Will Carter – DREAMS

Song Details

• Title: DREAMS
• Artist: Will Carter
• Genre: Alternative Rock / Pop Rock
• Language: English
• Themes: Fear of failure, time anxiety, heartbreak, hope, personal growth
• Mood: Introspective, melancholic, yet hopeful

In-Depth Meaning & Analysis

Will Carter’s DREAMS is an emotionally raw song that explores the fear of pursuing one’s dreams, the weight of time passing by, and the emotional toll of heartbreak. The lyrics blend themes of self-doubt, existential anxiety, and hope for a brighter future.

The song captures a universal struggle—being afraid to take risks but also fearing a future filled with regret. There’s also a strong metaphor of storms and sunrises, symbolizing the journey through pain and healing.

Verse 1 Breakdown

“I’m afraid to chase my dreams / And I don’t know why”

• Right from the start, the song expresses hesitation and uncertainty. The artist wants to pursue his dreams but is held back by an unnamed fear.

“Am I some kind of stupid? / But I’m trapped inside my mind”

• Self-doubt creeps in, making him question his own intelligence. Being trapped inside the mind suggests overthinking or mental struggles like anxiety.

“And I’m scared I won’t find the meaning to this life”

• A deep existential fear—what if he never finds his purpose? This line hints at a broader struggle with meaning and direction.

“No, I, I don’t wanna wake up in twenty years hating my life”

• A relatable fear of wasted time. He doesn’t want to look back in regret, knowing that time is slipping away.

“I know time is precious and with every second that goes by”

• A realization that time is valuable, adding pressure to make the right choices before it’s too late.

Chorus Breakdown

“All this love has given me is hurt and heartbreak”

• Love has brought him more pain than happiness, hinting at past romantic struggles or unfulfilled expectations.

“I know I’ll see the brighter side when I fight through this pain”

• Despite the pain, there’s hope for better days. The phrase brighter side suggests optimism and resilience.

“After the storm, I will see the sunrise”

• A powerful metaphor: storms represent struggle and hardship, while the sunrise symbolizes new beginnings and healing.

“Maybe I can change my dreams and wrong the horizon”

• He considers the idea of adjusting his goals. The phrase wrong the horizon is interesting—perhaps he means correcting past mistakes or redefining his vision.

Verse 2 Breakdown

“And I’m afraid to go to sleep / And I don’t know why”

• Sleep often symbolizes peace, yet he fears it. This could imply insomnia, anxiety, or the fear of facing his own thoughts.

“I’m stuck in the middle of the night / Counting every sheep that flies by”

• Struggling with sleeplessness, his mind is restless. Counting sheep is a common metaphor for trying to fall asleep, but the added flies by suggests time slipping away.

“And I’m scared I won’t find the meaning to this life”

• Repeating this line reinforces his inner turmoil—his biggest fear remains unresolved.

“No, I, I don’t wanna wake up in twenty years hating my life”

• Again, the fear of wasted time is emphasized, making it a central theme of the song.

“I know time is precious and every second that goes by”

• Reaffirming that time waits for no one, adding to the urgency of chasing his dreams.

Bridge Breakdown

“I’m afraid to chase my dreams / With all these demons chasing me”

• The demons symbolize personal struggles—self-doubt, anxiety, depression, or past trauma. He feels like his fears are constantly pursuing him, preventing progress.

“I tried to run but I’m not that fast”

• He wants to escape his fears, but he feels unable to outrun them, showing vulnerability and frustration.

“I’m afraid to chase my dreams / I’m afraid to chase my dreams”

• Repeating this line at the end leaves the listener with the unresolved tension—he’s still trapped in fear.

Overall Meaning

DREAMS is an emotional journey through self-doubt, existential dread, and the fear of wasted time. The song touches on universal struggles—wanting to achieve something great but being paralyzed by fear.

Despite the sadness in the lyrics, there’s a glimmer of hope. The references to storms and sunrises suggest that the artist believes in healing and overcoming obstacles. The song ultimately resonates with anyone who has felt stuck, afraid of failure, or unsure about the future.

FAQs

Q1: What is the main theme of DREAMS?

A: The main theme is fear—fear of failure, fear of time slipping away, and fear of not finding purpose. However, it also carries themes of hope, resilience, and healing.

Q2: What does “wrong the horizon” mean?

A: This could mean correcting past mistakes, redefining his dreams, or challenging expectations. It suggests a desire for change and personal growth.

Q3: Why is the artist afraid to chase his dreams?

A: He’s held back by self-doubt, past pain, and possibly mental struggles. His lyrics suggest he fears both failure and the consequences of inaction.

Q4: What do the “demons chasing me” symbolize?

A: They likely represent anxiety, depression, past trauma, or any internal struggles that make it difficult to move forward.

Q5: Is there hope in the song?

A: Yes, despite the fear and sadness, lines like “After the storm, I will see the sunrise” suggest that he believes in overcoming his struggles and finding peace.

Q6: What is the significance of “twenty years” in the song?

A: It symbolizes long-term regret. He doesn’t want to wake up decades later feeling like he wasted his potential.

Conclusion

Will Carter’s DREAMS is a deeply relatable song about the fear of failure, the passage of time, and the emotional weight of pursuing one’s dreams. The raw, honest lyrics capture the tension between ambition and self-doubt, making it a powerful anthem for anyone who has ever struggled with these emotions.

Ultimately, while the song expresses fear and uncertainty, it also hints at perseverance and hope for a better future.