A Dream
Jay-Z ft. Faith Evans & The Notorious B.I.G. Lyrics

Uhh uhh uhh
Opening sounds to the song

It was all a dream
The song is about a dream that Jay-Z had

Last night I had a dream
Jay-Z is introducing the dream he had

Thoughts was racin' through my head
Jay-Z was thinking a lot during his dream

(It was all a dream)
Reiterating that the whole song is about a dream

Felt so real to me
The dream felt very realistic to Jay-Z

This is what was said
Jay-Z is beginning to recount the conversation that took place in his dream

"Had a dream", I said, "'Bout who?", he said
Jay-Z was talking to someone (presumably the Notorious B.I.G.) in his dream about his dream

"'Bout B.I.G.", I said, "That's big", he said
Jay-Z and B.I.G. were talking about B.I.G. himself in Jay-Z's dream

"Dig what", he said, "Proceed" he said
B.I.G. is telling Jay-Z to continue with the conversation

"Indeed", I said, so, breathe I did
Jay-Z agrees and takes a breath to continue talking

"Don't repeat what I say", I said, he said nothin'
Jay-Z is paranoid about repeating what B.I.G. is saying

He agreed with his head, he just nodded like this
B.I.G. agreed silently with Jay-Z

What I believe to be a yes I repeated what was said
Jay-Z took B.I.G.'s silence as an agreement and repeated what he said

It came to me like a, well, as even I said
Jay-Z is unsure of how to describe how he heard B.I.G.'s words

"You feel playboy", was the greeting he said
B.I.G. starts the conversation by addressing Jay-Z as playboy

First thing I wanted to know, what's the reason he was dead?
Jay-Z is curious about how B.I.G. died

"More money, more problems, better believe it", he said
B.I.G. tells Jay-Z that his death was related to the problems that come with fame and fortune

"Careful what you wish for you might receive it", he said
B.I.G. warns Jay-Z to be careful what he wishes for, as he might get it and regret it

"I see", I said, "Jealousy", I said
Jay-Z understands that jealousy played a role in B.I.G.'s death

"Got the whole industry mad at me", I said
Jay-Z feels like the industry is against him like they were against B.I.G.

Then B.I. said, "Hov' remind yourself
B.I.G. calls Jay-Z by his nickname Hov'

Nobody built like you, you designed yourself"
B.I.G. tells Jay-Z that he's unique and has created his own success

"I agree", I said, "My one of a kind self
Jay-Z agrees that he's one of a kind

Get stoned every day like Jesus did"
Jay-Z is making a biblical reference, saying he smokes weed daily like Jesus did

"What he said", I said, "Has been said before"
Jay-Z agrees with what B.I.G. said, but notes that it's not a new idea

"Just keep doin' your thing", he said, "Say no more"
B.I.G. encourages Jay-Z to keep doing what he's doing

Was it all a dream
Jay-Z repeats the title of the song

(Tell me)
Asking the listener for input

It was all a dream
Again, repeating the title of the song

(Was it a dream)
Reiterating that the song is about a dream

It was all a dream
Repeated again, emphasizing the dream-like quality of the song

(I gotta know)
Jay-Z again asks the listener for input, expressing curiosity about the dream he had

Was it all a dream
The last repetition of the title for the song

(A dream)
Ending the song with a reference to the dream

It was all a dream, I used to read Word Up magazine
Jay-Z is beginning to describe his past

Salt 'n' Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine
Jay-Z recalls famous musicians from his past

Hangin' pictures on my wall
Jay-Z remembers decorating his room as a kid

Every Saturday, "Rap Attack", Mr. Magic, Marley Marl
Jay-Z reminisces about listening to his favorite radio show as a child

I let my tape rock 'til my tape popped
Jay-Z would listen to his tapes until they wouldn't play anymore

Smokin' weed and bamboo, sippin' on private stock
Jay-Z recalls getting high and drinking expensive alcohol

Way back, when I had the red and black lumberjack
Jay-Z remembers a specific outfit he used to wear

With the hat to match
The hat that went with the lumberjack outfit

Remember Rappin' Duke? 'Duh-ha, duh-ha'
Jay-Z recalls a specific rap song

You never thought that hip-hop would take it this far
Jay-Z reflects on how far hip-hop has come

Now I'm in the limelight 'cause I rhyme tight
Jay-Z is now famous for his music

Time to get paid, blow up like the
Jay-Z is referencing his career success

Born sinner, the opposite of a winner
Jay-Z acknowledges his past mistakes, but notes that he's now successful

Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner
Jay-Z is recalling a time when he was poor and couldn't afford better food

Peace to Ron G, Brucey be, Kid Capri
Jay-Z is giving shouts out to his favorite DJs

Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starsky
More DJs that Jay-Z likes

I'm blowin' up like you thought I would
Jay-Z has become a successful artist, as others predicted he would

Call the crib, same number same hood, it's all good
Jay-Z is still living in the same place, with the same phone number, and everything is good

Uhh, and if you don't know, now you know, nigga
Jay-Z is letting people know that he's become a success, if they didn't already know

It was all a dream
The final repetition of the title for the song

It was all
The repetition of the beginning of the title

It was all a dream
The final line of the song, ending it on the same note as it began

It was all a dream
A final, whispered repetition of the title