My Sunday Song – “Pleasure Dome” by Van Halen

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic

For My Sunday Song #148, we go with “Pleasure Dome” off the album “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge”.  This is the second one off this album I have done and for good reason, it was the first Sammy led album I actually liked but that is for another time and place.  The song was never a single, but a B-Side to the song “Poundcake” and I am not sure which one I like more.

The song is actually based on Rush’s song “Xanadu” from what I can gather and that is not a bad song for inspiration.  And…a “Pleasure Dome” could be referring to the poem “Kubla Khan” by Samuel Taylor Coolidge.  Of course, Kubla Khan’s empire was known as Xanadu so the connection is complete (maybe, I am just piecing together bits and pieces from what I found on the song).

The song is a strong showcase of Alex’s stellar drumming and after doing “Everybody Wants Some” with a strong drum sound, why not continue with another that showcases Alex.  Alex has a very distinct sound he creates with his drumming and there is so much on here that fills the song.  It is one of the main things I take away from it.

Lyrically, it reminds me a little of “Everybody Wants Some” as well with how Sammy talks out a lot of the lyrics like Dave was doing.  The lyrics seem to be about Sammy taking some drug tripping journey in his mind or in the universe or wherever.  He is getting lost and further away from home with no escape.  I don’t know what it really means, but it is fantastic trip.

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Give the song a listen if you haven’t heard it before and let me know what you think. If you do know it, let me know as well. I hope you enjoy it and have a Happy Sunday!!

“Pleasure Dome”

Now I know none of this was planned, it all just kinda happened
I got more than I wanted, but how is still a mystery
Obsessed with this feeling, I trusted it, so I followed it
I’m tripping and stumbling across the land, full of miracles
Into a world so far from home, miles and miles from nowhere
Rooms without doors open for me, oh no
Taking me miles and miles from nowhere
Oh (miles and miles), oh yeah
Lost in this pleasure dome, lost in my own pleasure dome
Oh man, I ain’t got a clue, how you get out, or how to find this place
I want my control back, but I’m afraid, I’ll lose that feeling
Lost in a world so far from home, I’m miles and miles from nowhere
Falling inside my own pleasure dome, I’m miles and miles from nowhere
Oh (miles and miles), oh yeah
Lost in this pleasure dome, lost inside my pleasure dome

[Solo]

Lost in a world, can’t find my way home, miles and miles from nowhere
Falling inside my own pleasure dome, miles and miles from nowhere
Millions of miles, oh no, miles and miles and miles from nowhere
Miles and miles and miles and miles, oh
Lost in this pleasure dome, lost inside my pleasure dome, yeah
Lost, lost

8 thoughts on “My Sunday Song – “Pleasure Dome” by Van Halen”

  1. When I caught this tour this track would lead right into Alex’s drum solo which was a good segue.
    Had no idea this was inspired by Rush of all bands. haha.
    May have to dig this album out now and give it a spin John!
    Another cool pick Sir! Well done!

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