“Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” was released in 1983 and became Eurythmics’ biggest hit, serving as the title track of their self-titled album. With its icy synths and hypnotic beat, the song mixes cold detachment with raw honesty. The song’s meaning centers on power, control, and the darker side of desire. Its blunt lyrics and robotic delivery hide deeper feelings of hopelessness, frustration, and survival.
This article breaks down the meaning behind the lyrics in “Sweet Dreams” section by section. It’s an interpretation based on the words themselves and the context of the time.
“Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” Lyrics Meaning: Line by Line
Chorus: Searching for Meaning in a Harsh World
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
These opening lines sound dreamy but carry a bitter edge.
The “sweet dreams” could be a sarcastic jab at the lies people tell themselves, like chasing success, love, or happiness.
The second line shows resignation. Instead of pushing back, there’s a quiet surrender to what the world offers, even if it’s cruel or fake.
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody’s looking for something
This part widens the lens.
No matter where you go, people are chasing something, like money, power, connection, or escape.
It paints the world as restless and hungry. Everyone wants something, but no one really knows if they’ll find it.
Verse: Power and Exploitation
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
These lines dig into human relationships and how twisted they can get.
Some people take advantage. Others allow themselves to be used, maybe for attention, control, or survival.
There’s no ideal love here, just games of power.
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused
It gets even darker here. These lines hint at cycles of dominance and submission, maybe even violence.
Some might read it as a comment on toxic relationships or sexual power dynamics. Even if it’s not about sex, it still taps into that tension.
This could also speak to how broken some people feel inside, accepting pain because it’s familiar.
Bridge: A Spark of Hope
Hold your head up
Keep your head up (Movin’ on)
Hold your head up (Movin’ on)
This is the only spot in the song that pushes toward something positive.
It’s a small voice trying to stay strong in a messed-up world. Even if things are falling apart, there’s still a reason to keep going.
It doesn’t erase the pain, but it says, “Don’t give in.”
“Sweet Dreams” Song Meaning: Power, Pain, and Survival
“Sweet Dreams” strips away illusions. It says people use each other, hurt each other, and keep looking for something that may not exist. It’s cold but honest. There’s no love story here and no fairy tale. It’s just people stuck in patterns of control, submission, and need.
Still, “Sweet Dreams” isn’t completely defeatist. That short line about holding your head up hints at survival. Even when things feel pointless, you can keep moving forward. That’s the closest this song gets to hope.
Songs Like “Sweet Dreams”
If you liked the cold honesty and sharp beat of “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)”, here are some other songs that tap into similar feelings and themes:
1. “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears
“Everybody Wants to Rule the World” explores control, ambition, and the cost of chasing power. Its catchy sound hides some heavy ideas about manipulation and self-interest.
Related: “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” Song Meaning
2. “Enjoy the Silence” by Depeche Mode
“Enjoy the Silence” looks at how words can hurt more than silence and how desire often leads to disappointment. It mixes dark emotion with electronic beats.
3. “Bizarre Love Triangle” by New Order
“Bizarre Love Triangle” captures the confusion of love, betrayal, and repeating emotional mistakes. Like Eurythmics ‘ track, its upbeat rhythm clashes with the sadness in the lyrics.
4. “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell
“Tainted Love” is all about a toxic relationship that keeps pulling someone back in. Like “Sweet Dreams”, it pairs emotional pain with a danceable beat.
5. “Only You” by Yazoo
“Only You” deals with longing and loss, set against a simple electronic backdrop. It shares the same stripped-down style and emotional punch.
Conclusion: A Cold Truth Behind the Beat
“Sweet Dreams” is more than just a catchy synth-pop song. It’s a sharp look at how people use each other and how empty the search for meaning can feel.
Even with all the darkness, there’s a flicker of strength in the lyrics. The message might be bleak, but it’s honest, which is one of the many reasons why the song is still so popular today.
You can listen to “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” on Spotify and Amazon.
Be sure to check out more of our Song Interpretations.