"Inside a Dream" by Jane Wiedlin

Song#:  3635

Date:  09/03/1988

Debut:  86

Peak:  57

Weeks:  7

Genre:  Pop

Pop Bits:  Former Go-Go Wiedlin grabbed her first and only solo Pop Top 10 hit with "Rush Hour," the first single from her second album Fur. To follow it up, this next track was selected for release. Unfortunately, it didn't catch on as well as her previous single and it stopped shy of the halfway point on the Pop chart. By this point in time the album had already reached its peak of #105. In 1990, Wiedlin would release her third solo album Tangled. The single "World on Fire" would fail to chart and the LP quickly disappeared. It would be ten years before Wiedlin would record a fourth effort. Kissproof World would come out in 2000. Over the years Wiedlin would rejoin the Go-Go's for various performances and tours along with recording the band's fourth album, 2001's God Bless the Go-Go's.

ReduxReview:  This album-opening track was a good choice for a follow-up single, but it just wasn't quite as immediately catchy or memorable as "Rush Hour." I actually think the single's b-side "Song of the Factory" could have done better. The track quickly became a fan favorite and had been highlighted by some critics. A cool dance remix of the song might have pushed the tune into the Top 40. While a nice tune, "Inside a Dream" just wasn't going to be a major hit. The Fur album had some highlights and was a good listen, but for me it was weaker than her wonderfully quirky '85 self-titled debut album. Her next album, Tangled, also had a few good tracks, but I think Wiedlin got a raw deal from her label EMI. The title track, which appeared in the 1990 film Pretty Woman and was on its soundtrack, should have been the lead single. Instead, "World on Fire," which was not single-worthy, was released and it predictably tanked. Wiedlin was a solid songwriter both with the Go-Go's and on her own and she should have had a bigger solo career. A few critics dismissed her thin, baby doll voice, but I liked her unique sound and delivery. All four of her solo discs are worth checking out, especially her underrated '85 debut. (It had been a while since I'd heard this song and I kept thinking - where have I heard the verse before?  It sounded so familiar. Then it hit me. It was very, very similar to the verse in Sinéad O'Connor's 1990 "The Emperor's New Clothes," the second single from her #1 album I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got. The single got to #60 Pop. I doubt O'Connor copped from Wiedlin, but the passages are eerily similar.)

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  In addition to a solo music career, Wiedlin dabbled in acting after departing from the Go-Go's. Her first role was a short, but memorable cameo in the 1985 board game inspired comedy flick Clue. She appeared as a singing telegram. The film was a critical and box office dud, but it later became a popular cult film. She also briefly appeared in 1986's Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home and '87's Sleeping Beauty. Wiedlin then played Joan of Arc in the 1989 hit comedy Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. The small tastes of acting didn't really entice Wiedlin to pursue larger roles. She would mainly stick to music, but along the way did appear in a few films and TV shows. She also provided voice work for several animated shows including later iterations of the Scooby-Doo series.

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