By his teens, Branan was playing hard rock and heavy metal, eventually fronting a Black Sabbath cover band. In his early 20s he began to explore the music of John Prine, a move which urged him to pick up a guitar and start writing songs. In 2000, the Memphis chapter of NARAS awarded Branan with the Phillips Award for "Newcomer of the Year." He didn't even have a recording contract yet, and the acclaim started rolling in. Two years later, Branan made his label debut with Memphis' Madjack Records with the release of The Hell You Say. In 2003 he appeared on both The Late Show with David Letterman and Last Call With Carson Daly.
In March 2006, after almost four years, Branan released his second album 12 Songs again on Madjack Records. Blender Magazine, commenting on the time it took for Branan to record his sophomore effort, said, "12 Songs justifies the sabatical."
Contacts:
Manager - Mike Galt / mike.galt@gmail.com / 760.443.8786
Agent - Chris Paules / Bridge City Industries / chris@bridgecityind.com / 503.888.7674
American Dream
Cory Branan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There was a shoreline
Was an american dream
Hear her laughing
Really feels like
An american dream
there was a t.v. turned down
And I woke up
From my american dream
how long have I been sleeping?
How long til I rest in your arms again?
there was a white rose
And she shone there
In an american dream
Through the rocket red glare
Of an american dream
through the shut blind
The sunshine, in a broken beam
Woke me up
From my american dream
how long have I been sleeping?
How long til I rest in your arms again?
I still look for the girl
Along the shoreline
Of an american dream
The wind on her dress
Waving the bright flag
Of an american dream
The song "American Dream" by Cory Branan is a haunting reflection of the American dream. The song opens with the image of a girl on a shoreline, the embodiment of the dream of freedom and a better life, that was once the foundation of the American ethos. However, this notion of the American dream has been corrupted by the country's history of slavery, racism, and inequality. The lyrics suggest that the American dream is just an illusion, a facade that hides the darkness and despair of reality. The girl's laughter and the white rose symbolize hope, but they are quickly overshadowed by the scream and the broken beam of sunshine. The imagery creates a sense of disillusionment and despair, a feeling that the dream is just out of reach.
The song also touches on the idea of sleep, how long one can sleep, and when they will finally wake up to the reality of the world. This line is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the idea that the American dream is a dream that one cannot escape from. It is a dream that lulls us into a false sense of security, and we are often unaware of the darkness and turmoil that lies beyond it.
In conclusion, "American Dream" is a poignant commentary on the nature of the American dream, how it has been corrupted by history and how it lulls us into a false sense of security. The song paints a picture of disillusionment and despair, a feeling that the dream is just out of reach, and that we are trapped within its confines.
Line by Line Meaning
There was a girl
The song starts with a mention of a certain girl who is a vital part of the American dream that the artist is trying to portray.
There was a shoreline
The story of the American dream is incomplete without its reference to the beach, where everything seems peaceful and just perfect.
Was an american dream
The whole story of this song is tied together with the threads of the American dream, which is the central theme of the song.
Hear her laughing
The girl present in the artist's American dream is joyful, happy, and content in the surroundings of the American dream.
Really feels like
The American dream is so real and pronounced that the artist is convinced it is a tangible reality, which he can feel and touch almost.
An american dream
The idea of the American dream is so compelling and influential that the artist cannot resist mentioning it over and over again in his song.
There was a t.v. turned down
The TV turned down is a symbol of the contrast of the calmness and serenity of the American dream with the chaos and insanity of the external world.
Still I heard a scream
Even with the TV volume down, the artist could hear a distant scream of the outside world, reminding him of the harsh and unforgiving reality of the world outside his American dream.
And I woke up
The scream was so jarring that it takes the artist out of his dreamy state, bringing him back into the hard-hitting reality of the world outside the American dream.
From my american dream
This line represents the idea that no matter how comfortable and peaceful the American dream can be, there's no running away from the harsh reality of the outside world that always catches up to everyone eventually.
how long have I been sleeping?
The artist's question is about how long he has been dreaming of the American dream, losing touch with reality and facing its challenges head-on.
How long til I rest in your arms again?
The artist is longing to come back to the dream world of the American dream, where he was protected and immune from the harsh realities of the modern world.
There was a white rose
The white rose is the symbol of pureness, innocence, and peace, which is a crucial aspect of the American dream.
And she shone there
The rose symbolizes the beauties of the world that shine through the darkness of the world outside the American dream.
Through the rocket red glare
The 'rocket red glare' is a reference to the chaos and destruction of the external world, which starkly contrasts with the beauty and innocence of the rose and the American dream.
Of an american dream
The rose is a poignant and powerful symbol of the American dream and its beauties that the artist experiences.
through the shut blind
The shut blind represents a barrier that separates the artist from the external world, the world beyond the boundaries of the American dream.
The sunshine, in a broken beam
The sunbeam, though broken, still represents hope, warmth, and light that the American dream brings into the artist's life.
Woke me up
The sunbeam acts as a metaphorical wake-up call for the artist, a signal to be aware of the challenging and tough realities outside his American dream.
From my american dream
This line tells us that the artist's life is divided between the American dream and stark reality, between the beauties of the world he experiences in his dream and the world and its harsh realities beyond his dream world.
I still look for the girl
The girl is the artist's representation of the American dream, and he is now actively searching for her to escape back into his dream world.
Along the shoreline
The shoreline is a constant reminder of the American dream, which is part of the artist's identity and inseparable from his life.
Of an american dream
In case the message was unclear before, this line reinforces the importance of the American dream in shaping the artist's memories, hopes, and identity.
The wind on her dress
The wind is the symbol of the unpredictability of life outside the American dream, which can buffett us around like a breeze buffetting a dress of a girl.
Waving the bright flag
The flag represents hope, the future, and all America stands for, a beacon of light and support for the artist in his struggle with the rigors of life outside the American dream.
Of an american dream
The final line of the song is a repetition of the idea that the American dream is a defining force in the artist's life that never leaves him, no matter the challenges or how long he has to go chasing.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Cory Branan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind