“In My Dreams” by John Lawrie & The Welcome Strangers – A Song Feature

     “In My Dreams” holds two characteristics that deserve an extended blog post. First, the song from John Lawrie & The Welcome Strangers is a song that demonstrates the error in a judge-and-jump approach to music discovery. If the single is judged without listening to the final two minutes, the strength of its sonic appeal is missed. The second characteristic is the splendor of backing vocals that do not include a word, but powerfully create an ambience.

     The voice of Krisha Umali enters at the 2:46 mark of “In My Dreams” and the song transitions from a heartfelt crooning about a dream involving a missed loved one to a crescendo of melody, reverberation and passion. Her voice pulls the listener into the dream, where the lead vocals and the instruments increase in intensity to reveal the depth of emotional investment.

     John Lawrie & The Welcome Strangers are based in Sydney, Australia. The credits of “In My Dreams” identify the contributors as John Lawrie (vocals, guitar, synth), Connor Rust (drums), and Sean Niven (bass), as well as guest appearances on the piano from Jerome Blazé and vocals from Krisha Umali, both from The Elevator District.

     “In My Dreams” by John Lawrie & The Welcome Strangers 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnLawrieTWS/

Bandcamp: https://johnlawrietws.bandcamp.com/

Lyrics of “In My Dreams” by John Lawrie & The Welcome Strangers

We’re alone and kissing

And dancing in your kitchen

To songs from our parents’ youth.

You’re dancing the blues

I

n your red shoes.

And the light’s reflecting

Off that dress that you used to wear,

But there’s a haze of lies

Across your hazel eyes

As I’m pulled from my den to the truth

‘Cause I saw you in my dreams again last night

I saw you in my dreams again

I saw you in my dreams again last night

I saw you in my dreams again

Took a seaside drive through a backburnt sunset

Windows down as the beaches burned

The smell of smoke on the sea breeze

From our spot looking over town

And I’ve been looking for the brown in your eyes

In whatever’s been filling my glass

Mind’s a racing but I’m coming last

‘Cause I saw you in my dreams again last night

I saw you in my dreams again

I saw you in my dreams again last night

I saw you in my dreams again

My mind was laughing at me

But I couldn’t see the joke

My soul was cold and heavy

‘Cause in the darkness we were happy

Until the sun awoke

And you were gone

My mind was laughing at me

But I couldn’t see the joke

My soul was cold and heavy

‘Cause in the darkness we were happy

Until the sun awoke

And you were gone

My mind was laughing at me

But I couldn’t see the joke

My soul was cold and heavy

‘Cause in the darkness we were happy

Until the sun awoke

And you were gone

‘Cause I saw you in my dreams again last night

I saw you in my dreams again

I saw you in my dreams again last night

I saw you in my dreams again

I saw you in my dreams again last night

I saw you in my dreams again

I saw you in my dreams again last night

I saw you in my dreams again