In 1985, she signed to A&M Records, who released her debut album Union in 1988. She had previously provided backing vocals on David & David's album Boomtown. Later that year, she was nominated for two Grammy Awards, Best New Artist and Best Rock Vocal Performance (female). Her first national tour was opening for Bob Dylan. Her follow-up album House of Hope yielded a large hit in Australia with "I've Got To Go Now", but did not sell well in the US and was dropped from the A&M label. DGC Records, a subsidiary of Geffen Records, signed her and released her third album, The Woman's Boat. Although she was nominated for another Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Performance, the album sold poorly, and Childs was again left without a recording label. She recorded another album in 1996, but could not find a label to release it. Also in 1996, "The Very Best Of Toni Childs" was released, becoming the fifth biggest-selling album of 1996 in Australia. She retired from touring in 1997 after contracting a serious illness and starting the "Dream a Dolphin" charity. Childs released a song entitled "Because You're Beautiful", which won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Music & Lyrics in 2004. She has recorded a new album entitled Keep the Faith, which is expected to be released in Australia in 2006 and in the US and UK in 2007.
Dreamer
Toni Childs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't stop, stop the breathing
Can't stop, stop these tears for you my dear
Don't know why it's so bad
This life's been so bad
I'm glad I finally found you here
You're the voice of a dream I had
You're the weight of a dream of a life come true
There's no denying
I sometimes run and chase the moon
I just can
I sometimes run and chase the views
And dream of you
My heart locked in absence
My heart locked and fearful
I see no-one can be here today
My thoughts locked in thinking
My thoughts not believing
I see no-one can be here with me
You're the light of a dream I had
You're the voice and I'm so glad
You're the weight of a dream of a life come true
There's no denying
I sometimes run and chase the moon
And think of you
I sometimes run and chase the views
And not of you
I sometimes run and chase the moon
But I'm just dreaming
I sometimes run and chase the views
But I'm still dreaming
Dreaming
I'm dreaming
I'm dreaming of you, dear
The lyrics of Toni Childs's song Dreamer describe a person who feels lost and brokenhearted, but has found someone who gives them hope and purpose. The artist expresses the pain they feel - one that cannot be stopped, even though they wish it would - with lines such as "Can't stop, stop the hurting" and "Can't stop, stop these tears for you my dear." However, the singer has found solace and love in the person whom they refer to as "the voice of a dream I had" and "the weight of a dream of a life come true."
The song conveys a sense of longing and desperation as the singer describes their heart and thoughts as "locked" and "fearful." However, the chorus reveals a glimmer of hope as the artist repeats that their love interest is "the weight of a dream of a life come true" and "the light of a dream I had." This suggests that despite the pain and uncertainty, the person they have found brings them a sense of completeness and happiness that they have been searching for. The final lines emphasize this sense of hope as the artist declares, "I'm dreaming of you, dear," indicating that their quest has led them to a place where their dreams are being realized.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't stop, stop the hurting
I am unable to prevent the pain I feel.
Can't stop, stop the breathing
I am unable to cease breathing, even if I wanted to stop feeling this way.
Can't stop, stop these tears for you my dear
My sadness is so great that it is causing me to cry over you.
Don't know why it's so bad
I am uncertain why I feel so terrible.
This life's been so bad
My life has been unpleasant and difficult.
I'm glad I finally found you here
Despite my struggles, I am grateful to have found you now.
You're the voice of a dream I had
You represent the essence of a dream that I have had.
You're the voice and I'm so glad
I am thankful that you exist and for the sound of your voice.
You're the weight of a dream of a life come true
You are the most significant element of my dream of what my life could be.
There's no denying
I cannot reject or dispute the fact that you are important to me.
I sometimes run and chase the moon
At times, I pursue impossible dreams and aspirations.
I just can
Despite the challenges, I have the ability to keep trying.
I sometimes run and chase the views
Other times, I pursue more practical or realistic goals.
And dream of you
However, you are always a part of my dreams.
My heart locked in absence
I am emotionally distant and cut off from others.
My heart locked and fearful
I am afraid to fully open my heart and reveal my true feelings.
I see no-one can be here today
Currently, I do not have anyone to confide in or rely on.
My thoughts locked in thinking
I am preoccupied with my thoughts.
My thoughts not believing
I am doubtful and skeptical of my own ideas and beliefs.
I see no-one can be here with me
I feel alone and unsupported in my current situation.
But I'm just dreaming
Despite my struggles, I still hold onto my dreams and aspirations.
Dreaming
I am always dreaming of something better or more beautiful.
I'm dreaming
Despite my hardships, I am still able to dream and hope for a happy future.
I'm dreaming of you, dear
You are always a part of my dreams and hopes for the future.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID RICKETTS, TONI CHILDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bshannon4147
For some unknown reason, I watched Moonlight & Valentino about a month ago - never saw it before - I was in a nostalgic mood I guess - and this voice, this song, was what stood out most to me. So glad to have found it! xx
@TwistOfFate444
This and Shelter by Lone Justice make that movie. Did you like the movie? I know it’s widely panned but I love it for some weird reason
@jelenaradovanovic813
Same to, having just watched the movie and immediately looking for the song, causes a special feeling.
@Bellahendrik
Me too ❤️
@STP420D
God. Everytime a loved one passes away this song plays in my head. There is beauty. But the sorrow is overwhelming.
@MsBadmcfad
Yes, being alone and dying is heartbreaking 💔
@robbiefisher5834
WHAT A POWERFUL VOICE BEEN LISTENING FOR MANY YEARS LOVE HER
@noneother3042
OMG So happy to relive these today. That voice.
@fernviking7909
Love Toni Childs! Her songs are magical, mystical & ethereal. She had me at Walk & Talk Like the Angels & been hooked ever since!!
@RandyInCT
What a flawless album...this is one of the best.