Released in 2008, “Walking on a Dream” is an electropop track by Australian duo Empire of the Sun about chasing a dream you can barely put into words, and finding someone to chase it with you.
Below is a section-by-section interpretation of the lyrics in “Walking on a Dream.”
- Song: Walking on a Dream
- Artist: Empire of the Sun
- Songwriters: Luke Steele, Nick Littlemore, Donnie Sloan
- Released: 2008
- Album: Walking on a Dream
- Genre: Electropop
What is “Walking on a Dream” About?
Verse 1: Something He Can’t Explain
Walking on a dream
How can I explain?
It seems like he’s in disbelief about his current situation.
It’s as if life has become so surreal or ideal that he struggles to find the right words to describe it.
Talking to myself
Will I see again?
He might be questioning his own perception or wondering if he’s lost sight of what’s actually real.
It’s like he feels completely isolated here, as if he’s trapped in his own head, hoping for a moment of clarity.
Read another way, he may have reached a peak in his life and he’s wondering if he’ll ever be back in this situation.
Pre-Chorus: Never Looking Down
We are always running for the thrill of it, thrill of it
Always pushing up the hill, searching for the thrill of it
He’s describing the human tendency to keep moving and striving, even when it’s difficult.
The “hill” represents the struggles of life, but the focus remains on the excitement of the journey rather than the exhaustion of the climb.
On and on and on, we are calling out, out again
Never looking down, I’m just in awe of what’s in front of me
He’s so focused on what’s ahead that he doesn’t stop to look back or worry about failing.
Whatever is in front of him is enough to keep him going.
Chorus: Unity
Is it real now?
Two people become one
He’s been drifting through this dream-like state, unsure what’s real. Now something is happening that feels almost too significant to trust.
Two people becoming one could mean a relationship finally clicking into place, his creative partnership coming together, or even two sides of himself reconciling as he grows into who he’s becoming.
Verse 2: Changing All the Time
Thought I’d never see
The love you found in me
He didn’t think he had this in him.
Someone else believed in him before he believed in himself, and that’s what’s changing everything.
Of course, if he’s talking to himself, this could mean that he’s learned to love and believe in himself.
Now it’s changing all the time
Living in a rhythm where the minute’s working overtime
He’s fully in it now, and time feels different because of it.
Every minute feels like it matters more than it normally would.
Bridge: Losing Balance
Catch me, I’m falling down
All that confidence and forward momentum, and suddenly he’s losing his footing.
Getting close to something you’ve worked hard for can feel just as scary as never reaching it.
Verse 3: Pushing Through
Don’t stop, just keep going on
I’m your shoulder, lean upon
He’s talking to someone else now, telling them not to quit and offering himself as support.
Whatever they’re chasing, they’re doing it together.
Again, an alternative reading is that this could be inner dialogue, and he’s trying to support himself.
So come on, deliver from inside
All we got is tonight, that is right ’til first light
It’s all about making the most of the moment.
Since the future is uncertain and the “dream” might fade by morning, he’s focused on giving everything he has right now.
“Walking on a Dream” Song Meaning: Chasing Something You Can’t Quite Name
“Walking on a Dream” is about chasing something you can barely name while fearing it might not even be real.
He starts alone, full of doubt, unsure if he’ll ever see clearly. By the end, he could be pushing forward with someone beside him, or he could have learned to believe in himself enough to be his own support.
Either way, the answer to “Is it real now?” seems to be yes. Whether that validation comes from another person or from within, something has finally clicked into place.
Songs Like “Walking on a Dream”
Here are some songs that have similar themes and vibes:
1. “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence and the Machine
Florence and the Machine’s hit song is about running toward something better and leaving the past behind. The feeling of momentum building toward something unknown is key in both songs.
Related: “Dog Days Are Over” Meaning
2. “You Make My Dreams” by Hall & Oates
This 1980 track is all about the feeling of being lit up by someone and carried somewhere you couldn’t have gotten on your own.
3. “Midnight City” by M83
This 2011 synth-pop song is about the pull of the city at night and that feeling of being drawn toward something without needing to know exactly what it is.
Conclusion
“Walking on a Dream” is definitely open to interpretation, but to me it feels like a snapshot of a moment where everything is clicking into place, even if it feels a bit unstable. The dream might be real, it might fade by morning, but the only thing to do is keep running toward it.
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