Wildest Dreams

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning "Wildest Dreams" by Asia from their iconic debut album, Asia, for all the Zoo Freaks tuning in. This track, the sixth on the 1982 album, dives deep into the grim realities of war, a stark contrast to the album’s more radio-friendly hits like "Heat of the Moment." According to Genius, the song’s lyrics, penned by John Wetton and Geoff Downes, critique how generals are celebrated while soldiers are forgotten, with lines like “They decorated all the generals / Who fought the war behind the lines.” It’s a poignant jab at the glorification of war’s orchestrators, reflecting Asia’s progressive roots despite their pop-rock sheen.

In a 1982 interview snippet found on Wikipedia, John Wetton recalled the recording process, noting that tracks like "Wildest Dreams" were among the more progressive cuts on the album, laid down before the band polished off their monster hit "Heat of the Moment." Steve Howe, the guitarist, mentioned the album’s “Journey-esque” production, courtesy of producer Mike Stone, but "Wildest Dreams" retained a raw, almost defiant edge, with its anti-war sentiment cutting through the era’s synthesizer-heavy trends. Wetton himself remarked on defying expectations, saying, “Everyone said, ‘Oh, no, no, no. A prog-guitar band ain’t gonna work.’ But it did,” highlighting how Asia’s blend of prog and pop struck a chord.

A tidbit from CMF Radio sheds light on the song’s deeper meaning, suggesting it also touches on rejecting euthanasia and the nightmares war creates for the powerless. The outro, with Wetton singing, “No, not in this world / No, not in the next / No, not in my wildest dreams,” is a haunting refusal to accept a violent reality. Fans on Asia’s official Facebook have echoed this, with posts over the years calling "Wildest Dreams" a hidden gem that showcases Wetton’s emotive vocals and the band’s ability to tackle heavy themes while keeping the hooks tight.

Asia formed in 1981 as a supergroup, uniting prog-rock titans with serious pedigrees. John Wetton, the bassist and vocalist, had cut his teeth with King Crimson and UK, bringing a soulful grit to the mix. Guitarist Steve Howe was fresh off his tenure with Yes, known for intricate riffs and a flair for the dramatic. Drummer Carl Palmer, from Emerson, Lake & Palmer, added thunderous percussion, while keyboardist Geoff Downes, who’d tasted pop success with The Buggles and Yes, rounded out the lineup with his synth wizardry. As detailed on Last.fm, the band came together after Wetton and Howe’s paths crossed in London, with Palmer and Downes joining to create a sound that married prog complexity with FM radio appeal.

Their self-titled debut, released in 1982, was a juggernaut, topping the Billboard charts for nine weeks and selling over nine million copies worldwide, per Last.fm. Asia’s Facebook often shares throwback photos from those early days, showing the band in their feathered-hair, ’80s glory, hammering out hits on world tours. The band’s formation wasn’t without hiccups—Wetton had been bouncing between projects, and Howe was initially hesitant to dive into a new venture post-Yes—but their chemistry clicked, and Asia became a defining act of the era. Though John Wetton passed away in 2017, the band, now featuring Downes, Palmer, Billy Sherwood, and Marc Bonilla, continues to tour, as noted in a 2022 post on Asia’s X account.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to dig deeper, Asia’s official website is the hub for tour dates, merch, and news. Their Facebook page is active with fan interactions and nostalgic posts, while Instagram offers behind-the-scenes glimpses and concert shots. On X, the band shares updates and engages with fans directly. For diehards, the Asia Fan Club site is a treasure trove of memorabilia and community events, like the 2023 John Wetton memorial concert. There’s also a vibrant Asia Fans Facebook group, where fans swap stories, rare vinyl finds, and live bootlegs, keeping the spirit of tracks like "Wildest Dreams" alive.