“Bad Dreams” is a 2024 single from Teddy Swims, featured on his album I’ve Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 2). The song’s meaning dives into the pain of losing someone deeply important and the emotional chaos that follows. With its upbeat, catchy pop sound, it contrasts the lyrics’ desperate plea for relief.
This article breaks down what “Bad Dreams” is really about. We’ll go section by section to explore how the lyrics reveal anxiety, emotional dependency, and a cry for peace during mental overload.
“Bad Dreams” Lyrics Meaning: Line by Line
Verse 1: Losing Light, Losing Control
Sun is going down, time is running out
No one else around but me
The setting sun signals an end, creating a sense of urgency and finality.
The fear of running out of time might be his inner panic, feeling like he’s losing something important.
Being alone adds weight to the situation, as if he’s facing this dark moment entirely by himself.
Steady losing light, steady losing my mind
Moving shadows and grinding teeth
As the light fades, his mental state deteriorates as well.
The repetition of “steady losing” suggests that this decline isn’t sudden but gradual, like something he’s struggling to stop.
The shadows moving could represent his anxiety taking over, while grinding teeth point to stress and the tension building inside him.
Pre-Chorus: No Rest Without Them
Without you, there ain’t no place for me to hide
Without you, there’s no way I can sleep tonight
These lines show how deeply his sense of security relied on the other person. Alone, he feels exposed, unable to escape his overwhelming thoughts.
The inability to sleep suggests that the emotional chaos has taken over, making even basic rest impossible.
What I’d do for a little bit of peace and quiet
Without you, I keep…
This shows just how badly he craves peace.
The line “What I’d do” implies he’d sacrifice almost anything just to find a moment of calm.
Chorus: Trapped in the Pain
Slipping into bad dreams
Where there’s no you and I
No sound when I cry
The bad dreams aren’t just nightmares; they represent a dark emotional place.
The absence of “you” in his dreams is like a cruel reminder that the person is gone.
The silence when he cries shows how deep the isolation is. His pain feels unheard and unnoticed.
I love you and I need you to set me free
From all of these
Bad dreams
Waitin’ on the other side
He’s pleading for release, not just from the dreams but from the constant pain.
The “other side” could symbolize either a place of relief (like peace or sleep) or something more permanent, like emotional healing or even escape from life’s pressure.
No sound when I cry
I love you and I need you to set me free
From all of these, all of these…
Repeating these lines emphasizes the depth of his longing.
It’s as if his cries for help are invisible, unheard, and the pain he’s experiencing is relentless.
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Verse 2: Looking for Help
Baby, please come around, help me settle down
Hellish habits can cloud my head
Now, he’s directly asking for help.
The “hellish habits” could be coping mechanisms like drinking, drugs, or other unhealthy patterns that cloud his judgment.
He knows these habits are making things worse, but he feels trapped.
What you waiting for? Something physical?
I can’t do this by myself
This part shows frustration.
He questions if the other person is only interested in something physical, not realizing how deep his emotional needs go.
The term “physical” could also hint at a darker meaning, possibly suggesting he’s on the edge of harming himself as a way to cope.
He admits that he can’t face his inner demons alone, revealing how desperate he’s become for support.
“Bad Dreams” Song Meaning: Love, Anxiety, and the Fear of Being Alone
“Bad Dreams” is about emotional wreckage. It’s a raw look at what happens when someone loses their anchor and is left to face their worst thoughts alone. The song is filled with sleepless nights, desperate thoughts, and the aching need to feel safe again.
The lyrics show how pain doesn’t always come in loud moments. Sometimes it’s the silence, the dark room, or the absence of someone that hurts the most. Whether the relationship ended, or the person is just gone for a while, the song lives in that in-between space of heartbreak and collapse.
Songs Like “Bad Dreams”
If you’re into songs that mix raw emotion with a powerful voice, here are a few to check out:
1. “All I Want” by Kodaline
“All I Want” captures the sadness of loving someone you can’t have anymore. Like “Bad Dreams,” it’s all about trying to live through heartbreak while clinging to what’s left of the connection.
Related: “All I Want” Song Meaning
2. “From the Dining Table” by Harry Styles
“From the Dining Table” is a quiet breakdown of loneliness and emotional distance. The lyrics are soft, but the pain is sharp, much like the still sadness running through “Bad Dreams.”
3. “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt
“I Can’t Make You Love Me” hits that painful wall where love ends but the feelings don’t. It shares the same emotional weight and helplessness found in “Bad Dreams.”
4. “Another Love” by Tom Odell
“Another Love” is about having nothing left to give after giving everything to someone else. The emotional burnout in the lyrics feels closely tied to the exhaustion heard in “Bad Dreams.”
5. “Lose You to Love Me” by Selena Gomez
“Lose You to Love Me” deals with letting go for the sake of healing. It shares the same sadness but looks a little more toward the light, while “Bad Dreams” is still caught in the storm.
Conclusion: A Cry for Connection in the Dark
“Bad Dreams” explores the overwhelming fear and confusion that come when love fades away, leaving someone alone with their thoughts.
The lyrics depict a person trapped in a cycle of emotional turmoil, desperately longing for someone who might never return.
Teddy Swims captures the rawness of this emotional struggle, making the song feel honest and unrelenting in its portrayal of heartache.
You can listen to “Bad Dreams” on Spotify and Amazon.
Be sure to check out more of our Song Meanings articles!