Weiss and Fagenson were childhood friends who grew up together in suburban Detroit, US. Due largely to Fagenson's poverty, they decided to form Was (Not Was) in 1979. The name of the band was derived from Fagenson's son, who enjoyed contradicting words such as 'Blue' with 'Not Blue'. Their first recording was "Wheel Me Out", a 12-inch dance record for the avant-garde Ze Records.
Their first album "Was (Not Was)" (1981) was an amalgam of rock, disco, Weiss's beat poetry, Reagan-era commentary and jazz. On vocals they recruited Harry Bowens and "Sweet Pea" Atkinson, who proved to be distinctive, very soulful front-men, who frequently found themselves singing absurd, surreal songs alongside tender ballads. The MC5's Wayne Kramer (guitar) and The Knack's Doug Feiger (vocal) were guest players.
"Born to Laugh at Tornadoes" (1983) introduced even more guest musicians, including Ozzy Osbourne rapping over electro, Mel Torme crooning an oddly beautiful ballad and an abstract funk piece "Man Vs the Empire Brain Building". The band were shortly dropped from their record label.
In 1987, they found their biggest hit with the album "What Up, Dog?", along with the singles "Walk The Dinosaur" and "Spy in the House of Love". Special guests include Stevie Salas, John Patitucci, Frank Sinatra Jr. and a writing credit for Elvis Costello. About this time, the Was Brothers developed separate careers as producers, film scorers and music supervisors. Around this time, artist/animator Christoph Simon created videos to accompany some of their songs, such as "What Up Dog", "Dad I'm In Jail" and the Tom Waits-style "Earth to Doris". These have appeared on MTV's Liquid Television.
They followed up with "Are You Okay?" in 1990, a critically lauded album, spearheaded by a cover of Papa Was a Rolling Stone. Guest musicians were Iggy Pop, Leonard Cohen, The Roches and Syd Straw. After a tour with Dire Straits in 1992 and a Dance Hit Single "Shake Your Head", Weiss and Fagenson drifted apart and nothing was heard from Was (Not Was) but a compilation album "Hello Dad... I'm In Jail". The group effectively split following the 1992 tour.
In 1997, Steve Winwood released a tune which borrowed not just the title of Was (Not Was)'s single "Spy In the House of Love" but also the bass line and other elements. However, no lawsuits ensued (or were settled out of court.)
In late 2004, Was (Not Was) re-formed and were back on stage for a two-month club tour through the Northeast and East Coast of the US, as well as California, Missouri, Ohio, Illinois (including stops at the House of Blues in Cleveland and Chicago), Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania (in the Trocadero in Philadelphia).
In October 2005, they played four gigs at the Jazz Café in London.
Detroit's Metro Times has described the band as "an endearing mess... ...a sausage factory of funk, rock, jazz and electronic dance music, all providing a boogie-down backdrop for a radical (and witty) political message of unbridled personal freedom and skepticism of authority."
In 2008, after hiatus of 20 years, Was (Not Was) finally released another studio album: "Boo!". Some tracks were originally recorded in the 80's. Tracklists differ between the UK and US pressings, but for those who "get" this monster motown mongrel's killer musicianship, pop edge and inane lyrics, it is all eagerly welcomed.
Tell Me That I'm Dreaming
Was (Not Was) Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I pulled into your town, saw two signs:
â??West and Westâ?? Tell me that I'm dreaming
Turned down a â??No-way streetâ?? and saw another sign:
â??Drive in reverseâ?? or something like it
(We talked like men and ate fish at the end of the pier)
Somebody pinch me, am I? (Na na na na na)
(Was I? Did I away the night?)
Nu Shooz, laser breakfast, fast target vehicles
Leather house, dreaming, somebody pinch me! (Ouch!)
â??Can we who man the ship of state deny it is somewhat out of control?â??
â??Can we who man the ship of state deny it is somewhat out of control?â??
â??Can we who man the ship of state deny it is somewhat out of control?â??
â??Can we who man the ship of state deny it is somewhat out of control?â??
â??Can we who man this?â?? â??Can we who man this?â??
â??Can we deny the control?â?? â??Thank you very much. Thank you.â??
Nightwatchman at a bank made some pirates walk the plank
â??Oh, I must be dreaming.â?? Tell me that I'm dreaming
One man liked milk, now he owns a million cows
â??Can you imagine all that milk?â?? Tell me that I'm dreaming
â??Tag! You're it! No! It's not funny! It's not funny! Yaaaahh! Not!â??
One man liked milk, now he owns a million cows
One man liked milk, now he owns a million cows
One man liked milk, now he owns a million cows
(Tell me that I'm dreaming) Out of control
One man liked milk, (out of control) now he owns a million cows
(Tell me that I'm dreaming) Out of control
One man liked milk, now he owns a million cows
(Out of control, out of control)
One man liked milk, now he owns a million cows
(Out of control) One man liked milk (Out of control)
Now he owns a million cows (Out of control, out of control)
(Out of control) One man liked milk (Out of control)
Now he owns a million cows (Out of control)
(Out of control, out of control, out of control)
(Out of control, out of control, out of control)
The song "Tell Me That I'm Dreaming" by Was (Not Was) is a surreal and absurd narrative about a series of bizarre events. The opening lines quote the President of the United States and are followed by the singer's arrival in a strange town with confusing signage. The singer is bewildered by the scene before him, and he questions his own sanity, wondering if he is dreaming or not. He observes other people dancing with pointy shoes on while he tries to walk, and he feels he is not in step with reality. The random images of the nightwatchman at a bank and the man who owns a million cows add to the surreal atmosphere of the song.
The repeated line, "Can we who man the ship of state deny it is somewhat out of control?" serves as a break in the narrative and an opportunity for contemplation about the state of the world. It adds a political dimension to the song and hints at the chaos and confusion that exists in the world, mirroring the chaotic nature of the singer's experiences.
Overall, the lyrics of "Tell Me That I'm Dreaming" are enigmatic and open to interpretation, with a mix of the surreal, absurd, and political threads. It reflects on the human condition and offers commentary on the uncertain and confusing times we live in.
Line by Line Meaning
I pulled into your town, saw two signs:
â??West and Westâ?? Tell me that I'm dreaming
Upon reaching the town, I observed two repeated signs - 'West and West', which made me question whether I was in a trance or not.
Turned down a â??No-way streetâ?? and saw another sign:
â??Drive in reverseâ?? or something like it
While driving, I happened upon a 'No-way street' which led me to face an ambiguous signpost that read 'Drive in reverse'.
(We talked like men and ate fish at the end of the pier)
Despite the confusing signs and circumstances, we managed to converse like normal men and enjoy some fish by the pier.
I tried 2 walk, but how? The rest of U were dancing with pointy shoes on
Somebody pinch me, am I? (Na na na na na)
(Was I? Did I away the night?)
Despite my attempts to walk normally, everyone else was wearing pointy shoes and dancing, leading me to question whether I was actually dreaming or not. I felt so disjointed that I questioned whether the night had even taken place.
Nu Shooz, laser breakfast, fast target vehicles
Leather house, dreaming, somebody pinch me! (Ouch!)
I stumbled upon various strange and unique things, including the brand 'Nu Shooz', a breakfast made using lasers, rapid-moving vehicles and a house made entirely of leather. All of this, together with the previous experiences, has led to me feeling like I'm in a dream (or so I hope).
Nightwatchman at a bank made some pirates walk the plank
â??Oh, I must be dreaming.â?? Tell me that I'm dreaming
Witnessing a nightwatchman at a bank make some pirates walk a plank to their punishment has made me feel even more like I am in a dream, leading me to ask someone to confirm whether I am dreaming or not.
One man liked milk, now he owns a million cows
â??Can you imagine all that milk?â?? Tell me that I'm dreaming
A man liking milk to such an extent that he now owns a million cows seems highly unlikely to me, making me all the more doubtful if this is really happening or if I am actually dreaming.
â??Tag! You're it! No! It's not funny! It's not funny! Yaaaahh! Not!â??
One man liked milk, now he owns a million cows
One man liked milk, now he owns a million cows
One man liked milk, now he owns a million cows
(Tell me that I'm dreaming) Out of control
One man liked milk, (out of control) now he owns a million cows
(Tell me that I'm dreaming) Out of control
One man liked milk, now he owns a million cows
(Out of control, out of control)
One man liked milk, now he owns a million cows
(Out of control) One man liked milk (Out of control)
Now he owns a million cows (Out of control, out of control)
(Out of control) One man liked milk (Out of control)
Now he owns a million cows (Out of control)
(Out of control, out of control, out of control)
(Out of control, out of control, out of control)
The chaos that ensues with the game of 'tag' emphasizes how out of control things have become, including the bizarre fact that a man owning a million cows all because he likes milk. The repetition of these lyrics further emphasizes the disorienting and strange reality that the artist is experiencing, and their increasing concern and confusion.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: David Weiss, Don Fagenson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnslaymark8225
funky disco 82 you know what to do bring it back funk is the force
@christopher8724
92 wktu , 107.5 Wbls all day, new jersey, nyc, philly. Original , dj percise 07065 ALWAYS Into my music !!!
@littletootsie1
Yep.. That's me and Carol Hall on background vocals... We had a blast working on these tracks!
@darwinkelly3110
kathy kosins excellent! !!!!!!
@sirfriendzone1228
Y'all sound amazing!
@TheLiampiam5395
thank you! the bv's are the icing on the cake. on point.
@chuckyeyes4879
kathy kosins this song helped us get through some tough times in west Bmore back in the day....I salute y'all............
@torrinperry
kathy kosins Thanks for your classic house track contribution timeless🤗
@christopherbarry2086
This was a megahit back on WBMX in Chicago back in 81!!
@ISVVVc628
Yes it was!!!!!!!