Dreamer Lyrics

I was born, raised on the same plantation
In the United States, of the red, white and blue
Never knew that I was different, till Dr. King was on a balcony
Lyin' in a bloody pool
I expected so much more from a loving
A loving, loving society
A truthful explanation, you know what
I got another, another conspiracy

If it was just a dream, listen, call me, call me a dreamer too

With more rewards and accolades, then anyone before or after
21st century, oh what a shame, what a shame
Race, race still matters
A race to what, and where we going
We in the same boat, but I'm the only one rowing

Last time I checked, you were sleeping, but you can call me a dreamer too
(What's up with this)

Peanut butter logic, served on a bed of lies
Don't go down too easy, when you've seen your father cry
Have you ever clutched the steering wheel in your car too tight
Praying that police sirens just pass you by that night
While the helicopter circles us, this theory's getting deep
Think they're spraying chemicals over the city
While we sleep

Come on, I'm staying awake
you can call me a dreamer too
(Ahhh, I got one eye open for these devils)

(Wake up, wake up)

(I pledge allegiance, to..)


So what do you think was Prince's reason for writing this song?
[Edited 11/17/09 7:38am]

He was awakened.

Deep ass shit that won't fully be realized until he's gone.

this song is the truth and the guitar work is rocking out hard go prince!

By far, his best song in at least 15 years, music and lyrics.
The live versions are incredible.

love it. but i try try to tune-out the tin-foil hat lyrics to some of his songs so that i can continue to enjoy them. this is one.

I think not only is Prince a great singer / song writer but also a wonderful poet. This song is deep, meaningful: he seems to be able to put how he feels about the music business / his world into a song and put his feelings on full blast.
[Edited 11/16/09 21:14pm]

errant said:

Can you elaborate on what you mean?

pplrain said:

he sounds like he's been listening to a lot of Art Bell.

big fan of this song & the guitar solo is nice. I love the sound of the guitar too.

Of course this shit rocks. He speaks the truth. He just need to live it a lil mo.

i find the song boring and uninspired.

Words of truth sometimes stick to the roof of one's mouth (kinda like peanutbutter) and are therefore are hard to swallow.

I like the song

one of Prince's most powerful songs ever

on a music and lyrical tip

Derivative. Uninspired. Embarrassingly bad lyric.

Prince's impression of Ben Harper covering Hendrix.

One of the low points on an otherwise good album.

TyphoonTip said:

Yep. Have to agree. I love a lot of the album but not this one. Reminds me of Live 4 Love, which like Dreamer, should have been great, but is just a bit boring.

I like the lyrics and appreciate them being posted, otherwise I'd probably never read them. Song is too rocky for me. Glad to hear others enjoy it. Now bring on Beverley Park 77 please.

'Dreamer' like all Prince's other tunes, should be examined individually
as works of art.

Many people, in analysing this song, automatically conjure or make links with Jimi Hendrix; some do this as if it is a sign of weakness or unoriginality.

To me, this is not the case. When ever there is a comparison made between Prince and Jimi, this is good...because it acknowledges Prince's ability to play music in the same vein as Jimi did on his guitar.

The lyrics are deep no matter what...and speak to 'experiences' some humans have; they also play w/ the notion of conspiracy theories

Rebeljuice said:

Really

Great song imo, I think 99 % Prince fans loves this song,

especially when played live....

Bohemian67 said:

You funny girl! Maybe you can make up the lyrics to Beverly Park.
Dreamer is not my favorite of that album, though. Music and lyric-wise.
But I'm going to play the album again , see if I change my mind. Depends on the mood.

errant said:

I give this one a pass on the tin-foil lyrics because of he checks himself with the "i have another conspiracy" line, and the "dream" theme of the tune.

I have no problem with any artist expressing their religious/political views no matter how wacky i find them, as long as they don't come off TRC corny.I find everything about that album cringe worthy as hell.....and im not just talking about the lyrics.

Same applies for "Colonized Mind" cool song, lyrically made me think where this cat was coming from.
[Edited 11/17/09 4:45am]

The music is excellent. I Love both the song and the lyrics.

The lyrics are concious of today's lingering racism, although I would like to believe that's gone or dying with the eldest still living...and not breathing in their children or grandchildren.

If the world is to unite through togetherness, and share and care for our Planet... it's a lot more than getting along.

Dreams coming true start with Dreamer's...So You can call me a dreamer too.

That man is a gift. Thank-you, Thank-you.

Much truth to those lyrics. Parts of the lyrics in Dreamer, Prince credited Dick Gregory during his Tavis interview. Some of the lyrics references some comments Dick Gregory made during a previous State of the Black Union Conference. It's the verse that starts with "Peanut Butter lies....".
[Edited 11/17/09 7:23am]

Ok, I have another question:

Does this song affect a black person differently than it does a white person?

I think it does. This is what the issue in this song revolve around that even today race still matters.
[Edited 11/17/09 7:40am]

the first line is
I was born, raised on the same plantation

pplrain said:

Well, can't speak for other Black people, but in my opinion only, what I believe Prince is saying in the early part of the song about never knowing he was "different" or there was racial prejudice, so-to-speak" until Dr. King was assassinated, was apparently an "awakening" for him when it happened. It apparently woke him up to the realization that racial prejudice against Blacks existed in this country. Especially after Dr. King's death, where anger and racial tensions was on the rise, due to Blacks and others being distraught over Dr. King's death. Prior to Dr. King's murder, were the days of the fire hoses where Blacks and others who participated in marches for equality and demanded to be recognized as first class citizens were sprayed and beaten, some killed because of it. The other lines in the lyrics about "expecting so much from a loving society". Whereas this is a country that prides itself on "freedom" yet the plantation mentality and racial hatred still exists.

I mean when you have anthems like "My country tis' of thee" talking about "sweet land of liberty" or "from every mountainside let freedom ring", those were some of the words Dr. King uttered in one of his speeches, yet he was murdered shortly thereafter, because freedom at that time only seemed to ring fully on a certain side of the mountain, and it makes one wonder how really sweet liberty was/is for many in this country.

I like at the end of Dreamer when Prince starts to say the "Pledge of Allegiance", and it reminds me of how Black kids had to recite that during the days of Dr. King, especially the part that states "Under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all"...well during Dr. King's time, this nation really didn't live up to the last line of that pledge, because even today, I'm still trying fo figure out the "liberty and justice for all" part. Just my two cents.
[Edited 11/17/09 12:16pm]

exodus said:

True. First two lines of that song, is a very strong statement as well.
[Edited 11/17/09 9:10am]

2elijah said:

All true

It is to much Hendrix (Voodo child) and I have always prefered his funk over his rock. Take away songs like Kiss, When doves cry or even Dance 4 me from his cataloge and you have a rather ordinary songwriter.

exodus said:

You're right! I corrected the lyrics.