Born in Mississauga, Ontario, she wrote poetry and did theater at a young age. At age 10, she began playing guitar and taught herself how to play various songs. At 13, she began her own YouTube channel where she posted covers of songs that she performed. She signed with EP Entertainment and Def Jam Recordings in July 2014, at the age of 18. Cara released her debut single, "Here", in April 2015. It was described as "a song for everyone who secretly hates parties" by MTV. The song debuted on The Fader and accumulated over 500,000 streams in its first week. On May 5, 2015, the song was chosen as a can't-miss track by SPIN Magazine, listed as a must hear song by Cosmopolitan, and included on Billboard's "20 Pop Songs You Need For Your Summer Playlist" in June 2015.
Her debut album Know-It-All was released on November 13, 2015, containing the singles "Seventeen", "Here", "Wild Things", and "Scars to Your Beautiful".
Her sophomore album The Pains of Growing was released on November 30, 2018, containing the singles "Growing Pains", "Not Today", "Trust My Lonely", "A Little More", and "Out of Love".
Alessia released an EP in between her second and third albums entitled This Summer on September 6, 2019, which has six songs including "Rooting For You" and "Ready".
Her third album In the Meantime was released on September 24, 2021, and contains the singles "Sweet Dream", "Shapeshifter", "Best Days", and "You Let Me Down".
Her fourth album Love & Hyperbole released on February 14, 2025, containing the singles "Dead Man" and "Fire".
Sweet Dream
Alessia Cara Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My heavy eyes, I can never seem to close 'em
My running mind, just can't catch it when it's going
Is it late at night or is it early in the morning?
Only
So many sheep a girl can count
Patchouli candles burning outI try to meditate it all away
But damn it, it's too quiet now
Daylight helps distract my head
Monsters hide under my bed
They bother me with all kinds of things
Like where do I go when I'm dead?
Is it too much to ask for a sweet dream?
Need a step back from my feelings
Life is not so bad when I'm sleeping
Is it too much to ask, too much to ask for a
Sweet dream?
For a sweet dream
6:58, sun's peeking through the curtains
I drift away, suddenly the wheels are turning
Songs are in my head, scary thoughts begin to worsen
Once I'm wide awake, it's too hard to reverse it
Chirping
Birds are flying 'round my house
Patchouli candles burning out
I try to meditate it all away
But damn it, it's too quiet now
Daylight helps distract my head
Monsters hide under my bedThey bother me with all kinds of things
Like that one stupid thing I said
Is it too much to ask for a sweet dream? (Sweet dream)
Need a step back from my feelings (feelings)
Life is not so bad when I'm sleeping
Is it too much to ask, too much to ask for a
Sweet dream?
For a sweet dream
Sweet dream
For a sweet dream
Sandman, can you visit me?
All I want is a sweet dream
8:31, I'm slurring every word now
I pray this cold coffee helps me with the rebound
How does everybody I know know how to sleep sound?
When we're all a mess, I guess the only way out
Is a sweet dream (sweet dream, sweet dream)
Is a sweet dream, ah
Sweet dream, oh yeah
Is a sweet dream (ah)
The lyrics of Alessia Cara's song "Sweet Dream" focus on the idea of sleep and the ways in which it can be both inviting and evasive. The song opens with the lines: "4:55, everybody else is snoring / My heavy eyes, I can never seem to close 'em / My running mind, just can't catch it when it's going / Is it late at night or is it early in the morning?" Here, Cara describes the paradox of wanting to sleep but being unable to do so, as the world around her quiets down to rest during the night.
Cara moves on to describe the ways in which she tries to cope with this sleeplessness, including counting sheep, meditating, and turning to the daylight to distract her mind. Despite these efforts, she still finds herself plagued by anxious thoughts and doubts, as she sings about monsters under the bed and worrying about what happens after death.
Throughout the song, Cara repeats the refrain: "Is it too much to ask for a sweet dream? / Need a step back from my feelings / Life is not so bad when I'm sleeping / Is it too much to ask, too much to ask for a / Sweet dream? / For a sweet dream." This highlights the importance of sleep as a respite from the struggles of daily life, and the desire to find peace and comfort in dreams.
Overall, "Sweet Dream" is a poignant reflection on the complexities of sleep and the role it plays in our emotional wellbeing.
Line by Line Meaning
4:55, everybody else is snoring
It's almost 5am, everyone else is asleep except me.
My heavy eyes, I can never seem to close 'em
Despite being tired, I cannot fall asleep.
My running mind, just can't catch it when it's going
I have a lot of thoughts and can't seem to stop thinking.
Is it late at night or is it early in the morning?
I'm not sure if it's late or early, as I haven't slept yet.
Only so many sheep a girl can count
Counting sheep to help me sleep isn't working anymore.
Patchouli candles burning out
The smell of burning candles isn't helping me relax anymore.
I try to meditate it all away, but damn it, it's too quiet now
I'm attempting meditation to calm down, but the silence makes things worse.
Daylight helps distract my head
During the day, my thoughts aren't as overwhelming.
Monsters hide under my bed
Anxiety and fear are always present, even when I'm trying to sleep.
They bother me with all kinds of things, like where do I go when I'm dead?
My mind is filled with existential questions that keep me up at night.
Is it too much to ask for a sweet dream? Need a step back from my feelings
I'm hoping for a peaceful dream to escape my overwhelming thoughts and feelings.
Life is not so bad when I'm sleeping
Sleeping is a temporary escape from reality.
6:58, sun's peeking through the curtains
It's almost 7am and the sun is starting to shine through my window.
I drift away, suddenly the wheels are turning
I slowly begin to fall asleep, but my mind starts racing again.
Songs are in my head, scary thoughts begin to worsen
As I get closer to sleep, my thoughts become more negative and scary.
Once I'm wide awake, it's too hard to reverse it
Once I've woken up in the middle of the night, it's difficult to fall back asleep.
Chirping birds are flying 'round my house
Morning has arrived and I can hear birds outside.
That one stupid thing I said
I'm replaying past moments in my head, trying to find a way to fix them.
Sandman, can you visit me?
I'm hoping for the Sandman to bring me a peaceful dream.
8:31, I'm slurring every word now
It's now 8:30am and I'm exhausted, struggling to speak.
I pray this cold coffee helps me with the rebound
I'm using coffee to try and regain energy after a sleepless night.
How does everybody I know know how to sleep sound?
I'm frustrated that everyone else can sleep easily, while I struggle to do so.
When we're all a mess, I guess the only way out is a sweet dream
When life gets overwhelming, the only escape is a peaceful dream.
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Alessia Caracciolo, Caroline Ailin, Jason Evigan, Jon Levine, Spencer Stewart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@michagabo8819
The Book of Truth
When things were at their very worst:
2 Suns, Cross in the sky, 2 comets will collide = don`t be afraid โ repent, accept Lord`s Hand of Mercy.
Scientists will say it was a global illusion.
Beaware โ Jesus will never walk in flesh again.
After WW3 โ rise of the โ man of peaceโ from the East = Antichrist โ the most powerful, popular, charismatic and influential leader of all time. Many miracles will be attributed to him. He will imitate Jesus in every conceivable way.
Don`t trust โpopeโ Francis = the False Prophet
- will seem to rise from the dead
- will unite all Christian Churches and all Religions as one.
One World Religion = the seat of the Antichrist.
Benedict XVI is the last true pope - will be accused of a crime of which he is totally innocent.
"The schism in My Church will be broken into different stages"
Sunday, 20 October 2013
@lavender254
LYRICS:
[Verse 1]
4: 55, everybody else is snoring
My heavy eyes, I can never seem to close 'em
My runningโ mind,โ just can't catchโ you when it's going
Is it lateโ at night or is it early in the mornin'?
[Pre-Chorus]
Only, so many sheep a girl can count
Patchouli candles burnin' out
I try to meditate it all away
But damn, it is too quiet now
Daylight helps distract my head
Monsters hide under my bed
They bother me with all kinds of things like
"Where do I go when I'm dead?"
[Chorus]
Is it too much to ask for a sweet dream?
Need a step back from my feelings
Life is not so bad when I'm sleeping
Is it too much to ask, too much to ask for a
A sweet dream
For a sweet dream
[Verse 2]
6: 58, sun's peakin' through the curtains
I drift away, suddenly the wheels are turnin'
Songs are in my head, scary thoughts begin to worsen
Once I'm wide awake, it's too hard to reverse it
[Pre-Chorus]
Chirpin' birds are flying 'round my house
Patchouli candles burnin' out
I try to meditate it all away
But damn, it is too quiet now
Daylight helps distract my head
Monsters hide under my bed
They bother me with all kinds of things like
That one stupid thing I said
[Chorus]
Is it too much to ask for a sweet dream? (Sweet dream)
Need a step back from my feelings (Feelings)
Life is not so bad when I'm sleeping
Is it too much to ask, too much to ask for a
A sweet dream
For a sweet dream
A sweet dream
For a sweet dream
[Bridge]
Sandman, can you visit me?
All I want is a sweet dream
[Verse 3]
8: 31, I'm slurrin' every word now
I pray this cold coffee helps me with the rebound
How does everybody I know, know how to sleep sound?
When we're all a mess, I guess the only way out is a
[Outro]
A sweet dream (Sweet dream, sweet dream)
Is a sweet dream (Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah, ah)
A sweet dream (Oh yeah, yeah, ayy, ayy)
Is a sweet dream (Yeah, ayy, ayy)
@As-xk3ou
~Lyrics~
4:55, everybody else is snoring
My heavy eyes, I can never seem to close'em
My running mind, just can't catch it when it's going
Is it late at night, or is it early in the morning
Only
So many sheep a girl can count
Patchouli candles burning out
I try to meditate it all away but damn it's to quite now
Daylight helps distract my head
Monsters hide under my bed
They bother me with all kinds of things
Like "where do I go when I'm dead"
Is it to much to ask for a sweet dream
Need a step back from my feelings
Life is not so bad when I'm sleeping
Is it to much to ask
To much to ask for a
Sweet dream
For a, sweet dream
6:58, sun's peaking trough the curtains
I drift away, suddenly the wheels are turning
Songs are in my head, scary thoughts begin to worsen
Once I'm wide awake, it's to hard to reverse it
Chirping
Birds are flying round my house
Patchouli candles burning out
I try to meditate it all away but damn it's to quite now
Daylight helps distract my head
Monsters hide under my bed
They bother me with all kinds of things
Like that one stupid thing I said
Is it to much to ask for a sweet dream
Need a step back from my feelings
Life is not so bad when I'm sleeping
Is it to much to ask
To much to ask for a, sweet dream
For a, sweet dream
Sweet dream
For a, sweet dream
Sandman can you visit me
All I want is a sweet dream
8:31, I'm slurring all the words now
I pray this cold coffee, helps me with the rebound
How does everybody i know, know how to sleep sound
When we're all a mess, I guess the only way out
Is a, sweet dream
Sweet dream
Is a, sweet dream
Sweet dream
Is a, sweet dream.
@samr3384
She says things that we all just think about but can't put into words
@cyn341
Could not have said it any better... I really feel like her ability to do that and put into words what so many of us experience as humans but have a hard time putting into words is what makes her songwriting so unique
@TheCosmicNote
Exactly! The emotions sheโs singing about are extremely complex, sometimes we donโt even notice that weโre actually feeling such emotion, but the way she writes about them is very unique, it makes us understand and relate to the lyrics easily. Not a lot of people can do that!
@alelaguna97
That's one of the reasons I love her!
@robinskull
Alessia Cara suck, my music is better
@pulina2909
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaCE99aYO5E ..
@burrito5836
"Life is not too bad when I'm sleeping" COULDN'T AGREE MORE
@michagabo8819
The Book of Truth
When things were at their very worst:
2 Suns, Cross in the sky, 2 comets will collide = don`t be afraid โ repent, accept Lord`s Hand of Mercy.
Scientists will say it was a global illusion.
Beaware โ Jesus will never walk in flesh again.
After WW3 โ rise of the โ man of peaceโ from the East = Antichrist โ the most powerful, popular, charismatic and influential leader of all time. Many miracles will be attributed to him. He will imitate Jesus in every conceivable way.
Don`t trust โpopeโ Francis = the False Prophet
- will seem to rise from the dead
- will unite all Christian Churches and all Religions as one.
One World Religion = the seat of the Antichrist.
Benedict XVI is the last true pope - will be accused of a crime of which he is totally innocent.
"The schism in My Church will be broken into different stages"
Sunday, 20 October 2013
@miccaelabalagon612
im about to type this
@mariatienda4154
Agreed