Wikipedia

Wet Dream (Wet Leg song)

"Wet Dream" is a song by English indie rock duo Wet Leg. It was written by singer-guitarists Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers, along with guitarist Joshua Mobaraki, and produced by Dan Carey. It was released through Domino on 28 September 2021 as the second single from their debut album Wet Leg.

"Wet Dream"
Single by Wet Leg
from the album Wet Leg
Released28 September 2021 (2021-09-28)
GenreIndie rock
Length2:20
LabelDomino
Songwriter(s)
  • Rhian Teasdale
  • Hester Chambers
  • Joshua Mobaraki
Producer(s)Dan Carey
Wet Leg singles chronology
"Chaise Longue"
(2021) 		"Wet Dream"
(2021) 		"Too Late Now" / "Oh No"
(2021)
Official video
"Wet Dream" on YouTube

Background and composition edit

"Wet Dream" was described as a "2 and half minute slice of exuberance".[1] Rhian Teasdale explained that the breakup song was written after she kept receiving texts from an ex telling her how he dreamt about her.[2]

It is a punk-leaning song featuring hollered vocals, squally riffs[3] and "tongue-in-cheek" lyrics.[4] Comparing it to the band's debut single "Chaise Longue", Tyler Golsen of Far Out found "Wet Dream" to be "far more melodic and indie rock-based" than its predecessor, and described the lyrical content of the two songs as "bizarre". He noted that "Wet Dream" contains plenty of sexual references, including its title.[5]

Promotion edit

The band performed the song during their Tiny Desk (Home) Concert, alongside "Chaise Longue", "Too Late Now" and "Oh No". Their performance, released on 1 December 2021, intersperses VHS clips with footage captured on modern cameras, as a nod to their sound which is inspired by the 1970s.[6]

Wet Leg chose to perform "Wet Dream" and "Chaise Longue" when they were the musical guest on The Tonight Show on 9 March 2022.[7] For their second appearance on Later... with Jools Holland, on 16 May 2022, they performed "Wet Dream" and "Ur Mum".[8]

Music video edit

The music video for "Wet Dream" was directed by Rhian Teasdale. It features Teasdale and Chambers who are about to eat lobster when they realise that they have lobster claws in place of their hands.[2] Its imagery was compared to the work of avant-garde Czech film director Věra Chytilová and Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dalí.[9]

Cover version edit

English singer-songwriter Harry Styles promoted the release of his third studio album Harry's House on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge on 23 May 2022. He played four songs during this set, including a cover of "Wet Dream".[10] This version featured more raw instrumentals than the original,[11] with more aggressive and forward guitars.[12] Wet Leg was later chosen as the opening act for the 2023 European leg of Styles' second concert tour.[13]

Charts edit

Chart performance for "Wet Dream"
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard)[14] 19
UK Singles (OCC)[15] 74
UK Indie (OCC)[16] 7

Certifications edit

Certifications for "Wet Dream"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[17] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References edit

  1. ^ Robb, John (28 September 2021). "WATCH THIS! new single and video from Wet Leg!". Louder Than War. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  2. ^ a b Aswad, Jem (28 September 2021). "Oddball British Duo Wet Leg Return With Their Second Great Single This Year, 'Wet Dream'". Variety. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  3. ^ Williams, Sophie (28 September 2021). "Wet Leg: "We want to be recognised as guitar heroes"". NME. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  4. ^ Droke, Carolyn (28 September 2021). "Wet Leg's Surreal 'Wet Dream' Video Combines Cottagecore With Lobster Hands". Uproxx. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  5. ^ Golsen, Tyler (30 September 2021). "Wet Leg share brand new single 'Wet Dream'". Far Out. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  6. ^ Skinner, Tom (1 December 2021). "Watch Wet Leg's debut appearance on NPR's 'Tiny Desk'". NME. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  7. ^ Zemler, Emily (10 March 2022). "Watch Wet Leg Perform 'Wet Dream,' 'Chaise Longue' on 'Fallon'". NME. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  8. ^ Gallagher, Alex (16 May 2022). "Watch Wet Leg play 'Wet Dream' and 'Ur Mum' on 'Later'". NME. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  9. ^ Murray, Robin (29 September 2021). "Wet Leg's 'Wet Dream' Is "Enough To Make A Girl Blush"". Clash. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  10. ^ Krol, Charlotte (24 May 2022). "Watch Harry Styles cover Wet Leg's 'Wet Dream' for BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge". NME. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  11. ^ Kahn, Jamie (24 May 2022). "Watch Harry Styles cover Wet Leg's 'Wet Dream' for BBC". Far Out. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  12. ^ Rossignol, Derrick (24 May 2022). "Harry Styles Keeps The Rock Edge On His Cover Of Wet Leg's 'Wet Dream'". Uproxx. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  13. ^ Taylor, Tom (27 August 2022). "Harry Styles announces 2023 European stadium tour with Wet Leg". Far Out. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  14. ^ "Hot Overseas". Billboard. 25 April 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  15. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  16. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  17. ^ "British single certifications – Wet Leg – Wet Dream". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
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