Dreamer
K´naan Lyrics

Yeah
Expressing agreement and excitement towards what is about to follow.

Believe it or not
An introductory statement to grab attention.

What kept me alive
Referring to his dreams as a driving force for survival.

Is my dreams
Reiterating the importance of his dreams.

I'm a dreamer
Identifying himself as a person who dreams and aspires towards success.

But I ain't the only one got problems
Acknowledging that others face similar struggles and challenges.

But we love to have fun
Despite the problems, people still seek enjoyment in life.

This is our world
Emphasizing that everyone shares this world and it's important to work together.

From here to your hood
Highlighting that these issues affect people no matter where they live.

We alive man
Celebrating life and survival despite the challenges.

It's OK to feel good
Encouraging people to enjoy the good moments in life.

I got a friend named Flow,
Introducing a character named Flow.

Who got a friend named blow
Referring to another character named Blow.

With a finger named clap
Describing a physical attribute of the character Blow.

That'll leave you on the side like a Kangol hat.
Suggesting that Blow is powerful and can hurt others.

He ain't have no choice he was born this way
Implying that Blow's situation is out of his control.

These streets will pull your number like a phone display
Comparing the unpredictability of life to a phone's random number generation.

You gotta be defensive with your life
Highlighting the importance of protecting oneself in difficult situations.

You gotta be like Bush and take Pre-emptive strikes
Suggesting that sometimes aggressive action needs to be taken for survival.

And the boys from the hood are always hard
Referring to the tough nature of people who come from difficult neighborhoods.

Let alone in Mogadishu it's a mastered art
Implying that surviving in a place like Mogadishu takes even greater toughness.

If you bring the words hood to a seminar
Suggesting that people who come from difficult neighborhoods have unique experiences and perspectives.

We from the only place worse then Kandahar,
Comparing their neighborhood to Kandahar, a war-torn city in Afghanistan.

Now that's kinda hard
Acknowledging the difficulty of their situation.

But we still like to party and hardy har
Despite the challenges, people still find ways to enjoy life and have fun.

Something good happens we say Mashalla
This is an Arabic phrase used to express gratitude and appreciation for blessings.

Something bad happens Kay Sara Sara
This is a saying used to suggest that you can't control everything, so don't worry about things beyond your power.

I close my eyes and all I can see is you dancing with me
Referring to a positive memory that brings happiness to the artist.

What would it take for a boy about my age to hear cheers in his head upon that stage
Asking what it would take for a young boy to achieve success and recognition for his talents.

And the cheers that would drowned out the tears from my brown eyes
Suggesting that applause and success would bring joy and overcome sadness.

Come on back stage you see the screams ain't the screams from gun shot streams
Reassuring that the screams heard backstage are not from dangerous gunfire, but instead from excitement and success.

In my dreams these screams are from hot teens
Dreaming of enthusiastic fans showing adoration and support.

And I'm barely thirteen but I pack dirty, a Russian fire arm that shoots thirty
Describing a young child who carries a powerful, dangerous weapon for protection or survival.

Just then I hear the bus engine I'm transcending I'm crowd surfing I can't see the time burning I'm not hurting with my mahogany pen.
Describing a moment of excitement and ecstasy, where the artist feels alive and invincible.

I'm on a world tour with Mohammad and them.
Dreaming of success and adventure with a group of inspiring people.

And we be over sees and not in these trees where my peeps stay alive like the Bee gees
Describing a desire to leave behind the hardship and danger in their home neighborhood for success and safety elsewhere.

And the likes of JZ would save my steeze and singing handily brought Hip-Hop peace
Referencing Jay-Z as an inspiration and suggesting that music brings people together.

Sometimes we just like to have fun,
Reiterating that despite the hardships, it's important to have joy and fun in life.

Man we like to forget all the fighting
Describing the desire to escape from violence and conflict.

All the guns and the tires burning,
Referring to the chaos and danger in their neighborhood.

Imagine crack was in birth
Suggesting that drug addiction is destructive from the moment it begins.

Imagine the earth wasn't hurt
Dreaming of a world without environmental destruction.

Imagine no homeland alerts
Fantasizing about a world without danger and war.

Imagine no record locater so I wouldn't have to get a criminal waiver
Describing the difficulties that come with having a criminal record and the desire for a second chance.

Imagine if peace wasn't in my briefs
Suggesting that peace is not a priority, but rather something that's inconvenient or impossible.

Instead peace could stretch across the seas
Dreaming of a world where peace is possible and widespread.

So finally we could just rest and in easy no refugees
Dreaming of a world where people don't have to flee from danger and persecution.

And you, well you could dress in a book
Imagining someone beautifully dressed as a representation of knowledge.

And I can read your body in less then a look
Describing an intimate connection where the singer can understand someone without words.

I got a dream girl in my mind and that the hook,
Referencing a potential romantic interest.

An intellectually, sexual and still can cook
Describing the ideal qualities of a romantic partner for the singer.

Yeah, and I feel good right now
Acknowledging the feeling of happiness in the present moment.

I feel good right here
Emphasizing the current feeling of contentment and joy.

You feel good?
Asking the listener if they also feel good in this present moment.

We not down and out, just cause times are hard
Expressing resilience despite the challenges faced.

Yeah shout out to the struggeler's,
Showing support and appreciation for those who are struggling.

In my country, hardest place on earth
Referring to the artist's home country as a place of struggle and difficulty.

But still
Despite the hardship, there is still hope and a will to persevere.

I still know how to get down,
Asserting that the singer still knows how to enjoy life despite the struggles.

I still know how to vibe out,
Reiterating the importance of joy and relaxation.

I still know how to talk to a pretty girl.
Acknowledging the continuing ability to find happiness and connection even in difficult times.

Take it easy now.
Ending the song with a message of calmness and relaxation, suggesting that everything will be alright.