These top songs about dreams are a gateway to another world, another universe, perhaps even another life. While many dismiss these claims as nothing but made up stories, people believe in what they chose to believe.
For millenniums we’ve dreamed about the stars, a lover, a dream job. But we also dream about lost family members, creatures chasing us in the dark, and failing that math exam.
It’s safe to say that dreams are important to people and to society. Whichever way you look at it, a person must dream about something they aspire to be or even were.
That’s why we’ve got 25 songs about dreams to keep you inspired for days to come. Without further ado, dream on. For extra inspiration, these some of the best living the dream meme gifs online will set you straight.
“Dream” – Imagine Dragons
Imagine Dragons is quite possibly one of the most popular bands of our time. And “Dream” by Imagine Dragons is so popular because it takes us to a world where we make our own rules – a dream world.
In this song about dreams, the singer leads us to believe that our world is a mess, that everything is going wrong, that people are suffering. So we can only dream of a better future.
“Just a Dream” – Carrie Underwood
“Just a Dream” by country superstar Carrie Underwood is a sad song about lost love. The video for the song portrays Carrie as a bride that’s about to walk down the chapel in her gown. Instead of getting married, she has to bury her fiance who died a soldier. The sad mid-song conversations between them don’t help out at all, as Carrie comes to the realization that she will never see her fiance again.
This song is a reality of our society, of how families get torn apart by war, death, and suffering. Oh, how Carrie wishes it was all a dream…
“Wildest Dreams” – Taylor Swift
The mega pop-singer Taylor Swift knows a thing or two about dreaming. Her 2014 hit single, “Wildest Dreams” is a song about meeting a person that she knows the relationship won’t last.
It is a song about living out your wildest dreams, even if they’re only meant to be temporary.
“Sweet Dreams” – Eurythmics
The first 80s song on this list is “Sweet Dreams” by Eurythmics. This pop-single is about an unrealistic relationship that the narrator describes as “sweet dreams”.
The unrealistic factor comes after we hear that everyone looks for something unique in a partner. And as the lyrics go:
Some of them want to use you, Some of them want to get used by you, Some of them want to abuse you, Some of them want to be abused.
Everybody has different motives and needs and we shouldn’t be ashamed of it.
“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” – Green Day
One of the most emotional and personal songs that Green Day has ever produced, “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” is about a guy breaking up with his girlfriend. He knows that his dreams are gone so he walks alone on the “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”. The song about dreams has a much deeper meaning with the narrator explaining to us that the person is desperate for someone to reach out and help him.
“Sweet Dreams” – Beyonce
This is the second song on this list that falls under the same name, but this one is from pop-star Beyonce. No doubt most of you have heard this song, and for good reasons.
Beyonce speaks to us in the voice of every woman. She knows that her man is too good to be true, so she waits to drift away to be with him once more.
“Dreams” – Fleetwood Mac
This song is quite different than anything we have on this list as it is a song portrayal of the internal struggle between two members of the Fleetwood Mac band. The two band members are Stevie Nick and Lindsay Buckingham.
“Dreams” was written and sang by Lindsay and is telling Stevie that she wants to break up, that she wants out! If that wasn’t enough, Stevie wrote a song back to her called “Go Your Own Way”.
“Dream Weaver” – Gary Wright
“Dream Weaver” is a very popular 1975 song that is a portrayal of everyday life struggles some people have. The narrator of the song explains to us how life sometimes isn’t what we make it out to be. The narrator also explains that sometimes we gotta go on a plane and leave in a fantasy world to escape the pain and suffering.
“A Head Full of Dreams” – Coldplay
Coldplay is one of the most famous bands of our time, and “A Head Full of Dreams” is dedicated to everyone out there that wishes to dream about the future.
It’s about the endless possibilities that could exist inside our heads. It’s an uplifting song that encourages us to look forward to these possibilities.
“In Sleep” – Lissie
Yet another sad song from the 10s, Lissie in “In Sleep” sings about losing her sweetheart and the only way to see him again is in her dreams. But this song is much truer to the sad reality that some people experience by losing a loved on. Lissie also sings about retrieving to her dreams solely for the hopes of seeing him again.
“American Dream” – MKTO
A song that isn’t about love but about the fundamental changes made to the “American Dream”. This phrase is what attracts millions of people to come and live in the United States. But the narrator in “American Dream” talks about chasing a counterproductive lifestyle instead of seeking a family. There isn’t a more evident lyric in the entire song than these lines:
This ain’t the same summer song that you used to know
‘Cause Jack left Diane thirty years ago
The world is spinning too fast for you and me
So tell me whatever happened to the American dream.
“Enter Sandman” – Metalica
Now, this is a song that doesn’t relate in any way shape or form to love but to fear. Fear of the dark, fear of the unknown, the monster, fear of sleeping, or DREAMING.
“Enter Sandman” is a classic Metalica song that teaches us that if we don’t let go of the fear, then the fear will consume us whole.
“Teenage Dream” – Katy Perry
Katy Perry is quite a successful artist, but “Teenage Dream” never managed to hit the number one spot of any chart.
With that said, the song is about relieving many of the feelings we get when teenagers. It’s about reliving teenage love, having a crush, experiencing heartbreak, and many other emotions that have consumed us while we were growing up.
“Number 9 Dream” – John Lennon
John Lennon is one of the most influential artists of our time. And no other is more mysterious than Number 9 Dream. The song is filled with mysterious lyrics that where John questions if certain events happened in a dream or not?
But many are led to believe that this song predicted John’s death. If you are familiar with the way John Lennon died, then there are compelling arguments to be made. However, that is all internet talk for the time being.
“The River of Dreams” – Billy Joel
In “The River of Dreams”, Billy Joel sings about a river that has a rather symbolic meaning. This river is meant to represent the afterlife or spiritual fulfillment.
The river is represented as an obstacle between Billy and a person that has been wrongfully taken from him. So he has to cross the river or afterlife to get to his destination – the dream.
“Had a Dream” – The Judds
In “Had a Dream”, the singer dreams about a lover that has abandoned her. The song is quite sad and quite forgiving of the fact that this person has left our protagonist and doesn’t plan on returning. This leaves our protagonist heartbroken and lonely, with the only way of seeing him again is by dreaming about him.
“These Dreams” – Heart
A lot of people experience pain and suffering every single day. Well, that is exactly what Hear portrays in the 1986 rock hit “These Dreams”. The song is about escaping the pain of everyday ordinary life and entering the dream world where everything is exciting and perfect. The narrator also explains to us that the main protagonist lives a parallel life, one in the real world and one in her dreams.
“Dream Baby Dream” – Bruce Springsteen
The original song about dreams was made by Suicide back in 1979. But Bruce Springsteen decided to bring it back to life with his very own variation of the song. Although quite similar, the song encourages us to open our hearts and dream.
“Just a Dream” – Nelly
Nelly is no stranger to fame, success, and quite possibly women. But one thing that Nelly isn’t a stranger to, is heartbreak.
“Just a Dream” was recorded back in 2010 and is quite reflecting on Nelly’s mistakes with his ex-girlfriend. Due to unknown reasons, although they might be obvious, his girlfriend leaves him. In the song, Nelly regrets not proposing to his ex and travels back through his dreams to that very moment where he makes up his mistake.
However, once he opens his eyes he realizes that it was just a dream.
“Dreamlover” – Mariah Carey
In “Dreamlover”, Mariah dreams of someone to come and rescue her. She doesn’t want someone to pretend to be that savior, she wants the man the be honest about it. Mariah might look like the perfect woman, but she understands and acknowledges her drawbacks. Thus, “Dreamlover” is about a guy that will be understanding of her needs and her drawbacks.
“Don’t Dream It’s Over” – Crowded House
In “Don’t Dream It’s Over”, the narrator sings to us about outside forces trying to ruin his relationship. But the narrator also tells the viewer that their relationship isn’t perfect.
Amidst all the turbulence, these forces have almost achieved their objective. But they must not win and the only way to prevent it is by sticking together.
“Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car” – Billy Ocean
Many believe this 1988 hit single to be quite demeaning towards women. Although we don’t know if Billy and the person he sings about know each other, he tries to smooth-talk his way into trying to get her attention. He sings to her: “Get outta my Dreams, Get into my car”.
“Dream On” – Aerosmith
“Dream On” was voted as one of Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. And for good reasons as it took the band almost six years to make.
The song is a must-listen since it’s about growing up, maturing, and determining who you want to become. It’s about overcoming the internal struggles and dreaming to become somebody.
“All I Have to Do Is Dream” – The Everly Brothers
Yet another love-themed song, but this time it’s from the 70s and the ever-gracious Everly Brothers. The single “All I Have to Do Is Dream” is about a man being separated from his beloved one.
The only comfort the man has is by visiting her in his dreams. If the man misses her, he goes to dreamland and sees her.
“California Dreaming” – The Mamas & The Papas
“California Dreaming” is a classic American song that fantasizes about living in California – Los Angeles to be precise. The song is from 1965 and from a time where everyone wanted to live in a state that has good weather and nice people.
When the song was written, the band was living in New York where they dreamed about the golden beaches of LA.
Closing Thoughts
These were our 25 songs about dreams to keep you inspired. While there are many more out there, we’ve singled out these ones as they bring different topics to the overall conversation.
