Jennings began singing at a young age in a Toledo church choir. He later joined a group called The Dotsons with two of his cousins and his older brother, Jay. The group separated in the early 1990s, and Jennings rediscovered music and started a music program at an Ohio prison where he was serving a ten-year sentence on an arson-related charge. He has cited Erykah Badu's 1997 album Baduizm as one of the reasons for his rediscovery. Jennings was released from prison in December 2002 and started to pursue a solo career in music. In January 2003, he performed in Harlem at the Showtime at The Apollo. The same year, he also independently released his first EP, What Is Love. To further pursue his career, Jennings moved to New York City where he performed at rapper Nelly's concert at Radio City Music Hall, at an NAACP convention where he performed an original song called "Thank God for the NAACP", and at the Cafeteria in Chelsea, Manhattan during the blackout on August 14. He signed with Columbia Records and released his debut album Lyfe 268-192 (268-192 was his inmate number) in August 2004. His first single was Stick Up Kid, which didn't see much sucess until after the album was released. The album featured his hit single "Must Be Nice". Jennings' second album The Phoenix was released in August 2006. The first single, "S.E.X.", feautures Jennings' protégé, singer LaLa Brown.
Keep On Dreaming
Lyfe Jennings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me what you see
Past all the flowers
Beyond the trees
Is it what you wanted?
Your life to be
Or is it what you
Settle for
Is it 'cause they laugh at you
And talk about you too
They talked about Jesus Christ
What makes you think they won't talk about you
No need to worry
You are a star
And you are perfect just the way you are
[Chorus:]
Keep on dreaming
Keep on shining
Keep on grinding
Don't stop trying
Keep on dreaming
Keep on flowing
Keep on growing
Don't stop hoping
Don't stop hoping
(Gone) Walkin' through the graveyard
Shovel in your hand
Rumors on the street are
You just buried a man
And he was really talented
He just didn't get a chance
And now his blood is
On your hand
Maybe you should dig him up
Maybe you should not
Maybe you should stop listening to your friends
And listen to your heart
It's nice to be famous
It's nice to be a star
But it's also nice to be just who you are
[Chorus]
[Bridge:]
People say the craziest things
Craziest things
Twenty-five to life he done murdered his dreams
Murdered his dreams
[Chorus: x2]
Lyfe Jennings's song "Keep on Dreaming" is a motivational anthem that encourages us to keep pursuing our dreams despite the obstacles that may come our way. In the first verse, Jennings asks the listener to look outside their window and assess whether the life they are living is what they truly desire or if they have settled for something less. He suggests that we might be living a subpar life because we're afraid of being ridiculed and doubted by others. However, he reminds us that even Jesus Christ was once talked about negatively, and it's up to us to maintain our self-confidence in the face of criticism.
The second verse tells a story about a man who had a lot of talent but never got the chance to showcase it. The person with the shovel in their hand is rumored to have buried him, creating a sense of morbidity to the narrative. Jennings suggests that we shouldn't let our dreams die like this person's talent did, and we should stop listening to external influences and trust our instincts. He reassures us that it's nice to have fame and be recognized, but more important is being comfortable with ourselves.
In general, "Keep on Dreaming" is a song about perseverance and not letting discouragement get in the way of achieving our goals. We must be willing to keep moving forward, keep growing and keep trying.
Line by Line Meaning
Look outside your window
Take a moment to reflect on your surroundings
Tell me what you see
Describe what you observe
Past all the flowers
Beyond the beauty of life
Beyond the trees
And the obstacles you face
Is it what you wanted?
Does your current situation align with your goals?
Your life to be
The vision you created for yourself
Or is it what you
Have settled for less than you deserved
Settle for
Accepting less than what you aspire to be
Is it 'cause they laugh at you
Are other people's opinions holding you back?
And talk about you too
Are people gossiping about you?
They talked about Jesus Christ
Even the most revered and respected figure had critics
What makes you think they won't talk about you
Retain the confidence that you can achieve greatness, despite the critics
No need to worry
Do not be anxious about what others think of you
You are a star
You possess remarkable qualities and abilities
And you are perfect just the way you are
Do not aim to change your essence to please others
Keep on dreaming
Never lose sight of your dreams
Keep on shining
Continue to radiate positivity and confidence
Keep on grinding
Persist in your efforts to achieve your goals
Don't stop trying
Never give up on your aspirations
Keep on flowing
Maintain your creative energy
Keep on growing
Evolve and develop yourself
Don't stop hoping
Retain faith for the future
Gone Walkin' through the graveyard
Thinking about opportunities that have passed by
Shovel in your hand
Holding onto regrets and seeking closure
Rumors on the street are
People are gossiping about you
You just buried a man
A metaphor for letting go of an aspiration, dream, or vision
And he was really talented
Recognizing the potential of what was lost
He just didn't get a chance
Acknowledging that despite talent, opportunities do not always materialize
And now his blood is
Metaphorically, the consequence of living with regret
On your hand
Acknowledging responsibility and seeking closure
Maybe you should dig him up
Consider revisiting past aspirations, dreams, or visions
Maybe you should not
Alternatively, make peace with the past and move forward
Maybe you should stop listening to your friends
Friends may have different priorities or perspectives on your future
And listen to your heart
Trust your instinct and intuition
It's nice to be famous
Rejoicing in the fruits of success or achievement
It's nice to be a star
Enjoying admiration and recognition
But it's also nice to be just who you are
Not compromising your authenticity or individuality
People say the craziest things
People's opinions and rumors can be outlandish and unhelpful
Craziest things
Without any basis in reality
Twenty-five to life he done murdered his dreams
Metaphorically, the consequences of giving up on one's aspirations
Murdered his dreams
Sacrificed opportunities due to factors such as fear, doubt, or criticism
Chorus x2
Reinforcing the message of perseverance and resilience
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHESTER JERMAIN JENNINGS, LYFE JENNINGS, SUZANNE VEGA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind