Dreaming in the U.S.A.

Album: 44/876 (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Sting and Shaggy are both immigrants living in New York. The former Police frontman explained to ABC's Nightline that the pair penned this love letter to the US "because what we value is under threat."
  • The song serves as ode to an America losing its way but one that cherishes its greatest qualities. "Dreaming is a love letter to the America that attracted us... the movies, the music, the culture, the literature, the art," Sting explained to The Sun. "It's an amazing place if not a perfect society."
  • Shaggy enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served with a Field Artillery Battery in the 10th Marine Regiment during the first Gulf War. He raps in the concluding verse.

    Big up all the immigrants living and working right here inside of America
    Get up every morning working two jobs to make it here in America
    I'm a military man who carried arms and fight in defense of America
    I await the day when we will all inhabit a better America


    Sting quipped: "He's from Jamaica but fought in the armed services for America. I came to America and joined The Police so it's a similar story."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)Songwriter Interviews

The former Metallica bassist talks about his first time writing a song with James Hetfield, and how a hand-me-down iPad has changed his songwriting.

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.