Quasimodo’s Dream by The Reels
“Quasimodo’s Dream” by The Reels, released in 1981, is often considered one of the most beautifully haunting songs to emerge from Australia during that period. The song’s title and some of its imagery reference Quasimodo, the hunchback of Notre-Dame, from Victor Hugo’s novel “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.” Here’s an exploration of the song’s meaning:
Imperfect Love: Quasimodo, in Victor Hugo’s story, is a deformed bell-ringer who falls deeply in love with the beautiful gypsy, Esmeralda. Despite his love, due to his appearance and social standing, he can never truly be with her. The song’s reference to Quasimodo might allude to the idea of an imperfect or unattainable love, suggesting that love is often idealized or dreamt about, but reality can be harsher.
Life’s Imperfections: The song delves into the theme that dreams and aspirations often don’t align with reality. Just as Quasimodo dreams of love and acceptance but faces rejection and loneliness, many people’s dreams remain unfulfilled because of life’s imperfections and challenges.
Reflection on Reality: The lyrics “Love won’t annul it, love cannot pull it, love isn’t bulletproof” emphasize that love, despite its power and beauty, cannot fix everything. It cannot necessarily alter one’s fate or the harshness of reality.
Hope amidst Desolation: Even though the song has a melancholic tone and touches on the harshness of reality, there is a sense of hope and beauty. The dream, though it may not be realized, is still worth cherishing. Similarly, Quasimodo’s love for Esmeralda, though tragic, is still beautiful in its depth and purity.
Musical Elements: The ethereal quality of the music, combined with the evocative lyrics, gives the song a dreamy, haunting atmosphere, which complements the theme of dreams versus reality.
In essence, “Quasimodo’s Dream” by The Reels is a poignant reflection on the nature of dreams, love, and the gap between aspiration and reality. It draws on the story of Quasimodo to illustrate the universal themes of unfulfilled desires and the often stark contrast between dreams and reality.
Facts About The Song
Release and Recognition: “Quasimodo’s Dream” was released in 1981 and, despite not being a commercial hit at the time, has since gained recognition as one of the great Australian songs.
APRA’s List: In 2001, the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) ranked “Quasimodo’s Dream” as one of the Top 30 Australian songs of all time.
Album Title: The song is from The Reels’ second album, also named “Quasimodo’s Dream”. It’s also the album’s third single.
Lead Singer: The song’s haunting quality is accentuated by the emotive vocals of lead singer Dave Mason.
Music Video: The music video for “Quasimodo’s Dream” is a memorable and surreal visual treat that captures the ethereal and dreamlike quality of the song.
Reception Over Time: Although the song wasn’t a massive commercial success upon its initial release, it has grown in stature over the years. It’s often cited by music critics and aficionados as a standout track of its era.
