May 24, 2021

1979 - December: Cheap Trick “Dream Police”

39 minutes

Dream Police is the fourth and most successful studio album from Cheap Trick. It hit number 6 on the Billboard 200 Album chart, and was certified platinum only a few months after its release. Robin Zander (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Rick Nielsen (lead guitar, backing vocals), Tom Petersson (bass, backing vocals), and Bun. E. Carlos (percussion) would get more complex on this album, incorporating orchestration and lengthening the tracks.

Cheap Trick formed in 1973 by Tom Petersson and Rick Nielsen, and this album’s line up is the original members. Dream Police was completed and ready to release in early 1979, but the group decided to delay the release due to the success of their live album “Cheap Trick at Budokan.” Cheap Trick had a big following in Japan, and that energy really shows on the live album.

Cheap Trick has a feel somewhere between new wave and rock, and their hits are spread out fairly evenly on their albums. In this case, there are two hits, the title track and "Voices," and the rest of the album would be deeper cuts. This makes this album an enjoyable one to hear from start to finish.

Cheap Trick was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.

Dream Police

The title track and lead song off the album reached the top 30 on the charts, all the way to number 26. Songwriter and guitarist Rick Nielsen describes the song as part "Big Brother is watching you" and part trying to capture a deep thought from R.E.M. sleep.

Way of the World

One of the more orchestral tracks, this song was co-written by Zander and Nielsen. It was released as a single, but didn't get much airplay. The orchestration reminded all of us of E.L.O.

I'll Be With You Tonight

A deep track off the album, this song was co-written by the entire band. It has a classic "Cheap Trick" feel to it, that you would recognize as the band even if you hadn't heard it before.

Voices

This song was the second single released from the album in December, and reached number 32. When it was originally recorded, bassist Tom Petersson sang lead, but it was re-recorded for the album with Robin Zander on lead. Many vocals are layered in on this track, and session guitarist and Toto band member Steve Lukather plays on this track.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Rainbow Connection by Kermit (from the motion picture “The Muppet Movie”)

Kermit, Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the Muppets made their big screen debut with this hit movie.

STAFF PICKS:

This Is It by Kenny Loggins

Bruce's staff pick moved from a love song to a more spiritual thing when Loggins' father faced a serious health issue. Loggins' lyrics reflected a person who is suffering through pain, looking for a miracle, and needs to "stand up and fight." Michael McDonald co-wrote the song and his distinctive voice is easy to pick up as backing vocals. It reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won a Grammy Award.

An American Dream (featuring Linda Ronstadt) by the Dirt Band

Wayne features the group formerly known as the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, dealing with the issue of wanting to go to Jamaica and not having the money to live so richly. Rodney Crowell originally wrote this song in 1978, and The Dirt Band would take it to number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 as a cover.

We Don't Talk by Cliff Richard

Brian's staff pick is a synth-heavy breakup song from UK superstar Cliff Richard. Richard became a Christian in the 60's, and releases a Christmas song every December which is usually a top 20 song in the UK. This is Richard's biggest selling song globally.

Tusk by Fleetwood Mac

Rob brings us the title track from Fleetwood Mac's follow-up to the highly successful Rumors album. This song is famous for utilizing the USC Trojan marching band, setting a record for the most number of musicians performing on a single.

COMEDY TRACK:

Money by The Flying Lizards

This spoken word novelty song picks up where the Beatles left off on this Motown song.

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By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

4.9

4747 ratings