Family
Dreamgirls [Music from the Motion Picture] Lyrics


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What about what I need?
Curtis says it's the best thing for the group.
What about whats best for me?
He feels the Dreams can cross over.
What about how I feel?
But when we're famous, I'll write great things for you. Effie do it for me.
What about me?
What about me?

It's more than you
It is more than me
No matter what we are
We are a family

This dream is for all of us
This one can be real
And you can't stop us now
Because of how you feel

It's more than you
It is more than me
Whatever dreams we have
They're for the family

We're not alone anymore
Now there are others there
And that dream's big enough
For all of us to share

So don't think that you're going
You're not going anywhere
You're staying and taking your share
And if you get afraid again, I'll be there

We are a family
Like a giant tree
Branching out towards the sky
We are a family
We are so much more
Than just you and I

We are a family
Like a giant tree
Growing stronger, growing wiser
We are growing free





We need you
We are a family

Overall Meaning

The song "Family" from the musical Dreamgirls is an emotionally charged ballad that emphasizes the theme of unity and belongingness. The song is performed by Effie White, Deena Jones, and Lorrell Robinson, who are members of the female music group called "The Dreams." Effie White's solos showcase her frustration with how her groupmates and manager, Curtis Taylor Jr, have treated her. The lyrics convey the message that even if the group is already becoming famous, Effie's individual feelings and aspirations should also matter.


Effie raises questions about her role in the group and her manager's expectations. Curtis's focus is on what's best for the group, even if it means sacrificing Effie's needs. However, Effie believes that she has to be a priority, too. The lyrics "What about what I need? What about what's best for me? What about how I feel? What about me?" express her disappointment and loneliness. Despite their differences, the group comes together in the chorus and unites as a family. The song ends with a powerful message that the group needs Effie and that they are all in this together, that they are stronger as a group than as individuals.


Line by Line Meaning

What about what I need?
The singer questions about their own needs in a situation.


Curtis says it's the best thing for the group.
Curtis claims that a particular thing is best for the group.


What about what's best for me?
The singer asks about what's best for them individually.


He feels the Dreams can cross over.
Curtis believes that the Dreams can reach new audiences.


What about how I feel?
The artist is concerned about their feelings in a given situation.


But when we're famous, I'll write great things for you. Effie do it for me.
Curtis promises to write great songs for the singer in the future, but he wants Effie to do it for him.


What about me?
The singer reiterates their concerns about their own needs.


It's more than you
The situation is bigger than just one person.


It is more than me
The situation is bigger than just the individual speaker.


No matter what we are
Regardless of our individual identities and differences.


We are a family
We are a group that cares for and supports each other.


This dream is for all of us
The dream is not just for one person, but for the entire group.


This one can be real
The dream is achievable and can come true.


And you can't stop us now
Nothing can prevent us from achieving our dream.


Because of how you feel
One person's feelings are not enough to stop the entire group from achieving their dream.


Whatever dreams we have
All of our dreams are important and achievable with the support of the group.


They're for the family
Our dreams are not just for ourselves, but for the entire family.


We're not alone anymore
Being part of the family means we are no longer alone in pursuing our dreams.


Now there are others there
Now there are other family members who support and encourage us.


And that dream's big enough
Our dream is so big that it cannot be achieved by just one person.


For all of us to share
Our dream is something that we can share and work towards as a family.


So don't think that you're going
Don't think you can leave the family or give up on the dream.


You're not going anywhere
You're a part of the family and we need you.


You're staying and taking your share
You're staying to help achieve our dream and take responsibility for your part in it.


And if you get afraid again, I'll be there
The family will be there to support and encourage the individual during moments of fear and uncertainty.


Like a giant tree
The family is like a large, strong, and supportive tree with deep roots.


Branching out towards the sky
The family and their dream are reaching for something bigger and greater.


We are so much more than just you and I
Together, as a family, we are greater than just what we are individually.


Growing free
The family is growing and evolving, and their dream is becoming a reality.


We need you
The family needs each individual member in order to achieve their dream.




Contributed by Ella H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@mknation7178

What about what I need?
Curtis says its the best thing for the group.
What about whats best for me?
He feels the Dreams can crossover.
What about how I feel?
But when we're famous I'll write great things for ya,
Effie do it for me.
What about me?
What about me?
It's more than you, it is more than me
No matter what we are, we are a family
This dream is for all of us, this one can be real,
And you cant stop us now because of how you feel
It's more than you,
It is more than me
Whatever dreams we have, there for the family,
We're not alone anymore now there are others there,
And that dreams big enough for all of us to share,
So don't think that your going,
You're not going anywhere, your staying and taking your share, and if
You get afraid again, I'll be there
We are a family like a giant tree branching out towards the sky, we are a family we
Are so much more than just you and I we are a family like a giant tree,
Growing stronger, growing wiser, we are growing free
We need you.
We are a family



@user-sh3zz2vg3v

what about what i needย 
(curtis says it's the best things for group)ย 
what about whats best for meย 
(he feels the dreams can crossover)ย 
what about how i feelย 
(but when we're famous i'll write great things for ya,ย 
effie do it for me)ย 
what about meย 
what about meย 

it's more than you, it is more than meย 
no matter what we are, we are a familyย 
this dream is for all of us, this one can be realย 
and you cant stop us now because of how you feel..ย 
it's more than you, it is more than meย 
whatever dreams we have, there for the familyย 
we're not alone anymore now there are others there,ย 
and that dreams big enough for all of us to share,ย 
so dont think that your going,ย 
your not going anywhere, your staying and taking your share,ย 
and if you get afraid again, i'll be there...ย 
we are a family like a giant tree branching out toward the sky,ย 
we are a family we are so much more than just you and iย 
we are a family like a giant tree,ย 
growing stronger, growing wiser, we are growing free..ย 
we need you.. we are a family



All comments from YouTube:

@asiagraham1505

"And if you get afraid again I'll be there" BUT YOU WASN'T CECE...Curtis was supposed to love me headass

@TeamBreezyy98

Asia Graham ๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿคฃ

@dmathis3357

๐Ÿ˜ญ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜ญ

@edgarcarrera6062

HAHAHAHAHA I CANโ€™T ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

@kaimilano4546

LOOOL PERIOD

@deloresgable3736

FAX DOE๐Ÿคš๐Ÿพ๐Ÿ˜‚

4 More Replies...

@littlemixfanpromo1270

2020 anyone this is such an underrated song from the best musical of all time

@Luxey__X

Agreed

@imaninocentperson4853

Youtube addiction

@CClarke

Yup.

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