The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Gazing through the window at the world outside
Wondering will Mother Earth survive
Hoping that mankind will stop abusing her, sometime
After all there's only just the two of us
And here we are still fighting for our lives
Watching all of history repeat itself, time after time
I'm just a dreamer, I dream my life away
I'm just a dreamer, who dreams of better days
I watch the sun go down like everyone of us
I'm hoping that the dawn will bring a sign
A better place for those who will come after us, this time
I'm just a dreamer, I dream my life away oh yeah
I'm just a dreamer, who dreams of better days
Your higher power maybe God or Jesus Christ
It doesn't really matter much to me
Without each others help there ain't no hope for us
I'm living in a dream of fantasy, oh yeah yeah yeah!
If only we could all just find serenity
It would be nice if we could live as one
When will all this anger, hate and bigotry be gone?
I'm just a dreamer, I dream my life away (today)
I'm just a dreamer, who dreams of better days (okay)
I'm just a dreamer, who's searching for the way (today)
I'm just a dreamer, dreaming my life away (oh yeah yeah yeah)
Wondering will Mother Earth survive
Hoping that mankind will stop abusing her, sometime
After all there's only just the two of us
And here we are still fighting for our lives
Watching all of history repeat itself, time after time
I'm just a dreamer, I dream my life away
I'm just a dreamer, who dreams of better days
I watch the sun go down like everyone of us
I'm hoping that the dawn will bring a sign
A better place for those who will come after us, this time
I'm just a dreamer, I dream my life away oh yeah
I'm just a dreamer, who dreams of better days
Your higher power maybe God or Jesus Christ
It doesn't really matter much to me
Without each others help there ain't no hope for us
I'm living in a dream of fantasy, oh yeah yeah yeah!
If only we could all just find serenity
It would be nice if we could live as one
When will all this anger, hate and bigotry be gone?
I'm just a dreamer, I dream my life away (today)
I'm just a dreamer, who dreams of better days (okay)
I'm just a dreamer, who's searching for the way (today)
I'm just a dreamer, dreaming my life away (oh yeah yeah yeah)
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Ozzy has always said he was influenced by the Beatles, and once said he was always trying to make his "Sgt. Pepper" album. Well, he is on his way. "Dreamer" is everything John Lennon's "Imagine" ever was and is. Better in my opinion, and I am a Beatles fan.
I agree with you. If you have read Ozzy's book entitled "I Am Ozzy" and have Ozzy's Prince of Darkness 4-disc album he even mentions that Dreamer is his version of John Lennon's Imagine.<br /> <br /> R.I.P. John Lennon - December 8, 1980 - the day the world lost peace.
this is a fucking awesome song, yes it is a little soft for ozzy's taste, but fuck yeah this song is great .. A+, go ozzy much love
WTF.. all the comments and no one has posted anything about the song meaning? Yes we all know this is a good song, but we don't give a shit about how you and your girlfriend fucked to this song some sunny day.
This is Ozzy's vision of a better world for his children. He envisions a place where they are happy and safe. Ozzy compares this to John Lennon's "Imagine," which contains the line, "You might say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one." The Beatles were a big influence on Ozzy, as they also became stars after growing up in a poor section of England. Another reference to John Lennon is the line "After all, there's only just the two of us." This is an acknowledgment of the Beatles song "Two of Us."
That is what it really means.. but what does it mean to you?
awesome ozzy song
Beautiul song :)
I wonder where I can find the piano chords for this song. It's a really great song to learn.
Very Nice. I love Zakk's Solo in this song, 5 stars out of 5. :)
What else can I say about this song, other than it's one of the BEST Ozzy songs I've ever heard? OZZY RULES! =)
Softer, but it is the best fuckin' Ozzy song in creation.
This is a great song! "Down To Earth" shows that Ozzy has not lost it!