In My Dreams
Crosby Stills Nash & Young Lyrics

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I know that you're gone
And you ain't with me
I know you're better off
I see it in my dreams

I see that you moved on
And girl it hurts me
My life's where you belong

And girl I'm sorry
I'm sorry for what I've done

Now the candle light is out again
Never meant to hurt you in the end
I need you in my life for my heart to mend
But it's strange how my messages won't send

You and me both know
That I tend to drown in sorrow

I don't wanna see tomorrow
If your heart won't let me follow

Overall Meaning

The song In My Dreams by Crosby Stills Nash & Young seems to be about longing for something that cannot be attained. There's a certain sense of nostalgia and a lot of dream-like imagery in the lyrics. The first verse is about watching dancers glide effortlessly around each other, never touching the ground. The person singing is envious of the connection they seem to have with each other, and wishes to experience it themselves.

The second verse is addressed to someone the singer wants to meet. They are hoping to connect on a deeper level, but they don't know who this person is or how to find them. The lyrics also suggest that the person they're addressing might not even exist, as they talk about seeing two or three people fading in and out like a radio station.

The final verse repeats the phrase "In my dreams" several times, emphasizing the surreal and wistful quality of the song. It suggests that the singer is imaging a love that could be, but that they cannot have in reality. Overall, the song captures the sense of yearning and longing that is common to dreams and fantasies.

Line by Line Meaning

Look at those dancers gliding around
Observing the fluid movements of the dancers.

Seems if their feet
Their feet appear to

Don't hardly touch the ground
barely touch the ground at all.

Look at them smiling
Noticing the joyous expressions on their faces.

Like they knew one another
It seems as if they are all familiar with each other.

And they never would come down
The feeling of elation is so great, they never want it to end.

Turn around and hold me
Asking someone to turn around and embrace them.

I'd like to see your face alone
Expresses the desire to be alone with someone and bask in their presence.

I'm hoping there's someone home
Hoping that the person they desire is open to being with them.

I'd like to meet you
Expressing the desire to meet someone new.

Who do you see?
Inquiring about the person's interests and influences.

Introduce yourself to whichever of me is nearby
Asking the person to introduce themselves to whichever part of them is available at the moment.

Close behind your eyes you're laughing at me
Feeling as though the person they desire is mocking them.

And I'm stuck here with no instructions that I can see
Feeling helpless and unsure of what to do or how to proceed in the situation.

Stick around it's tricky ground
Addressing the challenges they are facing in the situation.

Two or three people fading in and out
Feeling unsure of who they are and who the people around them are.

Like a radio station that I'm thinking about
Describing the situation as being similar to the static of a radio station, where things are unclear and undefined.

But I can't hear
Feeling as though they cannot fully comprehend or understand the situation.

Who gets breakfast? Who gets the lunch?
Questioning the power dynamics and hierarchy within their situation.

Who gets to be the boss of this bunch?
Questioning who holds the most power and influence.

Who will steer?
Questioning who will take charge and lead them.

Turning, turning
Describing the act of turning around to face someone.

To see your face alone
Expresses the desire to be alone with someone and bask in their presence.

Dream
The act of dreaming.

Do you dream
Asking if the person also dreams.

Dreaming
The act of dreaming.

Do you?
Asking if the person also dreams.

In my dreams
Describing what the person sees in their dreams.

I can see, I can
Expressing that they see something clearly in their dreams.