Band member Adam Granduciel (born Adam Granofsky in Dover, Massachusetts) moved from Oakland, California to Philadelphia in 2003, where he met Kurt Vile and began playing music with him. They began playing as The War on Drugs in 2005, and self-released a demo EP. While Vile and Granduciel formed the backbone of the band, they had a number of accompanists early in the group's career, before finally settling on a lineup that added Charlie Hall as drummer/organist, Kyle Lloyd as drummer and Dave Hartley on bass. Granduciel had previously toured and recorded with The Capitol Years, and Vile has several solo albums. The group gave away its Barrel of Batteries EP for free early in 2008. Their debut LP for Secretly Canadian, Wagonwheel Blues, was released in 2008.
Reviewers of the band's music make note of its Americana overtones. The group's sound has been described as influenced by Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and My Bloody Valentine.
The lineup underwent several changes, and by the end of 2008, Kurt Vile, Charlie Hall, and Kyle Lloyd had all exited the group. Granduciel and Hartley were joined by drummer Mike Zanghi as the group slimmed to three members.
After Zanghi's exit in 2010, Steven Urgo took over drum duties and Robbie Bennett joined on keys.
Lost in the Dream
The War on Drugs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or just the silence of a moment
It's always hard to tell
Down in the way
They cut it open and they sold it
It's always hard to tell
I saw a soldier man
Ooh but it's hard they can't resist
You may risk it all
You'd risk it all for the memory
But it's living under your skin
Love's the key to the things that we see
Ain't no mind in chasing
Leave the light on in the yard for me, oh
When we were the same
We stroked our arms and we wore them thin
Ah the sadness it was in
But you don't miss it man
You got it all like a memory
Now it's living under your skin
Love's the key to the games that we play
But don't mind losing
Love's the key to the things that you see
But you don't mind moving
It's a door in the dark of the way
It's the key in the dark for the spark
Love's a game; run away the same
Oh, all the way
Lost in the Dream by The War on Drugs is a song about memories, love, and the passage of time. The first verse of the song discusses the difficulty in distinguishing between being lost in a dream and being lost in a moment of silence. The second part of the verse is reflective of a harsh reality where things that were once valued are now discarded and sold. The second verse is about a soldier who has returned from war and is trying to resist the memories that haunt him. The soldier is struggling with his memories and trying to keep them buried deep beneath his skin, but love is the key for him to come to terms with his past.
The chorus touches on the importance of love in life and the memories that love helps create. It suggests that love is the key to understanding the things that we see and experience, and there is no point in chasing the memories. The final verse talks about the passage of time and how people change as they grow older. It describes the memories of a time when the singer and a friend were the same, but now they are different, having grown apart as they have aged.
Overall, Lost in the Dream is a poignant and introspective song that explores themes of love, memories, and the passage of time.
Line by Line Meaning
Lost in the dream
Feeling disconnected from reality and unsure of one's surroundings
Or just the silence of a moment
Unclear if feeling lost is due to external circumstances or internal thoughts
It's always hard to tell
The cause of confusion and uncertainty is difficult to discern
Down in the way
Refers to a dark or hidden place
They cut it open and they sold it
Something valuable was taken and exploited for profit
I saw a soldier man
Encounters a symbol of strength and discipline
And he locked his eyes like they were rings
The soldier's gaze was unyielding and intense
Ooh but it's hard they can't resist
The soldier's behavior is difficult for others to resist or overcome
You may risk it all
Being willing to take a great risk for the sake of something important
You'd risk it all for the memory
The memory of something important is worth putting everything on the line for
But it's living under your skin
The memory continues to affect and influence one's thoughts and actions
Love's the key to the things that we see
Love allows us to perceive and appreciate the world around us
Ain't no mind in chasing
There is no point in pursuing something that is ultimately unattainable
Leave the light on in the yard for me, oh
Request to keep a comforting light on and provide a sense of security
When we were the same
Reflecting on a time when things were simpler and more unified
We stroked our arms and we wore them thin
Repeatedly soothing oneself in a way that can be damaging over time
Ah the sadness it was in
Noting the pain and sorrow in the past
But you don't miss it man
Despite the difficulties of the past, there is no desire to return to it
You got it all like a memory
Possessing everything that is needed like a fondly remembered memory
Love's the key to the games that we play
Love is the underlying motivator behind our actions and decisions
But don't mind losing
Not worried about the potential risks and failures of pursuing love
Love's the key to the things that you see
Love is what allows us to recognize and appreciate the beauty around us
But you don't mind moving
Will not let the pursuit of love keep one stagnant or complacent
It's a door in the dark of the way
Love can provide a path forward even in the midst of uncertainty and difficulty
It's the key in the dark for the spark
Love is the catalyst for inspiration and creative growth
Love's a game; run away the same
Love can be seen as a competition, and the desire to win or achieve can lead people to make similar choices and decisions
Oh, all the way
Emphasizing the all-encompassing nature of love and its influence over every aspect of life
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB., Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Adam Granofsky
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind