A Dream
Jay-z Ft. Faith Evans Lyrics
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Last night I had a dream
Thoughts was racing through my head
It was all a dream
Felt so real to me
This is what was said
"Had a dream," I said, "'Bout who he said?"
"Dig what he said", "Proceed," he said
"Indeed," I said, so, breathe I did
"Don't repeat what I say," I said, he said nothing
He agreed with his head, he just nodded like this
What I believe to be a yes I repeated what was said
"It came to me like a whisper last evening," I said
"What's the deal playboy?" was the greeting he said
First thing I wanted to know, what's the reason he was dead
"Mo' Money, Mo' Problems, better believe it," he said
"Careful what you wish for you might receive it," he said
"I see," I said, "jealousy," I said
"Got the whole industry mad at me," I said
Then B.I. said, "Hov' remind yourself
Nobody built like you, you designed yourself"
"I agree," I said, "My one of a kind self"
Get stoned every day like Jesus did
"What he said," I said, has been said before
"Just keep doing your thing," he said, say no more
Was it all a dream
Was it all a dream, was it all a dream
Was it all a dream
Was it all a dream, was it all a dream
It was all a dream, I used to read Word Up! magazine
Salt'n'Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine
Hanging pictures on my wall
Every Saturday, "Rap Attack," Mr. Magic, Marley Marl
I let my tape rock 'til my tape popped
Smokin' weed and bamboo, sippin' on private stock
Way back, when I had the red and black lumberjack
With the hat to match
Remember Rappin' Duke? "Duh-ha, duh-ha"
You never thought that hip-hop would take it this far
Now I'm in the limelight 'cause I rhyme tight
Time to get paid, blow up like the
Born sinner, the opposite of a winner
Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner
Peace to Ron G, Brucey bB, Kid Capri
Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starsky
I'm blowin' up like you thought I would
Call the crib, same number same hood, it's all good
Uh, and if you don't know, now you know, nigga
Was it all a dream
Was it all a dream, was it all a dream
Was it all a dream (was it a dream)
Was it all a dream, was it all a dream
(It was all a dream)
(It was all)
(It was all, a dream)
(It was all a dream)
(It was all, a dream)
(It was all)
"I see," I said, "jealousy," I said
"Got the whole industry mad at me," I said
Then B.I. said, "Hov' remind yourself
Nobody built like you, you designed yourself"
"I agree," I said, "My one of a kind self"
Get stoned every day like Jesus did
"What he said," I said, has been said before
"Just keep doing your thing," he said, say no more
The song "A Dream" is a collaboration between Jay-Z and Faith Evans that was released in 2002. The song is a tribute to The Notorious B.I.G., aka Biggie Smalls, who was one of Jay-Z's close friends and biggest influences before his untimely death.
The lyrics of the song are split into two parts, with the first part being a dream where B.I.G. appears and gives Jay-Z some advice about life and the music industry. B.I.G. tells Jay-Z that he needs to be careful what he wishes for because he might just get it, and that he should stick to being himself because nobody is built like him. The second part of the song is a reminisce about Jay-Z's own life as a young hip hop fan, including everything from reading Word Up! magazine to hanging pictures on his wall to eating sardines for dinner.
The song is full of references to hip hop history, from Salt-N-Pepa to Mr. Magic to Kid Capri. The overall message of the song is that even though the life of a hip hop superstar may seem glamorous and larger-than-life, it's important to stay true to oneself and not let the industry change who you are as a person.
Line by Line Meaning
It was all a dream
Jay-Z reflects on a dream that he had recently.
Last night I had a dream
Jay-Z reflects on a dream he had the night before.
Thoughts was racing through my head
Jay-Z's mind was running wild with ideas during his dream.
It was all a dream
Reiterating that the entire experience was just a dream.
Felt so real to me
Even though it was just a dream, Jay-Z experienced it in a vivid and realistic way.
This is what was said
Jay-Z is about to recount a conversation that took place during his dream.
"Had a dream," I said, "'Bout who he said?"
Jay-Z wonders who the person in his dream was talking about.
"'Bout B.I.G.," I said, "That's big he said"
Jay-Z realizes that the person in his dream was referring to the late Notorious B.I.G.
"Dig what he said", "Proceed," he said
Jay-Z is instructed to pay attention and continue with the conversation.
"Indeed," I said, so, breathe I did
Jay-Z takes a deep breath and prepares to hear more.
"Don't repeat what I say," I said, he said nothing
The person in Jay-Z's dream warns him to keep quiet about what he's about to hear.
He agreed with his head, he just nodded like this
The person in Jay-Z's dream silently acknowledges their agreement.
What I believe to be a yes I repeated what was said
Jay-Z confirms his belief that the person in his dream agreed with him.
"It came to me like a whisper last evening," I said
Jay-Z recounts how the conversation began in his dream.
"What's the deal playboy?" was the greeting he said
The person in Jay-Z's dream starts off their conversation with a casual greeting.
First thing I wanted to know, what's the reason he was dead
Jay-Z expresses his curiosity about why Notorious B.I.G. passed away.
"Mo' Money, Mo' Problems, better believe it," he said
The person in Jay-Z's dream explains that success and wealth come with their own set of issues.
"Careful what you wish for you might receive it," he said
The person in Jay-Z's dream advises him to be careful with what he strives for.
"I see," I said, "jealousy," I said
Jay-Z recognizes that jealousy may be the root of his problems.
"Got the whole industry mad at me," I said
Jay-Z acknowledges that he's not well-liked in the music industry.
Then B.I. said, "Hov' remind yourself
Notorious B.I.G. gives Jay-Z some advice.
Nobody built like you, you designed yourself"
Notorious B.I.G. tells Jay-Z that he's unique and one-of-a-kind.
"I agree," I said, "My one of a kind self"
Jay-Z acknowledges that he's a unique individual.
Get stoned every day like Jesus did
Jay-Z refers to smoking marijuana on a regular basis.
"What he said," I said, has been said before
Jay-Z acknowledges that Notorious B.I.G.'s advice has been echoed before.
"Just keep doing your thing," he said, say no more
Notorious B.I.G. gives Jay-Z the encouragement and motivation to continue doing what he's doing.
Was it all a dream
The chorus is repeated, reminding the listener that it's all just a dream.
I used to read Word Up! magazine
Jay-Z reminisces about his love for hip-hop magazines growing up.
Salt'n'Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine
Jay-Z references some popular hip-hop artists from the 80s and 90s.
Hanging pictures on my wall
Jay-Z recalls decorating his room with posters of his favorite artists.
Every Saturday, "Rap Attack," Mr. Magic, Marley Marl
Jay-Z remembers listening to some popular hip-hop shows on the radio.
I let my tape rock 'til my tape popped
Jay-Z recalls listening to music so loudly that his cassette tapes would break.
Smokin' weed and bamboo, sippin' on private stock
Jay-Z reminisces about getting high and drinking expensive liquor.
Way back, when I had the red and black lumberjack, with the hat to match
Jay-Z recalls a popular outfit that he used to wear.
Remember Rappin' Duke? "Duh-ha, duh-ha"
Jay-Z recalls a popular hip-hop song from the 80s.
You never thought that hip-hop would take it this far
Jay-Z reflects on the success and mainstream popularity of hip-hop music.
Now I'm in the limelight 'cause I rhyme tight
Jay-Z acknowledges his success and fame as a rapper.
Time to get paid, blow up like the World Trade
Jay-Z references the 9/11 terror attacks in relation to his own financial success.
Born sinner, the opposite of a winner
Jay-Z reflects on his upbringing and struggles before achieving success.
Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner
Jay-Z references the poverty he experienced growing up.
Peace to Ron G, Brucey B, Kid Capri
Jay-Z gives shoutouts to some popular DJs from his era.
Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starsky
Jay-Z gives shoutouts to more popular DJs.
I'm blowin' up like you thought I would
Jay-Z acknowledges that he's achieving the success people predicted for him.
Call the crib, same number, same hood, it's all good
Jay-Z reflects on his humble beginnings and the fact that he's still the same despite his success.
Uh, and if you don't know, now you know, nigga
Jay-Z ends the song by referencing Notorious B.I.G.'s line from a popular song and letting people know that he's here to stay.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, MTUME MUSIC PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Cloud9
Written by: Christopher Wallace, James Mtume, Jean Claude Olivier, Sean Puffy Combs, Shawn Carter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind