Cheap Dreams
Small Black Lyrics

In “Cheap Dreams,” Small Black dives into the complexities of personal struggle, self-identity, and the burden of expectations. The opening lines, “I was waging war / that I can't afford,” indicate a battle that the singer is fighting, one that demands more from them than they can give. This internal conflict seems to revolve around deeper issues of self-worth and the consequences of choices that are burdensome yet necessary. The line, “never felt the pain / but I knew the cost,” suggests a level of detachment from the potential fallout of this struggle—it's almost as if the singer knows what they should feel but remains numb to the emotional weight of their decisions.

The exploration of solitude is also pronounced in the second stanza: “the future's here / and the future's gone / yeah you won the race / to be alone.” Here, Small Black emphasizes the fleeting nature of opportunities and relationships, hinting at a sense of competition or inevitable isolation. The phrase “you won the race to be alone” might imply that in striving for their individual goals or dreams, the people in the singer's life have inadvertently chosen isolation over companionship. This could reflect a broader societal theme where personal ambition leads to neglecting connections with others, resulting in a haunting sense of loneliness despite one's achievements.

In the lines “pride's a sin / never gave it up / cause it always was / my favorite one,” the singer grapples with pride's dual nature. While pride can be construed as a negative trait, here it’s presented with affection as a "favorite," indicating that it serves as a form of self-preservation. This pride may give the singer a sense of agency, even if it manifests as denial or resistance to change. The subsequent assertion, “I borrowed time / and you did too / but I'm not gonna change / my life for you,” reiterates a commitment to oneself, suggesting that despite shared struggles, the singer is not willing to compromise their sense of self or path for another person. The insistence on keeping “cheap dreams” serves as a critique of superficial aspirations, perhaps indicating that such dreams lack depth or genuine fulfillment.

Lastly, the closing verses evoke imagery of stagnation and numbness: “Econoline through the void / I wasn't quite there / just fast asleep / in the space between / context & reality.” This phrase captures a moment of disconnection, with “Econoline” likely referencing a journey or an incessant movement without a clear destination, indicating a struggle to grasp their reality fully. The metaphor of being “fast asleep” implies a failure to engage with life fully, lingering in a liminal space where clarity and purpose are elusive. The repetition of “cheap dreams” throughout the song encapsulates a critical stance on chasing insubstantial goals, emphasizing the importance of authenticity over shallow desires. Overall, Small Black’s “Cheap Dreams” weaves a rich tapestry of introspection, exposing the difficulties of navigating self-identity amid a backdrop of societal expectations and personal dreams.