Cross released his debut album, 'Christopher Cross', in 1979, and it garnered him five Grammy Awards. He's the only artist in history to receive all of the "Big Four" Grammy Awards (for 'Best Record', 'Best Song', 'Best Album', and 'Best New Artist') in the same year. Hits from the critically acclaimed album, along with "Sailing" (a number one hit that remained within Billboard's Top 40 for over three months), include "Ride Like the Wind" (which was a #2 hit), "Never Be the Same" (going to #15), and "Say You'll Be Mine" (rising to #20). Critics such as Allmusic's Mike DeGagne have lauded Cross' " crisp and colorful" songwriting and "soothing voice".
Labeled as possibly having 'peaked too early' as time went on, Cross proved the doubters wrong with another number one hit in "Arthur's Theme" (also known as "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)"). A part of the Dudley Moore film 'Arthur', the track, as stated before, won him the Academy Award for Best Song in 1981 alongside co-composers Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, and Peter Allen. Although his popularity has waxed and waned over the years since his 70s heyday, Cross has earned a reputation as one of the key artists playing what would become known as "yacht rock" alongside contemporaries such as Loggins & Messina.
Dreamers
Christopher Cross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dreamers sit plying their trade
Mind like an open umbrella
Dreamers, dreamers
Calmly watch the parade
As we gasp at the madness
They dream through the horrors we grieve
Dreamers, dreamers
Bring our only reprieve
Look inside them
No one's there
Steal their secrets
They don't care
Dreamers see beauty in trouble
Dreamers find truth in it all
Tuning their ears to the starlight
Dreamers, dreamers
May the universe call
All good dreamers
Know despair
Take your best shot
They don't care
Dream a lot, dream a lot
(Dream a lot)
Dream a lot, dream a lot
(Dream a lot)
Dream a lot, dream a lot
(Dream a lot)
Dream a lot
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh...
All good dreamers
Know despair
Take your best shot
I don't care
Some dreamers dream till they get there
Some dreamers stop at the door
So let's sing a song for the lost ones
Dreamers, dreamers
May they dream ever more
Dreamers, dreamers
May they dream ever more
Dreamers, dreamers
May they dream ever more
Dreamers, dreamers
The first verse of Christopher Cross's song "Dreamers" captures the essence of the song's message: dreamers, with minds like open umbrellas, sit in dark corners and watch the parade of life. While we gasp at the madness and horror of the world, the dreamers calmly dream on, finding reprieve in their own worlds of imagination. The chorus emphasizes that dreamers are often misunderstood and overlooked by those who fail to see the beauty and truth in their dreams. The second verse speaks directly to the skeptics of the world who believe that dreamers have nothing important to contribute. In reality, dreamers are the ones who have the unique ability to see beauty in trouble and find truth in the chaos of the world.
Overall, "Dreamers" is about recognizing and appreciating the power of imagination and the role that dreamers play in our lives. They help us to see the world in a new light and remind us that there is always hope and beauty to be found, even in the darkest of times.
Line by Line Meaning
Off in a million dark corners
In various unknown places, there are dreamers who are lost in their thoughts
Dreamers sit plying their trade
These dreamers are engrossed in their imaginative work
Mind like an open umbrella
These dreamers have an expansive mind and are open to new ideas
Dreamers, dreamers
Emphasizes the presence of these imaginative people
Calmly watch the parade
Despite what's going on around them, these dreamers remain composed and focused on their own work
As we gasp at the madness
While the rest of us are shell-shocked and overwhelmed by the chaos of the world, these dreamers stay steadfast
They dream through the horrors we grieve
These dreamers are able to channel their emotions and thoughts, finding solace even while others are suffering
What would the world be without them
This line poses a rhetorical question to make the listener realize the importance of these dreamers
Bring our only reprieve
These dreamers offer us some respite from the horrors of the world
Look inside them
If you closely observe these dreamers, you'll realize they are different
No one's there
This is a metaphorical line commenting that these dreamers are lost in their thoughts and a different realm
Steal their secrets
These dreamers are so lost in their thoughts that they don't realize when their ideas are being borrowed or stolen
They don't care
The dreamers are so wrapped up in their own world that they are indifferent to the real world
Dreamers see beauty in trouble
These dreamers are able to appreciate the beauty in something that others perceive as trouble or chaos
Dreamers find truth in it all
These dreamers are able to see the real essence and meaning behind the worldly chaos
Tuning their ears to the starlight
This is a metaphorical line referring to how these dreamers are able to sense and feel what others can't, in the same way we can't hear starlight
May the universe call
The dreamers hope that their thoughts and ideas are heard by the universe and given importance
All good dreamers know despair
These dreamers are often misunderstood or alone, and as such, know what deep sadness feels like
Take your best shot
This line suggests that others can try to bring down these dreamers, but their passion is too strong to be defeated
Some dreamers dream till they get there
Some people are motivated by their dreams and aspirations, and keep dreaming until they reach their goals
Some dreamers stop at the door
Others lose their motivation, hopes, or thoughts midway through their work
So let's sing a song for the lost ones
This line is a tribute to those dreamers who lose themselves in their thoughts for the greater good
Dreamers, dreamers
A final reminder of the presence and importance of these thought-provocative entities
May they dream ever more
The song concludes by wishing a prosperous future for these dreamers, hoping they continue to provide us with unique perspectives
Contributed by Katherine L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Thin Htet's favourite
Beautiful people with beautiful minds...
Tom Pickett's Astrophotography
OMG Wow I love this song !!! Nice Christopher !!! :-)
crystal fairy
Beautiful music, great video, Christopher Cross what else can I say ❤️🎶🎵🧚♀️
Ishuko Abel
Thank you Mr. Cross. Beautiful, uplifting.
enasdad
Love it. Praying for you brother
David Lerch
it's been a long time since a song/video inspired me. Kudos Christopher, you'r music offers hope.
Vegan Vocalist
What beautiful sentiment and video , never heard this one of his before ;D LOVE it
Joe Kelley
Beautiful song. Beautiful video. Truly where would be be without all of them? It really is a beautiful world, and an awesome gift to just be alive to witness it.
MizBee
❤️👍🏼
Michael Garlick
Bruce McLaren belongs in your video. But its great all the same.