"Don't Mess With Doctor Dream" is a 1985 song by the British band Thompson Twins. It was released as a single from their album ''

Here's to Future Days ''Here's to Future Days'' is the fifth studio album by British pop group Thompson Twins, released on 20 September 1985 by Arista Records. It was the third and final release for the band as a trio, which was their most successful and recognisabl ...

'', and peaked at No. 15 in the UK, spending six weeks on the chart. Written by bandmembers Tom Bailey, Alannah Currie and

Joe Leeway Joseph Martin Leeway (born 15 November 1955) is a British musician and songwriter, who is best known as being a member of the pop music, pop band Thompson Twins, joining the band in 1981 after being one of their Road crew, roadies. Leeway was b ...

, it is an anti-drug song warning of the dangers of drug addiction. It was the first Thompson Twins single to be co-produced by

Nile Rodgers Nile Gregory Rodgers Jr. (born September 19, 1952) is an American musician, record producer and composer. The co-founder of Chic, Rodgers has written, produced, and performed on records that have sold more than 500 million albums and 75 million ...

. A promotional music video was made for the single which was directed by Godley & Creme along with

Meiert Avis Meiert Avis is an Irish music video and commercial director. Avis has directed videos for artists such as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Avril Lavigne, Paramore, Alanis Morissette, Flyleaf, Jennifer Lopez, New Found Glory and Josh Groban, ...

. The B-side, "Big Business", was exclusive to this single with two versions: 7" version and an extended version called "Very Big Business".

Critical reception

On its release, Paul Sexton of ''

Record Mirror ''Record Mirror'' was a British weekly music newspaper between 1954 and 1991 for pop fans and record collectors. Launched two years after the ''NME'', it never attained the circulation of its rival. The first UK album chart was published in ''Re ...

'' considered "Don't Mess with Doctor Dream" to have "commendable anti-heroin sentiments", but felt the song was "rather a plodder compared to the pop craft of the singles from ''Into the Gap''".

Formats

;7" UK vinyl single (1985) Arista TWINS 9 #"Don't Mess With Doctor Dream" - 3:36 #"Big Business" - 4:13 ;12" UK vinyl single (1985) Arista TWINS 129 #"Don't Mess With Doctor Dream" (Smackattack!) – 6:10 #"Very Big Business" - 5:06 ;12" UK vinyl single (1985) Arista TWINS 229 #"Don't Mess With Doctor Dream" ((U4A) + (U3A) = Remix) – 6:38 #"Very Big Business" - 5:06

Personnel

Written by Tom Bailey, Alannah Currie, and

. * Tom Bailey – vocals, piano, Fairlight, synthesizers, guitar, contrabass, Fairlight and drum programming * Alannah Currie – lyrics, marimba, backing vocals, acoustic drums, percussion, tuned percussion *

– backing vocals, congas, Z-bass, Emulator, percussion * Produced by

and Tom Bailey * Mixed by James Farber * Mixed at Skyline Studio, NYC * Photography – Rebecca Blake * Artwork/Design – Andie Airfix, Satori * Art Direction – Alannah

Chart performance

Official versions

References

{{authority control 1985 singles Thompson Twins songs Songs written by Alannah Currie Songs written by Tom Bailey (musician) Song recordings produced by Nile Rodgers Songs written by Joe Leeway Music videos directed by Godley and Creme Music videos directed by Meiert Avis 1985 songs Arista Records singles