Songful Style! “Behind the Wall of Sleep”

“Behind the Wall of Sleep”

This month has raced by, hasn’t it? Honestly, it seems like it was just yesterday, I was writing about not making resolutions for New Years! Since this is the last Monday in June, it must be time for Songful Style, the brainchild of Suzy and Shelbee. They decided to play on the idea behind Style Imitating Art and apply it to music! What that means is each month, Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, Suzy of The Grey Brunette, Anne of Spy Girl, Michelle of My Bijou Life Online, and I share looks based on a song selected by one of us. You can find them on our blogs and Instagram.  Our ensembles (pun intended) may be inspired by the lyrics of a song, the artwork of the album cover, maybe the MTV video, or even a memory the song evokes. Last month, I picked “Hello, Goodbye” by the Beatles. You can see what I did here. This month, Anne chose “Behind the Wall of Sleep” by the Smithereens! We’re throwing a link party, and you’re invited! 

A little history…

Anne chose this song for a very special reason! Her significant other is Severo Jornacion AKA “The Thrilla” who played bass and backup vocals from 2005-2017. Geez, I hope the internet is not letting me down on this because I’d hate to get the information wrong! The Smithereens formed in 1980 in New Jersey. I love the genesis of the band’s name! Remember Yosemite Sam? He used to say, “Varmint, I’ma gonna blow you to smithereens!” One has to wonder how a group of guys from New Jersey decide to use a Yosemite Sam catchphrase, right? It conjures up all kinds of images for me!

A little more history…

The group formed when Pat DiNizio placed an ad in the paper looking for a drummer to play on a demo tape. Apparently, that went well, and the drummer, Dennis Diken, introduced the others to DiNizio. The others were Jim Babjak (guitar & vocals) and Mike Mesaros (bass & vocals). The band went on to write and perform music reminiscent of the 60s power pop sound. Now, I have read and reread this about power pop. I have to admit I don’t quite get it! But, maybe you will! Here is another article about it. What I do know is I really like this song! I cannot get the music out of my head. Here is a link to the Smithereen’s complete set at a music festival in 2016. You can see Severo wailing away on his bass! Now, this video just makes my reader heart happy. Listen carefully to the first part when he talks about going to the library. He talks about the magic of opening up a book and the special smell of library books…takes me back, my friends, takes me back.

The song…

She had hair like Jeannie Shrimpton back in 1965
She had legs that never ended
I was halfway paralyzed
She was tall and cool and pretty and she dressed as black as coal
If she asked me to I'd murder, I would gladly lose my soul
Now I lie in bed and think of her
Sometimes I even weep
Then I dream of her behind the wall of sleep
Well she held a bass guitar and she was playing in a band
And she stood just like Bill Wyman
Now I am her biggest fan
Now I know I'm one of many who would like to be your friend
And I've got to find a way to let you know I'm not like them
Now I lie in bed and think of her
Sometimes I even weep
Then I dream of her behind the wall of sleep
Now I lie in bed and think of her
Sometimes I even weep
Then I dream of her behind the wall of sleep
Got your number from a friend of mine who lives in your home town
Called you up to have a drink
Your roommate said you weren't around
Now I know I'm one of many who would like to be your friend
And I've just got to find a way to let you know I'm not like them
Now I lie in bed and think of her
Sometimes I even weep
Then I dream of her behind the wall of sleep
Behind the wall of sleep
Behind the wall of sleep
Behind the wall of sleep

What does it mean…

The song, “Behind the Wall of Sleep” gets its title from H.P. Lovecraft’s short story, “Beyond the Wall of Sleep.” Other than the titles, I don’t think the short story and the song share many other similarities. DiNizio wrote the song after a gig with a girl group called The Bristols. Apparently, DiNizio had a crush on the bassist for The Bristols, Kim Ernst. Like all good rock songs, this one was written on a paper napkin! DiNizio was flying home to New York City from Boston. He also came up with the melody at that time and kept singing it so he wouldn’t forget it! The song was on the album, Especially for You, which came out in July, 1986. It was the Smithereens’ second single from the album and reached number 23 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock. If you want to read more about the production of the song (and album, I think), this article breaks down some of the more technical aspects.

Interesting covers…

You can find an acoustic version here. I don’t know who this guy is, but he does a bang up job! Here is another acoustic version. His vocals aren’t as strong, but his solo is pretty cool. I think this version is just a group of guys who get together to jam! OK, this isn’t a cover of “Behind the Wall of Sleep”, but it is a cover the Smithereens did!

My interpretation…

I really wanted to try to pull off a Jean Shrimpton look, but that just wasn’t going to happen! I don’t have legs that never end…they’ve barely gotten started! And, I have spent the last couple years growing out my bangs so I wasn’t going to do that. What I was left with was being dressed “black as coal!” Given that I knew what the theme was for this Songful Style post, I had kept out this black dress. What I didn’t keep out was a pair of black tights! I had to go digging through some drawers to find black hose (stockings, hosiery, whatever you call them). I actually kind of like these stripes so I’m going to have to remember them for the future! This dress is an oldy from Garnet Hill. I should have had Nigel take a close up of the bodice so you could see the beading and embroidery. I feel like I may have missed the mark a bit…this look reads more “Granny at a funeral” than tough girl rocker chic, right? But, it is “black as coal!”

The Lewk!

I chose these black Born boots (which I also wore in this Songful Style post), but my goodness are they hot now! As I said earlier, I wore black striped yet sheer hose with these boots. I tried to inject a rock and roll vibe with my jewelry. I completely forgot about earrings! The black wrap bracelet and the spiky one are old and from Stella and Dot. The silver cuff may be from Premiere Designs, but I’m not sure. The bamboo ring is from John Hardy. The starburst ring is David Yurman (similar). The three smaller rings are from a set Nigel bought me years ago at Macy’s. I didn’t push them all the way down and tried to wear them between my top and middle knuckles (how do you do that and not worry about losing them).

Affiliate links and such:

Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. I recently became a Brand Ambassador for Sarah Flint shoes. You can use SARAHFLINT-BAMARSHA for $50 off your first pair. As of right now, I also have an affiliate code for Kantha Bae! Use MarshaintheMiddle in the promo code box for $5 off any order (excluding Bestie restocks)! In case you didn’t know, bloggers must disclose the use of affiliate links. That’s why I include this in each post.

Wrap it up, Marsha!

I am so glad Anne chose this song! I had heard of the Smithereens. But, I have to confess I don’t think I’d ever heard any of their songs. When I asked my son about the group, he immediately said something like, “Oh, yeah, they cover lots of Beatles songs.” This kid…he knows so much about music and bands. As I write this, he’s three days into listening to all of his vinyl. He’s just made it to Burt Bacharach! Maybe, he needs a Smithereens album? So, can we talk? Would you have gone for the Jean Shrimpton look? Would you have gone “black as coal?” Or, would you have gone in a completely different direction? Leave a comment or two, and we can talk!

Thank you!

Thank you so much for subscribing to my blog. I am truly appreciative of all of you. I cannot believe I’ve been doing this for almost a year now, and some of you have been there from the beginning! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Where you can find me:

Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, My Bijou LIfe, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, Being a Wordsmith, and Mummabstylish. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I’m a co-host on the Weekend Traffic Jam (here). I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I also co-host Final Friday Print Mixing with Michelle on the last Friday of the month. I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties! Boy, that’s a lot of co-hosting!

And, now the party starts!

Before I forget! Suzy chose “When Doves Cry” by Prince for July’s song! Please link up your favorite song posts, fashion posts, creative posts…well, you know what to do!

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