When Dream Police landed in 1979, Cheap Trick were fresh from the global eruption of At Budokan. With platinum sales, strings of singles, and Tom Werman once again at the controls, the album stretched their sound into bigger, more complex territory. Beneath its high-energy hooks are stories that give it even more edge.
1. A Platinum Delay
The record was already finished by early 1979, but its release was held back to make room for the surprise success of At Budokan. By the time it hit shelves, Cheap Trick were bigger than ever, and Dream Police shot to #6 on the Billboard 200.
2. The Disco Pulse of “Gonna Raise Hell”
Rick Nielsen built “Gonna Raise Hell” on a driving disco beat. The band even planned a 12-inch dance version for clubs, and live shows stretched it into a ten-minute jam. With strings, pounding bass, and a “Detroit jungle beat,” it became one of their heaviest experiments.
3. Layers of Voices on “Voices”
Originally sung by Tom Petersson, the final version of “Voices” featured Robin Zander with six or seven vocal tracks stacked in the mix. The lush arrangement was impossible to recreate live. Adding another layer, Toto’s Steve Lukather quietly played lead guitar on the recording.
4. Boards Masquerading as Drums
To beef up the snare on “Gonna Raise Hell,” producer Tom Werman and Bun E. Carlos overdubbed the sound of two wooden boards hitting together. The trick gave the track extra punch, sliding right into the album’s wall of sound.
5. “Need Your Love” Built From the Stage Up
First performed live for At Budokan, “Need Your Love” was originally left off Heaven Tonight. When Werman heard the audience response, he made sure it landed on Dream Police. The studio version runs over seven minutes, channeling the Yardbirds and Beatles into a roaring, slow-build groove.
Dream Police fused Cheap Trick’s pop instincts with orchestration, disco grooves, and expansive jams, proving the band’s range in one platinum package. With unforgettable singles, experimental flourishes, and raw energy, it stands as a peak moment in their late-’70s run.