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

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Todd Rundgren

Todd RundgrenSongwriter Interviews

Todd Rundgren explains why he avoids "Hello It's Me," and what it was like producing Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album.

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)Songwriter Interviews

Steve Cropper on the making of "In the Midnight Hour," the chicken-wire scene in The Blues Brothers, and his 2021 album, Fire It Up.

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman Jack

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman JackSong Writing

The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.