara where he met his future partners in crime: Guitarist Jonny Black and Joey Benenati whose dad (a member of underground power-pop legends The Tearaways) raised him on a steady diet of verses and choruses.
After cutting their teeth as teenage punters in the scrappy punk band Standard Issue back in 2003; the three of them moved down to Los Angeles, hooked up with Bay Area exile Geoff Franklin, and went to work on what would come to be known as Them Terribles.
One of their first shows ever was a competition between a few hundred unsigned bands. They reluctantly entered and quickly made it to the final eight. Then, at the awkward Hollywood showcase-showdown in a self-described, “moment of passion” Green threw a beer bottle into the audience. It smashed against the soundboard and resulted in the club stopping them halfway through their set as the soundman shouted, “you’ll never play in this town again!” A half-hour later they were escorted back to the stage just in time to pick up their award for First Place.
There recent self-released EP, “Rock, Paper, Terribles”; features songs like “Tangerine” and “Bullets & Guns”, upbeat anthems that are bound to make your stereo turn up with reckless abandon. "Yellow Lines" and "True Love" veer off into the time zone between last call and the morning after. All are instant modern rock classics with a familiar yet fresh sound, catchy but honest, youthful but confident.
It’s useless to resist Them Terribles and their seemingly effortless knack for taking over your heart and soul; it's not a matter of “if” and "when", it’s a matter of right now!
Dreamers
Them Terribles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know you feel alone
Way out there out there dreamin'
You got no proof to take back home
All you dreamers, dreamers, dreamers
All you dreamers, dreamers, dreamers
Dreamers...
Hey, there screamers
I know you get these done
Way out there out there screamin
Well you cant hear anyone
All you dreamers, dreamers, dreamers
All you dreamers, dreamers, dreamers
Dreamers...
And now you're dreamin...
Hey there dreamers,
I know you feel alone
Way out there out there dreamin
You got no proof to take back home
All you dreamers, dreamers, dreamers,
All you dreamers, dreamers, dreamers
All you screamers, screamers, screamers
All you dreamers, dreamers, dreamers
Dreamers...
The song “Dreamers” by Them Terribles speaks to those who are dreamers and those who scream out. The song opens with an acknowledgement of the isolation and loneliness felt by those who dream big. The line “I know you feel alone” speaks to the difficulty in sharing dreams with others who may not understand or support them. The lyric “You got no proof to take back home” emphasizes the struggle to make these dreams a reality and the lack of tangible evidence of progress towards the dream.
The second verse shifts to address the screamers, those who shout out but feel unheard. The line “Well you can’t hear anyone” suggests a sense of futility in trying to communicate with others. The repetition of “All you dreamers…” and “All you screamers…” highlights the unity between these two groups, both experiencing a sense of disconnection from the world around them.
The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the message that dreamers and screamers alike are not alone, and that there is strength in the shared experience of chasing after one’s hopes and dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, there dreamers
Addressing those who aspire for something greater.
I know you feel alone
Acknowledging the feeling of isolation and disconnect that comes with chasing one's dreams.
Way out there out there dreamin'
Referring to the distance between the dreamer and their goal, and the sometimes-fruitless nature of pursuing a distant ambition.
You got no proof to take back home
Highlighting the lack of concrete progress or rewards that often come with taking risks and reaching for higher goals.
Hey, there screamers
Turning attention to those who express themselves vocally and emotionally.
I know you get these done
Recognizing the frustration and sense of futility that can come with trying to communicate or connect with others.
Way out there out there screamin'
Again emphasizing the idea of distance and disconnection, this time in relation to the act of expressing oneself freely and passionately.
Well you can't hear anyone
Highlighting the struggle to be heard or understood, especially when speaking from the heart.
All you dreamers, dreamers, dreamers
Addressing the group of people who are always striving for something more, and also underscoring the repetition and relentlessness of that pursuit.
All you screamers, screamers, screamers
Highlighting the group of people who are often louder or more expressive in their aspirations and emotions.
And now you're dreamin'...
Ending on a somewhat ambiguous note, potentially underscoring the cyclical nature of dreaming and striving, and the never-ending pursuit of a better self or a better future.
Contributed by Gabriella S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@kristinenikolov7216
I can't believe this song isn't that well known. It deserves so much more credit than what it's given. Thank you world of jenks for showing me this song 5 years ago.
@maskoff1185
Still not well known in 2021 😔
@alexsandronascimento9048
Impactante, emocionalmente intenso, beleza pura!
@Sadvillainy
Like me, most of us searched this song after hearing it on "World of Jenks" Amazing song to say the least but it was the perfect song to end one of the best, in-def episodes of the season. Great show plus great song equals tears at the finale. Proven by myself
@luisvilasboas
It's not just a great movie! For me it's the motivation to keep on surfing even when everything seems to be falling apart! It's the most inspiring thing I've ever seen in my life! And it definitely changed and left a mark in my life!!!
@WesSmithComedy
I don't know why this band isn't HUGE!!!
@Kedbuka
great singing in this song...tortured, soulful, cuts right to the bone. good stuff.
@Frederick0220
Man, this song is simply sensational.
@Frederick0220
That was such a good show! I wish they'd bring it back.
@zzjock1
i work out to this song all the time. i love it. keeps me drivin for my goals and dreams