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“These 13 Songs Depict Vivid Dreams” features music courtesy of Bishop Briggs, BØRNS, Hamilton Leithauser, Kali Uchis, and The National among others.

“A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes”. Sigh. “I Dreamed a Dream”. Glorious. “Dream On”. Like, totally ROCK on. There are numerous songs written about dreams – far too many to analyze or write about all of them. We wouldn’t dare try to be ambitious enough to go throughout the course of music history and find every song that depicts vivid dreams. But, on These 13 Songs Depict Vivid Dreams, we have selected 13 contemporary songs that features the word ‘dream’ or ‘dreams’ in the song title or is associated with dreams. Artists appearing on this playlist include Bishop Briggs, BØRNS, Hamilton Leithauser, Kali Uchis, and The National.

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1. The National, “The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness”

Sleep Well Beast • 4AD • 2017

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We start off this playlist right with a true gem – “The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness”.  Of the crowning achievement from Sleep Well Best, the Grammy-winning alternative music album courtesy of The National, frontman Matt Berninger described “System” as, “An abstract portrait of the weird time we’re in”. That explains the odd vibes of the record.  On the first verse, lyrically, he’s disappointed and arguably, deceived.

“Maybe I listen more than you think

I can tell that somebody sold you

We said we’ve never let anyone in

We said we’d only die of lonely secrets.”

Such deception continues on throughout the chorus section. Likewise, the second verse finds Berninger surprised by the condition of things, approached like a relationship.

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2. BØRNS, “Sweet Dreams”

Blue Madonna • Interscope • 2018

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BØRNS flaunts his tender, but beautiful vocals on “Sweet Dreams”, a highlight from his sophomore album, Blue Madonna. His falsetto is on-point, while his overall execution is smooth, yet energetic. “Sweet Dreams” is well organized in regards to form, while the lyrics are straightforward and memorable. The production thrills, as it does throughout the course of the album.

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3. Hayley Kiyoko, “Palm Dreams”

Expectations • EMPIRE • 2018

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Rising pop artist Hayley Kiyoko brings a lot to the table on her debut album, Expectations.  Throughout the course of Expectations, her voice is a huge selling point. That said, her openness about her sexuality that gives the albuman extra bite.  On “Palm Dreams,” sexuality plays a lesser role compared to other songs on the album. “Palm Dreams” benefits from a ‘head-nodding’ groove and sleek production. What exactly are these ‘palm dreams’ that Kiyoko speaks of? Well, California, of course!

“From the hillside (they can party with us)
To the valley (they can party with us)
Watch the sun come up and warm my body
California (they can party with us)
Just a bad dream (they can party with us)
I will hang around until you break me.”

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4. NF, “Dreams”

Perception • Capitol • 2017

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Ah, the Perception, sigh. NF scored a rare number one Christian rap album in 2017, which is best known for the hit single “Let You Down”. In the context of Perception, our dream-oriented record, “Dreams” follows the triumphant single, “Green Lights”. On “Dreams” he’s a bit down because his job keeps him busy, and to some extent, he feels as if he’s lost his identity.  On the third verse, he seems to reminisce back on a relationship, regretting being neglectful: “I know I’ve been distant, you know I never meant that.”

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5. Kali Uchis, “In My Dreams”

Isolation • Virgin • 2018

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Colombian-American singer Kali Uchis shines on her debut album, Isolation.  The song at hand, “In My Dreams” continues the modus operandi of Isolation as a whole – vintage. The sound is a fusion of psychedelia, 80s, and alternative. The keyboard work – the synths – is a big selling point.  The chorus is also quite catchy.  Listening to “In My Dreams” is ‘like a dream’ in itself.

“Everything is just wonderful here in my dreams
Here in my dreams
Every day is a holiday when you’re living inside your dreams
Why would anyone stay awake after being so sound asleep?
Everything is just wonderful in my dreams.”

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6. G-Eazy, “But a Dream”

The Beautiful & Damned • RCA • 2017

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Bay Area rap superstar G-Eazy had a big year in 2017.  His third studio album, The Beautiful & Damned was a success, led by banging top-10 single, “No Limit”, featuring A$AP Rocky and Cardi B. While “No Limit” doesn’t fit the criteria for any vivid dreams, “But a Dream” does. “But a Dream” commences with pitch-shifted vocals from G-Eazy on the hook. By the first verses, the listener is reacquainted with his distinct, Bay Area sound and tone.  As always, his flow is compelling, while the production work by Dillon Francis is a selling point.

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7. Bishop Briggs, “Dream”

Church of Scars • Island • 2018

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British-American singer Bishop Briggs delivered an enjoyable, well-rounded full-length debut album with Church of Scars.  Despite being a brief album at 10 tracks clocking in at 33 minutes, Briggs makes the most of it, stating her case as alternative music’s next big thing. “Dream,” the fifth track from the LP, benefits from its thudding beat, and a blend of folk-driven pop and the electronic cues.  Perhaps it’s not quite the showstopper like gems “River”, “Wild Horses,” or “Hollow,” the most important element is intact – her dynamic voice.

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8. Beck, “Dreams”

Colors • Capitol • 2017

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“Dreams”, a highlight from Colors (2017), is one of the grooviest songs Beck has ever released.  The rhythmic guitars, acoustic and electric, bring the production work to life. Beck’s vocals don’t hurt either, bursting with enthusiasm, particularly the chorus where he sings, “She’s making me high / She’s making me high.” After the three-minute mark, there’s an unexpected change of pace.  This bridge keeps things interesting, eliminating predictability.  This brief switch slackens the pace down, yet has an infectious, funky sound.  All in all, “Dreams” is a success, superbly blending pop and alt cues.

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9. Lindsey Webster, “Dream”

Love Inside • Shanachie • 2018

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Jazz/pop vocalist Lindsey Webster showcases the smoothest version of herself on “Dream,” a gem from her 2018 album, Love Inside. Listening to this ballad, vocally, it sounds as if she’s floating on the clouds up in the skies. In other words, the results are radiant – stunning to the nth degree.  While she’s ‘killer’ in any register, it’s her upper register that’s particularly impressive here.  Those upper tones sound effortless.

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10. Rostam, “Bike Dream”

Half-Light • Nonesuch • 2017

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Rostam Batmanglij, who simply goes by Rostam, ‘has it going on’ on “Bike Dream”, a highlight from his 2017 solo album, Half-Light.  “Bike Dream” is a well-produced, well-written, and overall, captivating record. Vocally, he holds his own, even if there’s still the anticipation to hear his former bandmate, Ezra Koenig (Vampire Weekend) take the lead. “Bike Dream” commences with bold, dynamic sounds that instantly grab attention. There’s a driving quality that keeps things moving forward and maintaining energy. By the chorus – the crème de la crème – the listener has a clear idea where Rostam is going with the performance.

“Two boys, one to kiss your neck

And one to bring you breakfast

Get you out of bed when

You’re sore from the night before

From knocking at my door

Your head against the floor boards…”

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11. A$AP Ferg, “Trap and a Dream”

Ft. Meek Mill

Still Striving • RCA • 2017

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A$AP Rocky gets off to a fast start on his mixtape, Still Striving, with “Trap and a Dream,” featuring Meek Mill. One word: BANGER. The trap is alive and well, with malicious production comprised of trap percussion, sub bass, and hellish synths. What a celestial damning experience, if such a thing exists! A$AP Ferg is on autopilot from the jump, while the same can be said of a fully ‘turnt up’ Meek Mill.

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12. Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam, “A 1000 Times”

I Had a Dream That You Were Mine • Glassnote • 2016

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“A thousand times, a thousand times / I’ve had that dream a thousand times.” In 2016, the distinctly-voiced Hamilton Leithauser (formerly of The Walkmen) and Rostam Batmanglij (formerly of Vampire Weekend) recorded an album together. Magic, right? Of course! The album was entitled, I Had a Dream That You Were Mine.  The title of the album serves as the opening line of the dynamic opening song, “A 1000 Times.” While “A 1000 Times” bucks a trend of song titles that feature some form of the word dream in their title, it constantly references Leithauser’s vivid dream.

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13. J. Cole, “Wet Dreamz”

2014 Forest Hills Drive • Roc Nation • 2014

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On “Wet Dreamz,” a highlight from 2014 Forest Hills Drive, J. Cole bluntly depicts his sexual awakening. As the title suggests, his awakening includes those pubescent occurrences known as wet dreams (nocturnal emissions if you want to be technical). Beyond those dreams, Cole raps about losing his virginity, and he doesn’t spare us the details. While he pretends he’s “experienced” in order to impress his crush, he’s ultimately a clueless virgin. “Wet Dreamz” appeared on a previous playlist, Songs Where Musicians Were Sexually Awakened. Fitting, right?

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Photo Credits: 4AD, Interscope, EMPIRE, Capitol, Virgin, RCA, Island, Shanachie, Nonesuch, Glassnote, Columbia

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