Max Romeo, Wet Dream | Controversial Songs

In the 1^st edition of Controversial Songs (2024), we explore the controversy behind the “Wet Dream” by Max Romeo.

Bring on the controversy! Controversial Songs is a column that provides background information and insight into songs that raised eyebrows, stirred the pot, or were banned. The more censorship censor$hit, the better! The records that grace Controversial Songs are old and new alike, with all genres of music welcome.  In the 1^st edition of Controversial Songs (2024), we explore the controversy behind the “Wet Dream” by Max Romeo.

“Every night me go to sleep, me have wet dreams.” Oh, wow, Max Romeo! At least the veteran reggae musician is honest and transparent on “Wet Dream”. Maybe he’s too honest… more on that in a moment. “Wet Dream” is the opening track from his 1969 debut album, A Dream. “Wet Dream” was released in 1968, and the lyrics are… sus… CONTROVERSIAL. Among the controversial lyrics is “Lay down gal, let me push it up, push it up, lay down,” from the chorus. Hmm… I have questions, Max Romeo. The biggest is CONSENT.  In the first verse, there’s nothing to suggest he’s asked her about having sex because he’s experiencing wet dreams.  In the second verse, Max and this nameless woman are in separate corners, and he encourages her to “Throw all the punch you to, I can take them all.” Hmm… According to Sade Gardner in an article from Jamaica Star, Romeo asserts that the song “was never about promoting sexual messages.” He adds, “[‘Wet Dream’] wasn’t meant to be what it is now. It wasn’t that explicit, sexual brainwash that drives people to rape and murder. That wasn’t the thought when I did this song.”

The music is bright, set in a major key.  The vibes are sunny despite the messaging, regardless of Romeo’s intent. The third verse doesn’t make “Wet Dream” any less controversial.  “Low how you’re big and fat like a big, big shot,” he sings. Excuse me, Max? Fat shaming? Or, is he pinpointing her ASSets? In the next line, he sings, “Give the crumpet to the big foot, Joe, give your fanny to me.” Fanny is slang for (1) vulva and (2) butt.  Either way, “Wet Dream” is highly sexual.  Max Romeo dropped a song that was explicit in the 1960s.  While it’s not nearly as blunt or explicit as the sexed-up songs of the 21^st century, it still raises eyebrows. Also, it was banned in the UK, though it peaked at no. 10, nonetheless.

Max Romeo // A Dream // Pama // 1969

Max Romeo, Wet Dream: Controversial Songs No. 1 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Pama; Tazz Vaughn via Pexels; Elena Arboleda Salas, nikolaytaman90, Tumisu from Pixabay; christian buehner on Unsplash]