Max Romeo recalls when royalty demanded ‘Wet Dreams’

Roots reggae journeyman, Max Romeo, who recently announced that he is retiring from touring after 57 years, has fond memories of a song titled Wet Dreams.

Produced by Bunny 'Striker' Lee, the single was released in 1969 in England, but not in Jamaica. Wet Dreams was played once on radio and immediately banned in England. A naughtily suggestive song, the lyrics, " lie down gal mek mi push it up, push it up" were not considered worthy for polite society. However, the ban only served to propel its popularity.

"Those were the days when people were living like in a cocoon and even the word 'damn' was banned. The Skinheads liked the rebellious nature of Wet Dreams and they took it over and sent it straight up the charts, where it stayed on the BBC chart for 26 weeks, the first reggae song to do so," Max Romeo said.

"The Skinheads, before they were branded as Neo Nazis, loved and supported reggae music, especially from Derrick Morgan and myself," he added.

The 78-year-old Romeo recalled that when the BBC was doing its weekly Top of the Pops countdown, Wet Dreams wasn't played like the other charted songs. It only appeared in the position it held that week, and not even his name as the singer displayed.

Wet Dreams, as expected, was a big drawing card for his sold-out live performances. Of course, when asked about the meaning of the song in interviews he gave an explanation.

"But everybody knew it was bull ... but I had to say something nice," he said.

"One night, we were performing at the Royal Albert Hall and we were told that royalty was in the house, therefore we shouldn't perform Wet Dreams. So I complied and finished my set without singing it. Then we heard, coming from the Royal Box, 'We want Wet Dreams!' And of course, the people started saying that that's what they paid their money to hear. So, I had to sing it," Romeo said with a laugh, adding that he was told that Princess Anne was in the house.

He had a similar experience at a concert in Wolverhampton when he was told not to sing the single. That time, however, he was accosted by "some bully guys" who demanded that he go on stage and perform the song.

Wet Dreams, he shared, is now played all over Europe, as the ban has long been lifted, "and even in Jamaica I've heard it a few times on late-night radio".

Max Romeo announced last December that "it is finally time that I take some well-needed rest and retire from touring". Come May, he will be packing his suitcase for his farewell tour.