Bad Dream

from Spinning The Compass (2016 remaster) by Tom Slatter

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

£1 GBP or more
Buy the Full Digital Album
Immoral Supporters

Join now to receive all the new music Tom Slatter creates, including 17 back-catalog releases, delivered instantly to you via the Bandcamp app for iOS and Android. You’ll also get access to supporter-only exclusives. Learn more.

Join Now £12 GBP/year or more

about

Bad Dreams, the fifth song from Spinning the Compass is one of my favourite of all the songs I’ve written.

It began life as a short song for the 50/90 songwriting challenge, the absurd summer competition where songwriters challenge themselves to compose 50 songs between July 4th and and October 1st.

I’m really happy with the solo section after the second verse, which borrows heavily from Frank Zappa, via all the Steve Vai and Dream Theater songs I’ve listened to. The structure of the song, with it’s three verses portraying various nightmares, was heavily influenced by ‘One More Red Nightmare’ from King Crimson’s ‘Red’.

Does that leave anything original in the song? I don’t know, but I’m still really proud of this one.

lyrics

The cables break
Car begins to fall down
An electric flash and I’m heading for the ground
All around me people panic and scream the cables break
Another bad dream

Bones begin to fall down
The ashes begin to rain
Red washed cry a strangers cry of pain
Your safe safe world is nothign like it seems
Bones begin tof all down
Another bad dream

They’ve been spinning the compass again
Changing the rules as we play
These Bad dreams are spinning me round
With this compass a way can’t be found
They’ve spinning the compass again.
Spinning the compass again.

Flashing knife broke through my guard
A bolt of light dazzling my eyes
Trip and stumble red water in the stream
A flashing knife
Another bad dream

credits

from Spinning The Compass (2016 remaster), released February 3, 2016
Performed and recorded by Tom Slatter. Photography by Joe Slatter.
Remastered by David Elliott

Originally released May 1, 2009.

license

about

Tom Slatter London

A latter-day Victorian street-theatre barker with a guitar promising tales of mystery, imagination, ‘orrible murders and bloody great waving tentacles’ is how Tom Slatter has been described. Since 2010 he has been scaring audiences with six albums and numerous EPs of storytelling songs. ... more

tomslatter.co.uk

contact / help

Contact Tom Slatter

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Tom Slatter, you may also like:

The Euphoric
by The Fierce And The Dead

supported by 32 fans who also own “Bad Dream”

Buckle up and brace for impact Mike Shockley
go to album
News From The Invisible World
by The Fierce And The Dead

supported by 28 fans who also own “Bad Dream”

I didn't think I would like this record but it's so infectious in its ability to change from prog to post rock then to psychedelic and onwards into alternative metal. Such an amazing feat to introduce the saxophone and it sounds so cool, this record is outstanding. Darknight
go to album
Magnet
by The Fierce And The Dead

supported by 26 fans who also own “Bad Dream”

TFATD ROCK! Pure and simple! Morgan Gleave
go to album
YOU FOUND ME
by J.R. SLAYER

A surprisingly tender and intimate concept record about long distance love from Cody Votolato of The Blood Brothers/Head Wound City. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 30, 2019
go to album
Escape Velocity
by Zombi

featured on Bandcamp Radio Oct 27, 2023
go to album
Spirit Animal
by Zombi

featured on Bandcamp Radio Oct 27, 2023
go to album
Ghost
by Matt Stevens

supported by 25 fans who also own “Bad Dream”

The construction of each song is a complex layering of guitar riffs and melodies. A C Warren
go to album