Essential Listening #76: I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night

My Comments

The late 60s brought the hippies and a new music genre known as psychedelic music.  There were some good moments such is the one hit wonder I Had Too Much To Dream.

Details

“I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)” is a psychedelic rock song by the American band The Electric Prunes. Released in 1966, the song became one of the defining tracks of the psychedelic era and is considered a classic of the genre. Here’s a detailed look at the song:

Background and Inspiration

• Band: The Electric Prunes were formed in Los Angeles in 1965. They were known for their experimental sound that combined elements of garage rock, psychedelic rock, and electronic music. The band’s lineup during the recording of “I Had Too Much to Dream” included James Lowe (vocals), Ken Williams (lead guitar), Mark Tulin (bass guitar), Dick Hargrave (keyboards), and Preston Ritter (drums).
• Songwriters: The song was written by Annette Tucker and Nancie Mantz, a songwriting duo known for their work in the pop and rock genres during the 1960s.
• Inspiration: The song’s title and lyrics play on the dual meaning of having “too much to drink” and experiencing vivid, surreal dreams. The idea of heightened dream states was a common theme in psychedelic music, reflecting the cultural fascination with altered consciousness during the 1960s.

Musical Composition

• Style: “I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)” is a quintessential psychedelic rock song, characterized by its fuzzed-out guitar sound, experimental production techniques, and dreamlike atmosphere.
• Instrumentation: The song opens with an iconic backward guitar effect, which creates an otherworldly soundscape. It features distorted electric guitars, prominent bass lines, organ, and dynamic drumming. The use of reverb and echo adds to the psychedelic feel of the track.
• Structure: The song follows a verse-chorus structure, with a distinctive instrumental intro and outro that enhance its psychedelic qualities. The driving beat and catchy melody contribute to its enduring appeal.

Lyrics and Themes

• Themes: The lyrics describe a surreal and vivid dream that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. The narrator recounts a haunting experience of dreaming about a lost love, creating a sense of longing and confusion.
• Imagery: The lyrics employ vivid imagery and metaphor, capturing the dreamlike state and emotional turmoil of the narrator. Lines like “The room was empty as I staggered from my bed / I could not bear the image racing through my head” evoke a sense of disorientation and longing.
• Emotional Tone: The song’s emotional tone is one of yearning and introspection, capturing the essence of psychedelic exploration and the search for deeper meaning.

Commercial Success

• Release: “I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)” was released as a single in November 1966 and later included on The Electric Prunes’ self-titled debut album in 1967.
• Chart Performance: The song became a significant hit, reaching No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1967. It also charted in the UK and other countries, establishing The Electric Prunes as a prominent band in the psychedelic rock scene.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

• Iconic Status: The song is widely regarded as one of the quintessential tracks of the psychedelic era. Its innovative sound and evocative lyrics capture the spirit of the 1960s counterculture and the experimental nature of the time.
• Garage Rock and Psychedelia: “I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)” is often cited as a pioneering track in the garage rock and psychedelic rock genres. It influenced many bands and artists who sought to explore new sonic landscapes and push the boundaries of rock music.
• Compilation Appearances: The song was featured as the opening track on the influential compilation album Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965–1968, curated by Lenny Kaye in 1972. This compilation helped to revive interest in 1960s garage and psychedelic rock.
• Cover Versions: The song has been covered by various artists over the years, including The Damned and Wayne County & the Electric Chairs, highlighting its enduring appeal and influence.

Personal and Social Resonance

• Connection with Fans: The song’s surreal lyrics and distinctive sound resonate with fans of psychedelic rock, capturing the essence of a transformative era in music and culture.
• Artistic Expression: “I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)” exemplifies The Electric Prunes’ willingness to experiment with new sounds and production techniques, contributing to the broader movement of musical innovation during the 1960s.

Notable Lyrics

Here are some memorable lines from the song:

• “Last night your shadow fell upon my lonely room / I touched your golden hair and tasted your perfume.”
• “I awoke with the dawn, never knew what it meant / I was dreaming of you, but it was just a dream.”

Legacy of The Electric Prunes

• Innovative Sound: The Electric Prunes are remembered for their experimental approach to music, blending elements of rock, psychedelia, and electronic soundscapes. Their willingness to push boundaries helped pave the way for future generations of musicians.
• Cultural Significance: The band’s music, including “I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night),” reflects the cultural and social changes of the 1960s, capturing the spirit of exploration and rebellion that defined the era.

In summary, “I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)” by The Electric Prunes is a seminal psychedelic rock track that captures the essence of the 1960s with its innovative sound and evocative lyrics. Its impact on the garage and psychedelic rock genres, along with its cultural resonance, ensures its place as a classic in the history of rock music.