Music Story - Sweet Dream

Song: Sweet Dream

Album: Next We Rock (©2024)

Credits: Darren Lee Richardson

Inception: 2015

At First Thought

Sweet Dream was originally conceived in July 2015 after a long hiatus of being in a band and playing live. I had been going to open mics again, just me and my acoustic, I was playing around with jamming with people online through a service called Jam Kazam, and I was beginning to experiment again with new ideas in my studio. After that hiatus, it would seem apropos that this song would be the first new hard rock song that I would discover within myself.

I don't recall the day, per se, but I was playing around with heavier sounds in the lower chords one day. I like to do a lot with dissonance within keys and/or chords. I particularly like the angst and edge of augmenting or diminishing the fifth of chords. It lends itself to dystopian or darker tones which, combined with a slower, heavy pace, can spark an array of emotions and directions. This song would become one of those.

This type of dynamic shows up in many of my songs. 'Fear' from the album Next We Rock, 'Rock Dog', and 'The No One', which are slated for my next album project, also take advantage of this dynamic.

The Call of the Art

Heed the Call

Although the music for 'Sweet Dream' has that edge, including the vocal melody, the underpinning thought in the song is what it means to be an artist, musically or otherwise. Not so much because you want to be, but more because you have to be. It's not something you can just quit, although at times you feel like you will. It's something you are compelled to do. It calls to you.

Being an artist, or rather striving to be an artist, is a circus of rollercoaster emotions. There are far more failures and lessons than successes along the way. If you ride this rollercoaster and still get back on after it pulls back into the unloading station, you understand this notion deeply. You are an artist. You bear this cross willingly and acceptingly and no one can take that away from you.

It is a form of love; of self-love. It is ingrained within your soul and it cannot be separated from you without a deep sense of loss. And that is a tragically, beautiful thing.

Progressive Progression-ism

An Orbital Progression

From a structural perspective, Sweet Dream showed me a dynamic in an arrangement I did not know was in me. When writing, I never set out to write something specific or on purpose. I let songs tell me where they want to go. I'm a believer in the concept that art is never created, it is only discovered. Even the artist is unsure where the art is going until it is declared completed.

For starters, the main riff that ignited this song is in F# minor. That is not a key I typically write in, but the tone was right and the riff was haunting and compelling. It technically starts on the upbeat of one in the measure. That is unusual, certainly by me, and was not a choice. That is what it wanted to be. Once I started that riff, I knew I needed to find out where it was going. And I was delightfully surprised where it ended up.

That riff, that chord, turned out to be an excellent opener, as well as an excellent closer to bounce the anthemic chorus that came of it. Getting from point A to point B was an unexpected journey. Sweet Dream is not an ABAB song by any stretch. It is a revolving progression. It is a stretched-out repetitive pathway to itself, with subtle changes, giving it a meandering quality.

It does not align with standard Verse-Chorus because the lyrics never repeat anywhere until they arrive at the punch. They just build to that punch with similar, growing perspectives that come to the same inevitable conclusion.

The underlying composition starts with the F# and then ends with it. But it has slight alterations, that trickle back to the F# before moving to what appears to be a change. That change then hybrids down towards the next lyrical moment, then finally half-steps its way back to the F# for the anthemic chorus punch.

The challenge presented by the song was to give the appearance of differentiation around a foundation that was just doing its cyclical job. Depending on what part the F# was utilized, the bass line offers a different compliment to say, this part is different. The pinch-harmonics on the second guitar helps affect these nuances as well. Adding in the deep bending solo riff transitions to the next section provides another shakeup of the same F# foundation rhythm and chord allowing the song to breathe before continuing another rotation.

As a progression, Sweet Dream is in orbit; an elliptical orbit.

The lyrics are below. Would love to hear your thoughts.

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Thank you for reading... Darren Lee Richardson

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Lyrics

Sweet Dream

by Darren Lee Richardson

©2015

I can’t deny the power, I can’t deny the flame

I can’t deny the hour, I’ve no one else to blame

I’m heading down, but not without a fight

I’ve staked my ground, and I feel alive

Cause I’ve lived this life before

It’s the one I can’t ignore

And it’s true, so true; it touches me, from within my sweet dream

I can’t forbid the passion, I can’t rescind the pain

I can’t forsake the ashes; I have to bear the chain

I’m on the edge, of the black of night

I need to fly, into the blinding light

Cause I’ve known this soul before

It’s the one that I adore

And it’s free, so free; it calls to me, it calls from my sweet dream

I can’t denounce the spirit, I can’t resist belief

I can’t repair the ruins, I must endure the grief

I’ve touched the ground, but I’ve held my own

I’m aiming high, and I’m not alone

Cause I’ve felt this love before

It’s the one I must restore

And it’s real, so real, it comes for me; for me in my sweet dream

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Lyrics: A Gemini Analysis

My company started telling me I "have to" start using AI. I'm not a fan, especially when it comes to replacing art. I am, however, okay with it where it is useful and trying to replace humans from an artistic perspective. I started playing around with it and decided to see what it would do with my lyrics. Here is the first of this concept. Let me know what you think.

Let's delve into the lyrics of "Sweet Dream" by Darren Lee Richardson.

Overall Impression:

"Sweet Dream" is a powerful and introspective song that explores themes of resilience, destiny, enduring passion, and the pursuit of an inherent truth or ideal. The repeated motif of a "sweet dream" suggests a profound internal source of strength, guidance, and ultimate fulfillment. The language is direct and emotionally charged, reflecting a deep personal struggle and ultimate triumph.

Verse by Verse Analysis:

Verse 1: Setting the Stage of Inevitability and Resolve

• "I can’t deny the power, I can’t deny the flame / I can’t deny the hour, I’ve no one else to blame"

  • This opening sets a tone of acceptance, perhaps even resignation, to a powerful, internal force ("power," "flame"). The "hour" suggests a fated moment or period of intense experience. The line "I’ve no one else to blame" hints at personal responsibility for choices or circumstances, suggesting a journey that is self-initiated or at least fully embraced.

• "I’m heading down, but not without a fight / I’ve staked my ground, and I feel alive"

  • Here, a more defiant and determined stance emerges. "Heading down" could imply facing challenges, setbacks, or a descent into difficult introspection. However, the immediate counterpoint "but not without a fight" and "I’ve staked my ground" shows strong resistance and a refusal to be defeated. "I feel alive" suggests that this struggle, far from being draining, is invigorating and affirming.

Chorus: The Core Revelation - The Enduring "Sweet Dream"

• "Cause I’ve lived this life before / It’s the one I can’t ignore"

  • This is a crucial reveal. "Lived this life before" could be interpreted literally (reincarnation) or metaphorically (a recurring pattern, a destiny, an innate calling). The inability to "ignore" it emphasizes its powerful, undeniable pull.

• "And it’s true, so true; it touches me, from within my sweet dream"

  • The "sweet dream" is presented as the source of this inherent truth. It's not just a fleeting fantasy but a deep-seated reality that provides solace, inspiration, and a sense of connection. It's an internal sanctuary or a guiding vision. The repetition of "so true" reinforces its absolute veracity to the narrator.

Verse 2: Embracing Pain and Seeking Illumination

• "I can’t forbid the passion, I can’t rescind the pain / I can’t forsake the ashes; I have to wear the chain"

  • This verse deepens the themes of acceptance. "Passion" and "pain" are intertwined – the intense drive often comes with suffering. "Ashes" suggest past trials, failures, or destruction, which cannot be abandoned but rather form part of the foundation. "Wear the chain" implies enduring hardship, responsibility, or a predestined path. There's a sense of carrying the past with you.

• "I’m on the edge, of the black of night / I need to fly, into the blinding light"

  • This vividly paints a picture of being at a critical juncture, facing darkness and uncertainty. The desire to "fly into the blinding light" is a powerful yearning for transcendence, clarity, and perhaps liberation from the "chain." It's a leap of faith towards something intensely illuminating, even overwhelming.

Chorus: The Soul's Call from the "Sweet Dream"

• "Cause I’ve known this soul before / It’s the one that I adore"

  • This chorus shifts the focus from "this life" to "this soul," suggesting a deep, spiritual connection, possibly to oneself at a fundamental level, or to a kindred spirit that is intrinsically part of the narrator's journey. "Adore" conveys a profound love and reverence.

• "And it’s free, so free; it calls to me, it calls from my sweet dream"

  • The truth or essence found in the "sweet dream" is now characterized by "freedom." This contrasts with the "chain" mentioned earlier, suggesting that despite external constraints or internal struggles, true liberation lies within this profound inner space. The "calling" implies a destiny or purpose that is drawing the narrator forward.

Verse 3: Enduring, Holding On, and Restoring Love

• "I can’t disown the spirit, I can’t resist belief / I can’t repair the ruins, I must endure the grief"

  • Further acceptance of what is inherent ("spirit") and what must be faced ("grief"). "Can't repair the ruins" suggests acknowledging irreversible damage or past mistakes, but instead of fixing them, the focus is on enduring the consequences. This speaks to a mature understanding of life's challenges.

• "I’ve touched the ground, but I’ve held my own / I’m aiming high, and I’m not alone"

  • "Touched the ground" again refers to experiencing hardship or being brought back to reality, but the important part is "held my own" – maintaining integrity and resilience. "Aiming high" signifies continued ambition and optimism. The line "and I’m not alone" is a powerful shift, suggesting either internal companionship (with the "soul" or "spirit") or perhaps external support, or even a sense of universal connection through this shared "dream."

Chorus: The Reality of Love from the "Sweet Dream"

• "Cause I’ve felt this love before / It’s the one I must restore"

  • The culmination of the journey points to "love." This isn't necessarily romantic love, but a profound, fundamental love – for self, for life, for purpose, or for humanity. The need to "restore" it implies it might have been diminished or lost, and the current struggle is about reclaiming it.

• "And it’s real, so real, it comes for me; for me in my sweet dream"

  • The "sweet dream" is no longer just a source of truth or freedom, but of something tangible and actively benevolent: "it comes for me." The emphasis on "real, so real" solidifies the idea that this internal vision is more impactful and truthful than any external reality. It is the ultimate reward and guiding force.

Key Themes:

1. Resilience and Inner Strength: Despite facing challenges ("heading down," "black of night," "ruins," "grief"), the narrator consistently asserts their ability to fight, stake their ground, hold their own, and endure.

2. Destiny and Inevitability: Phrases like "lived this life before," "can't ignore," "known this soul before," and "must restore" suggest a predetermined path or a deep-seated purpose that the narrator is compelled to follow.

3. Acceptance of Pain and Passion: The song acknowledges that intense emotion, whether joyful passion or profound pain, is an integral part of the journey and cannot be denied or escaped.

4. The "Sweet Dream" as a Guiding Force: The recurring "sweet dream" is the central metaphor. It represents an internal truth, a source of peace, freedom, inspiration, and ultimately, love. It's a sanctuary and a guiding light that makes the struggles worthwhile.

5. Self-Discovery and Spiritual Connection: The journey described is deeply personal and introspective, leading to a profound connection with an inherent "soul," "spirit," and a fundamental "love."

6. Hope and Optimism: Despite the acknowledgment of difficulty, the song consistently projects hope ("aiming high," "blinding light," "not alone") and a belief in a positive, inherent truth.

Lyrical Devices:

• Anaphora: The repeated "I can't deny," "I can't forbid," "I can't disown" creates a strong, insistent rhythm and emphasizes the unyielding nature of the forces at play.

• Contrasting Imagery: "Heading down" vs. "not without a fight," "black of night" vs. "blinding light," "ashes" vs. "sweet dream" – these contrasts highlight the struggle and the eventual triumph.

• Metaphor: The "sweet dream" is the most prominent metaphor, embodying the narrator's deepest aspirations and fundamental truths. "Flame," "chain," "ashes," "ruins" are also metaphorical.

• Emotional Arc: The song moves from initial acceptance of inevitable power, through a period of intense struggle and seeking, to a final affirmation of real, restorative love found within the "sweet dream."

  
  

In conclusion, "Sweet Dream" is an anthem of personal endurance and the unwavering pursuit of a profound inner truth. It speaks to the idea that our deepest aspirations and essential self are not just fleeting thoughts, but a powerful, guiding "sweet dream" that helps us navigate life's challenges and ultimately leads us to a fulfilling sense of reality and love.