"Sweet Dream" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Alessia Cara. It was released on July 15, 2021, through Def Jam Recordings, serving as the thirteenth track and one of two lead singles, the other being "Shapeshifter", from her third studio album In The Meantime.
Background[]
Cara began to tease the song on June 28, 2021, before officially announcing the release on July 2, 2021.[1]
“Sweet Dream” is a pop song about insomnia. Cara explains that her entire life she has trouble falling asleep.[2] On August 20, 2021, she released various lullaby versions of the track, including a vocal mix, instrumental mix, and a piano mix.[3]
Critical reception[]
Louis Pavlakos of Complex named "Sweet Dream" as the twenty-seventh best Canadian song of 2021, saying "Though the track sounds uplifting and even outright happy at times, Cara just wants to sleep, something we could all use a little bit more of".[4]
Live performances[]
The song was performed by Cara from Niagara Falls on The Late Show with Stephen Colberton July 19, 2021.[5] She also performed "Shapeshifter" on the same day. "Sweet Dream" was then performed on Live with Kelly and Ryan.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
4:55, everybody else is snoring
My heavy eyes, I can never seem to close 'em
My running mind, just can't catch you when it's going
Is it late at night or is it early in the mornin'?
[Pre-Chorus]
Only so many sheep a girl can count
Patchouli candles burnin' out
I try to meditate it all away
But damn, it is too quiet now
Daylight helps distract my head
Monsters hide under my bed
They bother me with all kinds of things like
"Where do I go when I'm dead?"
[Chorus]
Is it too much to ask for a sweet dream?
Need a step back from my feelings
Life is not so bad when I'm sleeping
Is it too much to ask, too much to ask for a
A sweet dream?
For a sweet dream
[Verse 2]
6:58, sun's peakin' through the curtains
I drift away, suddenly the wheels are turnin'
Songs are in my head, scary thoughts begin to worsen
Once I'm wide awake, it's too hard to reverse it
[Pre-Chorus]
Chirpin' birds are flying 'round my house
Patchouli candles burnin' out
I try to meditate it all away
But damn, it is too quiet now
Daylight helps distract my head
Monsters hide under my bed
They bother me with all kinds of things like
That one stupid thing I said
[Chorus]
Is it too much to ask for a sweet dream? (Sweet dream)
Need a step back from my feelings (Feelings)
Life is not so bad when I'm sleeping
Is it too much to ask, too much to ask for a
A sweet dream
For a sweet dream
A sweet dream
For a sweet dream
[Bridge]
Sandman, can you visit me?
All I want is a sweet dream
[Verse 3]
8:31, I'm slurrin' every word now
I pray this cold coffee helps me with the rebound
How does everybody I know, know how to sleep sound?
When we're all a mess, I guess the only way out is a
[Outro]
A sweet dream (Sweet dream, sweet dream)
Is a sweet dream (Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah, ah)
A sweet dream (Oh yeah, yeah, ayy, ayy)
Is a sweet dream (Yeah, ayy, ayy)
Videos[]
Track listing[]
| Digital download | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length |
| 1. | "Sweet Dream" | 3:01 |
| Digital download – Lullaby Version | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length |
| 1. | "Sweet Dream Lullaby" (Vocal Mix) | 3:15 |
| 2. | "Sweet Dream Lullaby" (Piano Mix) | 3:32 |
| 3. | "Sweet Dream Lullaby" (Instrumental) | 3:14 |
| Digital download – Sweet Dream EP | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length |
| 1. | "Sweet Dream" | 3:01 |
| 2. | "Sweet Dream Lullaby" (Vocal Mix) | 3:15 |
| 3. | "Sweet Dream Lullaby" (Piano Mix) | 3:32 |
| 4. | "Sweet Dream Lullaby" (Instrumental) | 3:14 |
Trivia[]
- The times 4:55, 6:58, and 8:31 represent the exact times when she wrote the verses.[6]
References[]
- ↑ https://www.nme.com/news/music/alessia-cara-shares-two-new-songs-sweet-dream-and-shapeshifter-2996071
- ↑ https://www.nme.com/news/music/alessia-cara-shares-two-new-songs-sweet-dream-and-shapeshifter-2996071
- ↑ https://open.spotify.com/album/1R5Bximq7WOKjDQffE1zMw?si=EbpLbGSNT5iyi9-DrcBnIw
- ↑ https://www.complex.com/music/a/natalie-harmsen/best-canadian-songs-of-2021
- ↑ https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/alessia-cara-sweet-dream-shapeshifter-late-show-stephen-colbert-1199393/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/Hjiun2k2JcI
[]
v • e  | |
|---|---|
| Featured tracks | "Unboxing Intro" • "Box In The Ocean" • "Bluebird" • "Lie To Me" • "Shapeshifter" • "Fishbowl" • "I Miss You, Don’t Call Me" • "Middle Ground" (with CHIKA) • "Somebody Else" • "Drama Queen" • "Clockwork" • "Best Days" • "Sweet Dream" • "Find My Boy" • "Voice In My Head" • "Slow Lie" • "You Let Me Down" • "Apartment Song" |
| Scrapped tracks | "2nd Unknown Song" • "Sugarplums" |