In My Dreams
P. J. Proby Lyrics
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I see a country always starved
I hear the music of a heartbeat
I walk, and the people turn and laugh
Is it in my head
Is it in my head
Is it in my head here at the start?
Is it in my head
Is it in my head, or in my heart?
I pick up phones and hear my history
I dream of all the calls I miss
I try to number those who love me
And find exactly what the trouble is
Is it in my head
Is it in my head
Is it in my head here at the start?
Is it in my head
Is it in my head
Is it in my head, or in my heart?
I feel I'm being followed
My head is empty
Yet every word I say turns out a sentence
Statements to a stranger
Just asking for directions
Turn from being help to being questions
I see a man without a problem
In P.J. Proby's song "In My Dreams," the singer is witnessing several unsettling visions and experiences. He sees a man without any problems, which may suggest that the singer feels burdened with his own problems, while others seem to glide through life without a care in the world. He also sees a country that is always starved, implying that he may feel helpless and powerless to change the state of the world around him. The singer hears the music of a heartbeat, which could represent his own life's rhythm, but also may suggest that he longs for a deeper connection and meaning in his life.
The singer's paranoia and anxiety come to the fore when he feels that he's being followed while his head feels empty. He dreams of calls he's missed, possibly signifying important moments he's missed in his life. He's also attempting to discern who loves him and what the trouble is with that love. This could suggest that he's experiencing a lack of true connection and intimacy in his relationships.
Throughout the song, the lyric "Is it in my head or in my heart?" repeats as a refrain, indicating the singer's struggle with trying to understand his own psyche. He's attempting to discern whether his fears and worries are real, or whether they are only products of his own mind. The song portrays a mind in turmoil, grappling with complex emotions and thoughts, and desperately trying to find understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
I see a man without a problem
I observe a man who appears to have no concerns or issues in his life
I see a country always starved
I perceive a nation that is constantly lacking in food and resources
I hear the music of a heartbeat
I listen to the rhythmic pulsing of a person's heart, which is an indication of life and vitality
I walk, and the people turn and laugh
As I move forward, individuals around me respond with laughter and ridicule, possibly due to my appearance or actions
Is it in my head
I question if what I am experiencing is solely a product of my mental or emotional state
Is it in my head here at the start?
I wonder if the source of my uncertainty is rooted in the beginning or introduction of a situation
Is it in my head, or in my heart?
I contemplate if my doubts and fears are originating from my thoughts or my emotions
I pick up phones and hear my history
When I answer the phone, I am reminded of my past and personal experiences
I dream of all the calls I miss
In my sleep, I envision all of the phone conversations I did not answer or receive
I try to number those who love me
I attempt to quantify or list the individuals who care for me deeply
And find exactly what the trouble is
Despite my efforts, I finally discover and fully comprehend the root of my problems
I feel I'm being followed
I sense that someone or something is constantly trailing me
My head is empty
My mind feels devoid of thought or ideas
Yet every word I say turns out a sentence
Despite my mental state, every statement or phrase that I utter is a coherent and complete sentence
Statements to a stranger
I make declarations or remarks to a person who is unfamiliar to me
Just asking for directions
My intentions are merely to request guidance or instructions
Turn from being help to being questions
However, my requests transform into inquiries or doubts, which fail to assist me in finding my way
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Peter Dennis Blandfor Townshend
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnbarrows2034
I know this from the old 70's bootleg "Special Delivery" and always dreamed how it would have been if Elvis had recorded this. It's a great song and here it is much much clearer than on the bootleg.
@shondell67
Ricky did an awesome job with it. Had no idea PJ wrote this. One of my favorites!