Do You Dream Of Being Somebody
Murray McLauchlan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No on with nothin' to say
You've got to make your pay
And your sense of humor
Fades away
Do you dream of being somebody
Do dreams really ever come true
So the world will love you
Feel like you're fading away
Feeling like you can't fit
Life in the palm of your hand
But you get so scared
That you close your fist
Do you dream of being somebody
Do dreams really ever come true
Do you dream of being somebody
So the world will love you
Feel like exploding or worse
Feeling afraid to be hurt
Hearts get so hard from the fear
That love cries out
And they just don't hear
Do you dream of being somebody
Do dreams really ever come true
Do you dream of being somebody
So the world will love you
The song “Do You Dream of Being Somebody” by Murray McLauchlan explores themes of loneliness, insecurity, and the desire for acceptance, especially in a world that seems to value success and external validation. The first verse paints a picture of someone lost in the crowd, feeling invisible and insignificant. They feel like they have to constantly be working and making money, leaving no time for humor or joy. The chorus, which repeats throughout the song, asks the listener if they dream of being somebody and if they believe dreams can come true. It suggests that the singer believes there is a connection between being somebody and being loved by the world.
The second verse continues down this path of feeling like an outsider or misfit in one’s own life. The image of life as something trying to fit in the palm of your hand suggests that it is something we have to control and contain, rather than a natural and easy thing. The fear and insecurity that come with this effort to control can lead to a closed-off heart that cannot hear love even when it cries out. This suggests that the desire for external validation and success can lead to a hardening of the heart that prevents intimacy and connection.
Overall, the song is a poignant exploration of the human desire for love and acceptance, and the ways in which that desire can become twisted and disconnected from the things that truly matter. It encourages us to question our motivations for success and to seek true connection rather than external validation and empty dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Lost in the crowd today
Feeling invisible and unnoticed among others
No one with nothin' to say
Not having anyone to talk to or share thoughts with
You've got to make your pay
Having to earn a living or make money to survive
And your sense of humor fades away
Feeling a sense of dullness and lack of joy, and not finding anything funny anymore
Do you dream of being somebody
Asking if one desires to achieve greatness, be someone notable or famous
Do dreams really ever come true
Pondering if goals and aspirations in life can actually be accomplished
So the world will love you
Wanting recognition, admiration and acceptance from society
Feel like you're fading away
Sensing a decline, weakness or loss of identity, self-esteem, or purpose
Feeling like you can't fit
Experiencing a lack of belonging, feeling out of place, or being different from others
Life in the palm of your hand
Having control and being able to dictate one's own choices and outcomes in life
But you get so scared
Feeling fearful, unsure, or hesitant despite having potential power and control over one's life
That you close your fist
Choosing to hold on too tightly and not letting go of one's fears, inhibitions or doubts
Feel like exploding or worse
Feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or experiencing extreme emotional pain
Feeling afraid to be hurt
Being reluctant to take risks, open up or be vulnerable due to past trauma, rejections or failures
Hearts get so hard from the fear
Feeling emotionally guarded, insensitive and unlovable due to the barriers set up out of self-defense
That love cries out
The profound but often ignored or unnoticed human need for affection, connection, and recognition
And they just don't hear
Others fail to listen attentively, empathize or understand one's emotions, desires or struggles
Contributed by Caleb M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
C. D.
When this song first hit the AM radio waves it really struck close to home for me. I am still dreaming as an old man......................
Murray was one of the best songwriters and very much underappreciated.
Kelly Pfeiffer
Cathy Smith on back up vocals.
Morven Quail
Another of his best.