Thought I was laying in the gutter in
Milk cartons and bones
But I was standing on a mountain top
Looking over your homes
Thought I was laying in my garden with
My hands deep in soil
But I was there on an island
Shooting flares at you both
Thought I was soothing like a violin
Confessing new rain
But I was piping like a trumpet
Frantic but faint
Thought I was built like a building's built
On concrete and stone
I realized I'm just a hack actor
Finished playing my role

You're reading my thoughts
Dreams old men dreams
It's just like when we were kids
We'd lay around wondering
We try to listen to what they said

Thought I was writing for a hundred hours
Looking straight into me
But I was reading on the newspaper obituary
Thought I was nervous like mail man
Reading your letters dear
But I was at our anniversary
Toasting thirty years

You're reading my thoughts
Dreams old men dream
It's just like when we were kids
We'd lay around wondering
We try to listen to what they say x2

Push my piano outside
I don't care x2
Meet the media black sky
I don't care x2
The neighbors will complain
Let them stare x2
Who knows where the time goes
I don't care x2

What would you think of me if I told you
I haven't slept in weeks
I've been up chasing my childhood with a pen
These are dreams old men dream


Lyrics submitted by Spudkayaks

Dreams Old Men Dream Lyrics as written by Matthew Aveiro Jonathan Russell

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Dreams Old Men Dream song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

13 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    better than the cd version? are you kidding me? sure, it doesn't have the almighty violin (which, as we all know, when introduced raises the song's overall credibility by at least 60% right?), but the lead guitarist's haunting melodies and sweeping high chords in the cd version is breathtaking.. not to mention thanks to the bass player the chorus had a bit of life breathed into it. and the drummer gives the song that extra military-esque edge, nope, in my opinion the cd version is a beautiful combination of all four instruments, demonstrates what a band should sound like, and completely blows the black cab version outta the water...

    ion_fluxon October 26, 2008   Link

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

Album art
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
Gentle Hour
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,
Album art
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.