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.
My heart it skips a beat when I behold
The light that's shining through your eyes of gold
From heavenly blood you seem to spring
From heavenly waters you can drink
I'll meet you on a day that never ends
I'll greet you in a way that heaven meant
You lay me down gently on the leaves
You cover me over in my sleep
I never did say that I wish I could
I never could pray 'cause it's just no good
I hope you don't break my heart of stone
I don't want to scream out loud
And wake up on my own
And as I close my eyes
And the sky turns red
I realize just what you are
You're an idler's dream
And you're singing Shangri-La
Shangri-La
Shangri-La
Shangri-La
The light that's shining through your eyes of gold
From heavenly blood you seem to spring
From heavenly waters you can drink
I'll meet you on a day that never ends
I'll greet you in a way that heaven meant
You lay me down gently on the leaves
You cover me over in my sleep
I never did say that I wish I could
I never could pray 'cause it's just no good
I hope you don't break my heart of stone
I don't want to scream out loud
And wake up on my own
And as I close my eyes
And the sky turns red
I realize just what you are
You're an idler's dream
And you're singing Shangri-La
Shangri-La
Shangri-La
Shangri-La
Lyrics submitted by Nowhere_Girl
Idler's Dream Lyrics as written by Gallagher
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
I think its about meeting someone who is not alive anymore in an afterlife.
Well I think it's about Noel meeting the girl of his dreams and it's an amazing song.
To me the first verse is describing the first time the girl is seen; likening her to an angel.
The second verse is about when they first met, he wants to treat he like the angel he thinks she is. She looks after him.
Third verse is - first he's talking about not expecting this love, or looking for it or praying for it. Then it moves on to the insecurity of losing this girl.
The last verse isn't a nightmare in my opinion - the sky turning red is a sunset, he just realises she's a dream and she's singing Shangri-la which is metaphor for paradise.
ooops... the title of the song is idler's dream... :(
This is probably the best Noel solo. I played this when i was sad and it touched me !!
this is a beautiful song.. noel's a fuckin great writer and his voice is great for songs like this.. seems like the song is about a beautiful, heavenly girl.. but then it seems like he is worried that she is going to leave him and he will wake up on his own.. im not too sure.. and i have no idea what the idler's dream part means.. does anybody?
I love this song. I also think Noel has the perfect voice and tone to carry this tune beautifully. The Idler's dream part, in my understanding means that he's dreaming of this perfect person/girl to brighten his life, referring to HIMSELF as an idler; someone who doesn't do anything with their life. This girl he dreams of awakens him and makes him feel alive, and he's scared of losing the "dream" because she gives him feelings he would otherwise not have.
Well, I don't really feel like discussing the meaning, but I think it is a just a grand song. At first I found it quite corny and odd for Noel Gallagher to write a song like this but it has grown on me. I think it is a just a very cute love song. My two fav parts are when he sings "I don't sream out load and wake up on my own".......and "your singing shangri la". The back up vocals come in and it sounds so tender with lot's of love. That part get's me. Should have been on an album, but they probably left it off because, come on! it's Oasis. They have to still live up to the bad boy image of not caring about love, and being all tough.
I think the song is about meeting someone that you don't have to make an effort to get on really with. You can just be yourself. Hence "Idler's Dream".
This is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. I have all the Oasis sheet music books except Heathen Chemistry and I wish they had this for piano :(...hopefully they'll release another b-sides album like Masterplan with this on it and so release a piano sheet for this in the process...
well who cares bout the meaning, its an amazing song, amazing lyrics..playing it with me band next week.. jst trying 2 work out piano tabs tho. oasis live forever