The Inspiration Behind Dream On:
Steven Tyler’s father was a classical musician. Subsequently, when you are exposed to artists such as Bach and Chopin as a child, this influences how you want to create and compose modern-day music. This creative process began within a house in Foxboro, Massachusetts as band members from Aerosmith worked on their debut album. Steven had a vision for Dream On to include an orchestra arrangement with a dramatic progression to pick of the pace. The chorus for Dream On was conceived from Steven’s thoughts about life and desire to become a lead singer.
Biblical Application:
This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.[b] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile,” Jeremiah 29:10-14.
Exegesis of Dream On:
Every time when I look in the mirror
All these lines on my face getting clearer
The past is gone
It went by like dusk to dawn
Steven is reflecting upon staring into a mirror, likely to practice singing. Whether as a child or aspiring lead singer, this time has passed, vanishing so quickly.
Isn’t that the way?
Everybody’s got their dues in life to pay, yeah
Sometimes people have to work in other areas of interest in life just to pay their bills before being able to pursue their dreams.
I know nobody knows
Where it comes and where it goes
I know and everybody sin
You got to lose to know how to win
Steven appears to refer to life as a series of trial and error to figure what they truly want to do in life as well as ascertaining right from wrong. You have to fail before you learn how to succeed.
Half my life’s in books’ written pages
Live and learn from fools and from sages
You know it’s true
All the feelings come back to you
Either Steven refers to life as a book in progress or half of his life is now history. As you live and learn from your past, you want to make sure you don’t keep making the same mistake over and over again.
Sing with me, sing for the year
Sing for the laughter and sing for the tear
Sing it with me, if it’s just for today
Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away
Nobody knows the future. You may have a sense of what lies ahead tomorrow, but for now enjoy the present. If today is your last day on earth, make the most of it.
Well, sing with me, sing for the year
Sing for the laughter and sing for the tear
Sing it with me, if it’s just for today
Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away
By repeating the chorus, Steven is inviting the audience to live in the moment.
Dream on, dream on, dream on
Dream until your dream come true
Dream on, dream on, dream on
Dream until your dream come true
Don’t give up on your life’s aspirations. Don’t settle for what others what you to be. Rather, strive for the dreams, hopes and goals that God created you to fulfill in life.
Dream on, dream on, dream on, dream on
Dream on, dream on, dream on, ah!
Don’t ever give up on your dreams.
Sing with me, sing for the year
Sing for the laughter and sing for the tear
Sing it with me, if it’s just for today
Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away
Seize the moment; enjoy this concert by singing with me.
Sing with me, sing for the year
Sing for the laughter and sing for the tear
Sing it with me, if it’s just for today
Maybe tomorrow the good Lord will take you away
Use singing as a vessel for healing.
Final Thoughts:
Everyone’s life is on a certain trajectory. You may be pleased with the direction you or currently going in or want to use 2026 as a year to transition in a different direction. Wherever you are in life, don’t settle for mediocracy. Instead, don’t be afraid to pursue your dreams and passions in life. While you may not succeed, you’ll never know if you don’t try.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 