Dreams So Real
Metric Lyrics
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Seems like nothing I said
Ever meant anything
But a headline over my head
Thought I made a stand
Only made a scene
There's no feast for the underfed
All the unknown, dying or dead
They stand at the end of my bed
Have I ever really helped anybody but myself,
To believe in the power of songs
To believe in the power of girls
Though the point we're making is gone
Played stripped down to my bone
I'll shut up and carry on
The scream becomes a yawn
I'll shut up and carry on
The scream becomes a yawn
I'll shut up and carry on
The scream becomes a yawn
I'll shut up and carry on
The scream becomes a yawn
I'll shut up and carry on
The scream becomes a yawn
I'll shut up and carry on
The scream becomes a yawn
Our parents, daughters, and sons
Believed in the power of songs
What if those days are gone
My memory is strong
Anyone not dying is dead
And baby it won't be long
So shut up and carry on
The scream becomes a yawn
I'll shut up and carry on
The scream becomes a yawn
I'll shut up and carry on
The scream becomes a yawn
I'll shut up and carry on
The scream becomes a yawn
I'll shut up and carry on
The scream becomes a yawn
Baby wherever you are, baby whatever you do
Faster than you think, time staggers on
In "Dreams So Real," Emily Haines of Metric questions her own impact and the effectiveness of her art, while also paying homage to the power of music and uplifting women. The opening lines describe feelings of failure and insignificance despite her attempts to create change: "When I get to the bottom of it, I sink / Seems like nothing I said / Ever meant anything / But a headline over my head." Despite this, she continues to find hope in the "unknown, dying or dead" that "keep showing up in [her] dreams," representing the possibility of unseen impact and the importance of perseverance.
Haines acknowledges that her message may no longer be clear, but reaffirms the value of music and female empowerment that she believes in: "Though the point we're making is gone / Played stripped down to my bone ... / To believe in the power of songs / To believe in the power of girls." The repetition of the phrase "shut up and carry on" serves as both a mantra for herself to keep creating and an affirmation for listeners to do the same. The final lines are a call to action, as she acknowledges the fleeting nature of time and urges the audience to seize opportunities to make change: "Baby wherever you are, baby whatever you do / Faster than you think, time staggers on."
Overall, "Dreams So Real" is a poignant reflection on artistic impact and personal responsibility, underscored by a powerful message of perseverance and hope.
Line by Line Meaning
When I get to the bottom of it, I sink
Every time I try to figure things out, I feel like I'm drowning.
Seems like nothing I said
My words have lost their meaning, like they never had any significance.
Ever meant anything
They did not have any effect before, and they still don't.
But a headline over my head
It is like I am just a news piece; my words are reduced to catchy phrases.
Thought I made a stand
I believed I took a courageous stand!
Only made a scene
But I became a nuisance, just making things worse; my actions came to nothing.
There's no feast for the underfed
The life of those without power or resources has no respite or pleasure.
All the unknown, dying or dead
I dream about people who lived in obscurity, people living in agony or those who have gone.
Keep showing up in my dreams
They are vividly living in my subconsciousness, refusing to leave.
They stand at the end of my bed
Persons who are yet to find peace are a constant reminder of how close death is.
Have I ever really helped anybody but myself,
I question if I made a difference and not just moves that favored me.
To believe in the power of songs
Maybe music has more significant influence than what we give it credit for.
To believe in the power of girls
I hope people start to recognize the potential in women in our society.
Though the point we're making is gone
The reason we're fighting for is lost in the midst of all the chaos.
Played stripped down to my bone
I played music with nothing to hide behind, exposed myself.
I'll shut up and carry on
I will stay quiet and persist, retreat will not be an option.
The scream becomes a yawn
What used to be my battle cry is now lifeless; the excitement is gone.
Our parents, daughters, and sons
Our predecessors, present, and successors are bound together.
Believed in the power of songs
Music had relevance in their time, and it had a significant influence on their lives.
What if those days are gone
I am uncertainty about the relevance of the past in the present.
My memory is strong
The memory of the past will remain vivid for me.
Anyone not dying is dead
Those who are not actively living their lives are not different from the dead.
And baby it won't be long
Death is close; we cannot escape it.
So shut up and carry on
I need to act, stop talking, and stay resolute.
Baby wherever you are, baby whatever you do
I do not know where you are, or what you are doing, but I'm hopeful.
Faster than you think, time staggers on
Time is slipping away from our fingers, it never waits for anyone.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Emily Haines, James Shaw
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
An Orange Fellow
The most devastatingly honest song on the album. It's an album filled with so much self-slander and trauma, but at the same time it's not played for sympathy. It's like a confession, and it's apathy just makes it all the more distressing. Beautiful.
An Orange Fellow
@Cebby hey thanks tip your waitresses
Cebby
A comment made 9 years ago that still rings absolutely trues.
Bruno Borgna
For the ones who don´t know, "Dreams so real we wake up in them" is a poem by Emily´s father, Paul Haines. In thins song I think she says how much he misses him and how hopeless she feels. Spread the word about Paul!
Mike Mac
Their sense of melody is mind-blowing. @1;48 'My memory is STRONG' The way she sings 'strong'. Sounds so cool. A line like 'believed in the power of songs' resonates. Aside from being loved by someone Music is the ultimate healer.
Dave Galli
+Mike Mac Wise words man. Quotable
Marson Statler
Such a fantastic song- phenomenal!
Justin Zinman
you helped me believe in the power of songs and the power of girls. Thank you Metric
Change Of Direction
The background synthesizer is killing it in this song! I could listen to this song forever and not get sick of it. If I was a super human or superhero or made a superhero movie, I'd be playing the acoustics as my approach music to destroy whoever!
Casey
I'm so drunk... but this is the best song EVER. On the best album EVER. WOOHOO!