Simon's career began with a short-lived music group with her sister Lucy as The Simon Sisters. They had a minor hit in 1964 called "Winkin', Blinkin', and Nod", and made three albums together before Lucy left to get married and start a family. Later, Carly Simon collaborated with eclectic New York rockers Elephant's Memory for about six months. She also appeared in the 1971 Milos Forman movie Taking Off, playing an auditioning singer, and sang "Long Term Physical Effects", which was included in Taking Off, the 1971 soundtrack for the movie.
Simon's major breakthrough was 1972's No Secrets. The album spawned several successful singles, including Simon's biggest hit, "You're So Vain". Simon continued to produce successful albums through the 1970s and early 1980s, moving into film scores after she was dropped by her record label in 1985. She performed the main title song for the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me - "Nobody Does It Better" which was a worldwide hit in 1977.
The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of
Carly Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Change the direction
Adjust the tuning
Try a new translation
Don't look at your man in the same old way
Take a new picture
Just because you don't see shooting stars
Doesn't mean it isn't perfect
It's the stuff that dreams are made of
It's the slow and steady fire
It's the stuff that dreams are made of
It's your heart and soul's desire
It's the stuff that dreams are made of
So what's this about your best friend?
She's got a brand new shiny boy
And they're moving out to Malibu
To play with all his pretty toys
And you feel closed in by the same four walls
The same old conversation
With the same old guy you've know for years
But use your imagination
And you will see....
It's the stuff that dreams are made of
It's the slow and steady fire
It's the stuff that dreams are made of
It's your heart and soul's desire
It's the stuff that dreams are made of
What if the Prince on the horse in your fairytale
Is right here in disguise
And what if the stars you've been reaching so high for
Are shining in his eyes
Don't look at yourself in the same old way
Take another picture
Shoot the stars off in your own backyard
Don't look any further
And you will see
It's the stuff that dreams are made of....
Carly Simon's "The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of" is a song about looking at things in a different way in order to see the "stuff that dreams are made of". The song challenges the listener to change their perspective and try new things, rather than sticking to the same old ways that lead to feeling closed in and uninspired. The lyrics are a call to action to look at the world through fresh eyes.
The first two verses encourage the listener to make changes and try new experiences, such as adjusting the tuning and trying a new translation. The song suggests that changing one's perspective can help in seeing the good in a relationship or situation, even if it isn't perfect or doesn't involve spontaneous moments of romance. The chorus describes the "stuff that dreams are made of" as a slow and steady fire fueled by the heart and soul's desire, emphasizing the importance of chasing one's own dreams rather than comparing oneself to others. The third verse introduces the idea that what we're searching for might be right in front of us, but we're not able to see it because we're looking elsewhere. The song ends on a hopeful note, encouraging the listener to "shoot the stars off in your own backyard" and discover the magic in their own lives.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of" advocate for taking risks, trying new things, and following one's own dreams. The song paints a picture of life as a journey that requires an open mind and a willingness to embrace change in order to see the beauty in everyday moments.
Line by Line Meaning
Take a look around now
Take a moment to observe your surroundings and reflect on your current situation.
Change the direction
Consider changing the path you're on and exploring new opportunities.
Adjust the tuning
Fine-tune your expectations and attitudes to achieve better outcomes.
Try a new translation
Look at things from a different perspective to gain new insights and understanding.
Don't look at your man in the same old way
Challenge yourself to view your partner in new ways and appreciate them for who they are.
Take a new picture
Reframe your outlook to focus on the positive and make the most of new opportunities.
Just because you don't see shooting stars
Just because something isn't flashy or extravagant doesn't mean it isn't valuable or worth pursuing.
Doesn't mean it isn't perfect
Perfection isn't always about grand gestures or showy displays; sometimes the best things in life are simple and understated.
Can't you see...
Take a moment to consider the bigger picture and see the possibilities that are out there.
It's the stuff that dreams are made of
This is the heart and soul of what inspires us to strive for something more.
It's the slow and steady fire
Sometimes the best things in life take time and patience to develop and grow.
It's your heart and soul's desire
The truest and most meaningful dreams are those that come from deep within us.
So what's this about your best friend?
A reminder to avoid comparing ourselves to others or conforming to their standards.
She's got a brand new shiny boy
Someone else's good fortune and success doesn't diminish our own value or achievements.
And they're moving out to Malibu
Other people's choices and experiences are theirs alone and don't reflect on our own situation.
To play with all his pretty toys
Material possessions and superficial pleasures don't necessarily bring fulfillment or happiness.
And you feel closed in by the same four walls
A sense of confinement or boredom in our routine can be a catalyst for change and growth.
The same old conversation
Monotonous or predictable patterns of communication can be disrupted by trying new ways to connect with others.
With the same old guy you've know for years
Familiarity doesn't mean we know everything there is to know about someone or something.
But use your imagination
Creativity and vision can help us break free from our limitations and explore new possibilities.
And you will see....
An invitation to envision a different future and embrace new possibilities.
What if the Prince on the horse in your fairytale
An analogy for the idea that sometimes what we're looking for is closer than we realize, and sometimes our expectations and assumptions get in the way of seeing it.
Is right here in disguise
The person or thing we're searching for may come in unexpected ways or forms.
And what if the stars you've been reaching so high for
The things we've been striving for may not be as elusive as we think, or may not be worth the effort to obtain.
Are shining in his eyes
We may find that what we're looking for is already within us, or in the people and relationships we already have in our lives.
Don't look at yourself in the same old way
Challenge yourself to see your own strengths and potential in new and empowering ways.
Take another picture
Adopt a new perspective that helps you see the beauty and possibility in your own life.
Shoot the stars off in your own backyard
We don't need to travel far or achieve great things to find meaning and fulfillment; sometimes the best things in life are close at hand.
Don't look any further
The key to finding happiness and success may be right in front of us, or within ourselves.
And you will see
A reminder that our perspectives and attitudes shape our experiences and can open up new possibilities for us.
It's the stuff that dreams are made of....
This refrain is repeated throughout the song to reinforce the message that the things that inspire us and fill us with hope and passion are the true substance of our dreams.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CARLY SIMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@estpst
Take a look around now
Change the direction
Adjust the tuning
Try a new translation
Don't look at your man in the same old way
Take a new picture
Just because you don't see shooting stars
Doesn't mean it isn't perfect
Can't you see...
It's the stuff that dreams are made of
It's the slow and steady fire
It's the stuff that dreams are made of
It's your heart and soul's desire
It's the stuff that dreams are made of
So what's this about your best friend?
She's got a brand new shiny boy
And they're moving out to Malibu
To play with all his pretty toys
And you feel closed in by the same four walls
The same old conversation
With the same old guy you've know for years
But use your imagination
And you will see....
It's the stuff that dreams are made of
It's the slow and steady fire
It's the stuff that dreams are made of
It's your heart and soul's desire
It's the stuff that dreams are made of
What if the Prince on the horse in your fairytale
Is right here in disguise
And what if the stars you've been reaching so high for
Are shining in his eyes
Don't look at yourself in the same old way
Take another picture
Shoot the stars off in your own backyard
Don't look any further
And you will see
It's the stuff that dreams are made of..
@gio9440
I am older now and one of those invisible people in this vast universe who has been impacted by Carly Simon’s music. Carly will never know me personally and I will never be able to repay her for what she’s given me, but she has been part of my life and within my soul since I first saw her perform. Thank you Carly for bringing me and the world happiness all these years!
@dawnie9425
I love this comment 💗
@lynngregory393
Beautifully said. She continues to inspire.
@ericengbloom3857
From my childhood it's terrible
@gio9440
@@ericengbloom3857 so sorry you had a miserable childhood
@SandraNasrollah
I'm probably. Older than u. Lol.
@pedro49ism
As ditas divas pops internacionais se preocupam em mostrar o corpo quase nuas nos palcos do que propriamente cantar de verdade...Carly Simon é perfeita como cantora...uma verdadeira Diva Pop Internacional!
@carolmusial9906
Love Carly Simon A great singer ..Love all her Songs . 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
@americanwoodsman4206
This song should be a mandatory handout to every newly married couple, and to every couple seeking marriage counseling, just to remind them of the sacredness of their wedding vows.
@kristinhernandez8946
Amen to that! ❤