Splashdown in the silver screen
Into a deep dramatic scene
I swim through the theater
Or maybe I'm just a dreamer
Like a kite in the bright midday
Wonder stole my breath away

Shy sonata for Mercury
The stars always sing so pretty
This picnic will soon depart
Real life, I'm sad to see you go
I'll miss you with all my heart
But I'd rather be alone

'Cause I couldn't live without
The sunsets that dazzle in the dusk
So I'll drag the anchor up
And rest assured, 'cause dreams don't turn to dust
Dreams don't turn to dust
I made for the countryside

And my eyes never grew so wide
Apple, raspberry, river blue
I don't wanna leave without you
In the sound I'll gladly drown
Into the emerald underground
I rub my eyes 'cause it's hard to see

Surrounded by all this beauty
This picnic will soon depart
Real life, I'm sad to see you go
I'll miss you with all my heart
But I'd rather be alone
'Cause I couldn't live without

The sunsets that dazzle in the dusk
So I'll drag the anchor up
And rest assured, 'cause dreams don't turn to dust
(I'm sad to see you go)
(But I'd rather be alone)
When tiger eyes begin making you blush
When diamonds boast that they can't be crushed
Let 'em go 'cause dreams don't turn to dust

This picnic will soon depart
Real life, I'm sad to see you go
I'll miss you with all my heart
But I'd rather be alone
'Cause I couldn't live without
The sunsets that dazzle in the dusk

So I'll drag the anchor up
And rest assured
'Cause dreams don't turn to dust
Dreams don't turn to dust
Dreams don't turn to dust
I'll rest assured, 'cause dreams don't turn to dust


Lyrics submitted by whcodered

Dreams Don't Turn to Dust Lyrics as written by Adam R. Young

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Dreams Don't Turn to Dust song meanings
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9 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    What he's saying is he doesn't always want to live in reality he wants to live in his dreams, and he wants ALL of us to follow our dreams and dreams will never end...we love you Adam...<3

    OwlCity123on July 12, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    to me this song means that he has dreams of this beautiful girl in a beautiful dream world, but it's rather dark and not as good as real life, he wants to be with her in real life so that's why he'd rather be alone than being tricked into thinking he with this beautiful girl. But that's just me interpretation.

    kristinguengerichon April 29, 2012   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    I think he is singing about his dreaming, and doesn't want to leave it. He says he'll miss real life, but he would rather be dreaming alone then be in real life. I believe he hints at it becoming reality with the first few verses (Splashdown in the silver screen, Into a deep dramatic scene, I swim through the theatre, Or maybe I'm just a dreamer) and says in the chorus "dreams don't turn to dust", meaning his dreams won't just be forgotten/be chased.

    pacifismon March 13, 2014   Link
  • 0
    Song Comparison

    one of the best song in all things bright and beautiful :)

    AdamYoungAddicton May 23, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Love. This. Song.

    ViolaFanon June 12, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This picnic will soon depart Real life, I'm sad to see you go I'll miss you with all my heart, But I'd rather be alone 'Cause I couldn't live without Sunsets that dazzle in the dusk, So I'll drag the anchor up And rest assured, 'cause dreams don't turn to dust

    l0ve2kn0won June 19, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Basically saying, keep dreaming, keep reaching as high as you can, one day you will meet your goals, sooner or later just depends on you

    Agumon1808on July 05, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Adam is a sunset that dazzles in the dusk. And around here, it's always dusk ;) Keep shining, keep dreaming, and live life <3

    oceanheart13on July 10, 2011   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning

    this song is about how the world can be really wonderful if you just stop thinking so hard about it and let go of reality for a little while. you will get where you are trying to go eventually so stop worrying. my bird,estuarine, was screeching and dancing along to this song today. this is her first time singing and i am so happy she likes owl city too!

    infinitypoolon March 24, 2012   Link

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