The Dream
Irene Cara Lyrics


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I've been chasing dreams for so long
Just one step behind and then they're gone
Illusions of love would come and go
I guess you have to hurt before you grow
And everybody knows
Never let go of the, never let go of the dream

I always seem to lose what I thought was mine
And many times I tried to leave it behind
Deep inside, hope was still alive
Deep inside, dreams will never die
That is why we're movin' closer to the truth

It's really great for me to be here
I've won over the pain and the fear
It's been so very hard through the years
Been looking through a rainbow of tears
And still I never really let go of the dream

Sometimes I saw my life just falling apart
And all the rejection tearing at my heart
Deep inside, hope was still alive
Deep inside, dreams will never die
If you try there'll be so much more for you

It's really great for me to be here
I've won over the pain and the fear
It's been so very hard through the years
Been looking through a rainbow of tears
And still I never really let go of the dream

We can all be free, we hold the key
If we can see what we wanna be




Life's never easy, you get no guarantees
Why not give your all and see what you can find?

Overall Meaning

The song “The Dream” sung by Irene Cara is an inspiring song about never letting go of our dreams. The lyrics speak volumes about the difficulties and challenges faced while pursuing our aspirations. The opening lines say it all, “I’ve been chasing dreams for so long, just one step behind and then they’re gone, illusions of love would come and go, I guess you have to hurt before you grow”. The lyrics portray the journey of chasing dreams is full of stumbles and setbacks, but it’s important to persevere and never let go of the dream.


In the middle of the song, the lyrics touch on the fact that people do face rejection and difficulties in life. “Sometimes I saw my life just falling apart, and all the rejection tearing at my heart…” But later, the song brings back a positive message that, despite the difficulties, hope is still alive and dreams will never die. The song encourages us to move closer to the truth, to be brave and to never give up on the dream.


In the end, the song motivates us to hold the key to a life of freedom with unlimited exploration, which can be achieved when we give our all to pursue and see the vision of our dreams. The song encourages people to be optimistic and to see life from a perspective that is open to change, to give it all, and see what one can find. “Life’s never easy, you get no guarantees, why not give your all and see what you can find?”


Line by Line Meaning

I've been chasing dreams for so long
I have been pursuing my aspirations for a long time


Just one step behind and then they're gone
I am always close to success and then it slips away


Illusions of love would come and go
My romantic relationships were not always what they seemed


I guess you have to hurt before you grow
Pain is a catalyst for personal development


And everybody knows
It is a widely recognized fact


Never let go of the, never let go of the dream
Do not abandon your aspirations


I always seem to lose what I thought was mine
I frequently experience disappointment and loss


And many times I tried to leave it behind
I attempted to move on from my past struggles


Deep inside, hope was still alive
Despite my setbacks, I still had optimism


Deep inside, dreams will never die
My aspirations will persist


That is why we're movin' closer to the truth
This is why we are progressing towards a more authentic life


It's really great for me to be here
I am happy to be in this positive situation


I've won over the pain and the fear
I have overcome my emotional distress


It's been so very hard through the years
The past has been incredibly difficult for me


Been looking through a rainbow of tears
I have shed many tears over the years


And still I never really let go of the dream
Nevertheless, I persisted with my ambitions


Sometimes I saw my life just falling apart
I felt like my life was collapsing at times


And all the rejection tearing at my heart
Rejection has taken a toll on my emotional well-being


If you try there'll be so much more for you
Putting in effort leads to greater reward


We can all be free, we hold the key
We have the power to liberate ourselves


If we can see what we wanna be
By envisioning our desired future, we can make it a reality


Life's never easy, you get no guarantees
Life is inherently difficult and unpredictable


Why not give your all and see what you can find?
Why not put forth your best effort and discover what is possible?




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Foxtrot Alpha

I've been chasing dreams for so long
Just one step behind and then they're gone
Illusions of love would come and go
I guess you have to hurt before you grow
And everybody knows
Never let go of the, never let go of the dream

I always seem to lose what I thought was mine
And many times I tried to leave it behind
Deep inside, hope was still alive
Deep inside, dreams will never die
That is why we're movin' closer to the truth

It's really great for me to be here
I've won over the pain and the fear
It's been so very hard through the years
Been looking through a rainbow of tears
And still I never really let go of the dream

Sometimes I saw my life just falling apart
And all the rejection tearing at my heart
Deep inside, hope was still alive
Deep inside, dreams will never die
If you try there'll be so much more for you

It's really great for me to be here
I've won over the pain and the fear
It's been so very hard through the years
Been looking through a rainbow of tears
And still I never really let go of the dream

We can all be free, we hold the key
If we can see what we want to be
Life's never easy, you get no guarantees
Why not give your all and see what you can find?



Abe G. Santini

The Dream (Hold on to Your Dream)
Irene Cara

I've been chasing dreams for so long
Just one step behind and then they're gone
Illusions of love would come and go
I guess you have to hurt before you grow
And everybody knows

Never let go of the, never let go of the dream

I always seem to lose what I thought was mine
And many times I tried to leave it behind
Deep inside, hope was still alive
Deep inside, dreams will never die
That is why we're movin' closer to the truth

It's really great for me to be here
I've won over the pain and the fear
It's been so very hard through the years
Been looking through a rainbow of tears
And still I never really let go of the dream

Sometimes I saw my life just falling apart
And all the rejection tearing at my heart
Deep inside, hope was still alive
Deep inside, dreams will never die
If you try there will be so much more for you

It's really great for me to be here
I've won over the pain and the fear
It's been so very hard through the years
Been looking through a rainbow of tears
And still I never really let go of the dream

We can all be free, we hold the key
If we could see what we wanna be
Life is never easy you get no guarantee
When I give you own
and see what you can buy

It's really great for me to be here
I've won over the pain and the fear
It's been so very hard through the years
Been looking through a rainbow of tears
And still I never really let go of the dream

It's really great for me to be here
I've won over the pain and the fear
It's been so very hard through the years
Been looking through a rainbow of tears
And still I never really let go of the dream

It's really great for me to be here
I've won over the pain and the fear
It's been so very hard through the years
Been looking through a rainbow of tears
And still I never really let go of the dream



All comments from YouTube:

Balentine Carmen

❤🙏🏾Thank you for bringing many smiles and much joyful music into my life. Rest in Power, Irene. We’ll always remember your name.”

Archie Amerson

Irene Cara was one of the most talented human beings ever put her run from 80 to 84 up against anybody. She was a phenomenon we look at a lot of stars who stayed in the spotlight but at her best she was as good as it gets movies singing and just one of the most beautiful people to ever live.

Vashiona Moore

SIP IRENE CARA. Thank you for all the great movies! You Blessed us with your talent and it will live on forever!!!

DAVID VALE

Great song so underrated
RIP Irene Cara

Raine Ann

Very sad news to hear that Irene Cara passed and at such a young age of 63. Time goes by so quickly. It seems like only yesterday, early 80's, when I first heard your songs and lovely voice. Thank you for the inspirational music. Rest in God's eternal love and peace forever!💖🙏🕊💖

jackpipes

Dude this song is so brilliant. It plays at the end of DC Cab and the emotion freaks me out. It's that heavy. Sometimes it's overwhelming to listen to an awesome song that's all about following your dreams. It kills you and inspires you at the same time. I want to live this song.

Alejandro Longopas

I feel the same! On few and magical occasions, good music is synchronized with our highest feelings.

Ex Democrat

@quest2k Irene & Tyrone are together again.

quest2k

Agreed. This song fit perfectly at the end of the movie. It really made you feel the joy of the characters were experiencing at the parade

Travis Douglass

The vibe at the parade at the end of the movie seemed so genuine too. Really wanted to be there. Song was so fitting!

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