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.
Well, I want to tell the story about a hard luck guy
Nobody seems to love me, I guess that`s the reason why
Just dreams, dreams all night long and through the day
Yes, and it`s so sad, oh, to break my heart this way
Yes, I`m not handsome or romantic, I don`t have wavy hair
Won`t you girls please have mercy
The way you treat me ain`t fair
Why does bad luck follow me
Oh, dreams, seems that`s all that`s left for me
Well, I just can`t get no place with a doggone thing I plan
Every girl I try my luck on belongs to some other man
Where, where, where is the one I`m dreaming of
All gone, gone with last night`s dreams of love
Yes, last night as I lay sleepin`, I dreamed about a queen
And it hurt me so bad, people
To wake up and find out it was just a dream
Dream, dream is all I can do
Oh, I`m so tired dreamin` dreams, dreams
That won`t come true
Nobody seems to love me, I guess that`s the reason why
Just dreams, dreams all night long and through the day
Yes, and it`s so sad, oh, to break my heart this way
Yes, I`m not handsome or romantic, I don`t have wavy hair
Won`t you girls please have mercy
The way you treat me ain`t fair
Why does bad luck follow me
Oh, dreams, seems that`s all that`s left for me
Well, I just can`t get no place with a doggone thing I plan
Every girl I try my luck on belongs to some other man
Where, where, where is the one I`m dreaming of
All gone, gone with last night`s dreams of love
Yes, last night as I lay sleepin`, I dreamed about a queen
And it hurt me so bad, people
To wake up and find out it was just a dream
Dream, dream is all I can do
Oh, I`m so tired dreamin` dreams, dreams
That won`t come true
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Just a Dream Lyrics as written by Scotty Brown Dwayne Bastiany
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
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.