Set Adrift on Memory Bliss

"Set Adrift on Memory Bliss" is a song by American hip-hop group P.M. Dawn. It was released in August 1991 as the second single from their debut album Of the Heart, of the Soul and of the Cross: The Utopian Experience. "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss" is built around samples of Spandau Ballet's "True", The Soul Searchers' "Ashley's Roachclip", and the Bob James version of Paul Simon's "Take Me to the Mardi Gras", with the remainder of the song written by P.M. Dawn vocalist Attrell "Prince Be" Cordes; only Prince Be and "True" writer Gary Kemp were credited for writing the tune.

"Set Adrift on Memory Bliss"
Single by P.M. Dawn
from the album Of the Heart, of the Soul and of the Cross: The Utopian Experience
B-side"For the Love of Peace"
ReleasedAugust 1991
GenreHip hop
Length4:10
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)P.M. Dawn
P.M. Dawn singles chronology
"A Watcher's Point of View (Don't 'Cha Think)"
(1991)		 "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss"
(1991)		 "Paper Doll"
(1992)

This song was P.M. Dawn's first (and only) number-one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, and it was the first number-one song after the debut of the Nielsen SoundScan system, which monitored airplay and sales more closely than before, when Billboard had to rely on manual sales reports and airplay data. According to the test charts of the SoundScan system, "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss" was at number one for at least three weeks but officially has a one-week reign at number one. Worldwide, it reached number one in New Zealand, number three in the United Kingdom and number seven in Australia. It was ranked number 81 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop. And Blender ranked it at number 94 in their list of Greatest Songs Since You Were Born in 2005.[1]

A slower, ballad version of the song was remade for the Backstreet Boys, and recorded on their second international album Backstreet's Back, and released on their US debut album.

Critical reception

Justin Chadwick from Albumism called the song "unforgettable" and "pure pop perfection". He added, "Regardless of where you ultimately netted out with respect to your overall opinion of P.M. Dawn, if you're like me, you were hooked the first time you heard the pop-infused brilliance of "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss"."[2] Steve Huey from AllMusic described it as a "shimmering" ballad.[3] Another editor, Hal Horowitz said it is an "amazingly mature debut tune".[4] Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report wrote, "Hypnotic rap from New Jersey brothers Prince Be and DJ Minutemix set to Spandau Ballet's 1983 smash "True" not only brings back a memory or two, it's sure to create new ones. It has fresh production elements and a chorus with all the relaxing, calming qualities of a nice long massage. A massive hit overseas, it's set to become just as big in North America thanks to early airplay at key crossover outlets."[5] Alan Jones from Music Week commented, "A brilliant soundscape starts with some nice vocal work, followed by the drum track from Dennis Edwards' Don't Look Any Further before Spandau Ballet's True leads into a mellow rap. A serene summer smash."[6] Newcastle Evening Chronicle described it as a "dreamy rap song".[7] Johnny Dee from Smash Hits called it the "dreamiest, most laid-back record ever invented." He added, "Quite what lyrics like "rubber bands expand in a frustrating sigh" mean is a total mystery, but if ever a record could be described as — aherm — like being massaged by a bag of marshmallows, then this is it. Melt city!"[8]

Music video

The music video for the song premiered in August 1991 and was directed by American film director Mark Pellington. Spandau Ballet lead singer Tony Hadley appears toward the end of the video.[9]

Track listings

Charts and sales

See also
  • List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 1991 (U.S.)

References
  1. "Blender Magazine: Greatest Songs Since You Were Born". Blender. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  2. Chadwick, Justin (August 3, 2016). "P.M. Dawn's 'Of the Heart, of the Soul and of the Cross: The Utopian Experience' Turns 25: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  3. Huey, Steve. "P.M. Dawn – Of the Heart, Of the Soul and of the Cross: The Utopian Experience". AllMusic. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  4. Horowitz, Hal. "P.M. Dawn – The Best of P.M. Dawn". AllMusic. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  5. Sholin, Dave (September 20, 1991). "Gavin Picks > Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report. No. 1874. p. 56. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  6. "Mainstream: Singles - Pick of the Week" (PDF). Music Week. July 27, 1991. p. 8. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  7. Newcastle Evening Chronicle. September 7, 1991. p. 28. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
  8. Dee, Johnny (August 7, 1991). "Review: Singles". Smash Hits. p. 45. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  9. mvdbase.com - PM Dawn - "Set adrift on memory bliss"
  10. "Australian-charts.com – PM Dawn – Set Adrift On Memory Bliss". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  11. "Austriancharts.at – PM Dawn – Set Adrift On Memory Bliss" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  12. "Ultratop.be – PM Dawn – Set Adrift On Memory Bliss" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  13. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2030." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  14. "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 7791." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  15. "Top 10 Denmark" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8 no. 44. November 2, 1991. p. 31. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  16. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8 no. 44. November 2, 1991. p. 35. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  17. "Lescharts.com – PM Dawn – Set Adrift On Memory Bliss" (in French). Les classement single.
  18. "Offiziellecharts.de – PM Dawn – Set Adrift On Memory Bliss". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  19. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8 no. 44. November 2, 1991. p. 31. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  20. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Set Adrift On Memory Bliss". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  21. "Nederlandse Top 40 – PM Dawn" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  22. "Dutchcharts.nl – PM Dawn – Set Adrift On Memory Bliss" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  23. "Charts.nz – PM Dawn – Set Adrift On Memory Bliss". Top 40 Singles.
  24. "Swedishcharts.com – PM Dawn – Set Adrift On Memory Bliss". Singles Top 100.
  25. "Swisscharts.com – PM Dawn – Set Adrift On Memory Bliss". Swiss Singles Chart.
  26. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  27. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. August 17, 1991. p. 20. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  28. "P.M. Dawn Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  29. "P.M. Dawn Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  30. "P.M. Dawn Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  31. "P.M. Dawn Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  32. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  33. "RPM Dance Tracks of 1991". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  34. "Eurochart Hot 100 1991" (PDF). Music & Media. 8 (51–52): 21. December 21, 1991. Retrieved January 17, 2020 – via American Radio History.
  35. "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1991" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  36. "Single top 100 over 1991" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  37. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1991" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  38. "End of Year Charts 1991". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  39. "1991 Top 100 Singles". Music Week. London, England: Spotlight Publications. January 11, 1992. p. 20.
  40. "Billboard Top 100 – 1992". Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  41. "American single certifications – P.M. Dawn – Set Adrift on Memory Bliss". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 21, 2019. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
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