In Dreams by Ben Howard Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Layers of Existential Contemplation
Lyrics
Always a riddle inside my head
Always a thing to wonder the way we come to be
Oh, it’s a big old place for me, yeah, it’s a big old world indeed
Everyone is killing me and everything conspires
Oh, in dreams I have watched it spin
Seen a violent crack of atoms where all light comes in
Oh, in dreams I have lain in sin
Just to be the cracked and the cared for
How can I ask, ask for more?
Always a riddle in the world she said
Always a riddle inside my head
Always a thing to wonder in the way we come to be
Oh, it’s a big old place for me, yeah
It’s a big old world indeed
Kicking my heels and wondering how I’ve been here so long
Oh, in dreams I have watched it spin
Seen a violent crack of atoms where all light comes in
Oh, in dreams I saw Aesop’s kin
Just a carcass of a man, I belong inside his skin
Mmm
Where to, where to begin?
I live alone, I live a lonely life without you
And I may be troubled but I’m gracious in defeat
Oh, I may be troubled but I’m gracious in defeat
At the heart of Ben Howard’s soul-stirring track, ‘In Dreams,’ lies a profound exploration of existence and the human condition. The lyrics offer more than just a melody—they represent a philosophical tapestry, interwoven with the threads of introspection, existential questions, and a relentless search for meaning.
Howard’s poetic finesse transforms ‘In Dreams’ into an orchestral cascade of wonder and restlessness, inviting listeners to delve deeper into their own consciousness. By dissecting this hauntingly beautiful masterpiece, we uncover the layers that compose not just a song, but a spiritual journey through the peaks and valleys of being.
The Perpetual Enigma: A World of Riddles
Ben Howard begins ‘In Dreams’ with a mystifying proclamation that immediately sets the stage for a journey of self-discovery and universal questioning. The phrase ‘Always a riddle in the world she said’ latches on to the idea that the human experience is intrinsically filled with puzzles to be solved, with truth proving elusive as ever.
The repeated verse echoes like a mantra, encapsulating the endless curiosity and bewilderment that accompanies our attempts to comprehend the reason for our existence and the nature of the world we inhabit. It resonates with a sense of yearning for clarity in a reality that often seems as vast and indecipherable as the night sky.
Cosmic Canvas: A Vision of Creation and Destruction
The song’s centerpiece is a metaphysical spectacle where Howard envisions the violent creation of the universe—a ‘violent crack of atoms where all light comes in.’ This imagery invokes the moment of the Big Bang, capturing the duality of destructive forces giving birth to beauty and life—an eternal cycle that both humbles and empowers.
Amidst this boundless realm, Howard positions himself as both an observer and a participant in the cosmic dance, contending with the insignificance of one’s own existence relative to the grandeur of the universe, while simultaneously acknowledging the preciousness of individual moments and consciousness.
The Solitary Struggle: Embracing the Isolation
As the song’s narrative unfolds, the listener encounters a personal revelation: ‘I live alone, I live a lonely life without you.’ Howard’s candid confession reflects the solitariness that accompanies deep reflection and the search for self. It captures the profound sense of isolation one can feel when grappling with life’s greatest mysteries, the silence between the stars.
But this acknowledgment of loneliness is not simply a statement of despair; it also signifies a sort of peace or acceptance. In recognizing one’s singular journey, Howard implies that there is a quiet dignity in facing the unknown alone, and in that solitude, one might find a unique kind of wisdom and strength.
The Echo of Myth: Linking the Past and Present
Howard’s allusion to ‘Aesop’s kin’ in the line ‘Oh, in dreams I saw Aesop’s kin’ suggests a connection to timeless wisdom and ancient narratives. By referencing the legendary storyteller known for his fables, Howard taps into a shared cultural memory that binds human experiences across time and space, revealing our shared struggles and triumphs.
This invocation of Aesop serves as a reminder that the trials we face and the insights we seek are part of an ongoing dialogue with history, a conversation between the ancients and the moderns, where each generation adds its voice to the age-old quest for meaning.
The Hidden Meaning: ‘Gracious in Defeat’
Perhaps the most gripping part of ‘In Dreams’ comes from its closing lines where Howard admits, ‘And I may be troubled but I’m gracious in defeat.’ This surrender to the tumultuous nature of life’s journey, the acceptance of one’s own vulnerabilities and imperfections, reveals a core message of the song.
This admission doesn’t signify giving up; rather, it signifies a profound understanding that even in facing the incomprehensible or insurmountable, there is grace in the struggle itself. Howard’s words serve as a meditation on humility, resilience, and the intricate beauty found in complex layers of the human spirit.
