🎵 Top 7 Songs Inspired by Dreams

Ever had a dream so wild, it's like your brain put on a concert? Turns out, legit musicians experience this too!

Did some digging, and found out that The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, and even Kendrick Lamar have dream-inspired songs.

Dreams be crazy, but hey – they make for some wicked tunes!

By the way, if you want to generate your own lyrics about dreams, you need to try our free AI song lyrics generator!

🎵 Top 7 Songs Inspired by Dreams

Yesterday by The Beatles: Paul McCartney's Dream Melody

Picture this: You wake up one morning with a dreamy melody stuck in your head. And, by the way, it's not just any old melody – it's the tune that would become “Yesterday,” one of the most iconic songs in music history.

That's exactly what happened to Sir Paul McCartney.

In 1965, McCartney woke up with this enchanting melody playing on loop in his unconscious mind. Convinced he'd heard it somewhere before, he asked his fellow band members and friends if it sounded familiar.

But when no one could identify it, McCartney took inspiration from his dream and crafted this timeless classic.

From this story alone, we can learn that tapping into our dreams can often lead to incredible bursts of creativity and innovation. So how can you apply this to your own music production?

Well, for starters, keep a notebook or voice recorder by your bedside so you can immediately jot down or hum any ideas that come to you during sleep.

Allow yourself time for daydreaming – sometimes letting your imagination run wild can lead to the most profound musical ideas.

(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones: Keith Richards' Overnight Riff

You may recall the story of how Keith Richards conceived one of rock ‘n' roll’s most legendary riffs while fast asleep (or maybe not so fast asleep). It was 1965 when Richards unintentionally recorded himself playing the riff for “(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction” in his sleep!

Richards was experimenting with his new Gibson Maestro fuzz pedal when he fell asleep with a guitar in hand and tape recorder running beside him.

The next morning, he discovered that overnight magic had taken place as he listened back to 45 minutes of snoring followed by two minutes of pure genius.

So here's the lesson: experiment with new gear, effects, or instruments even if it's right before bedtime. You never know when inspiration will strike, so be ready to capture those fleeting creative moments.

Purple Haze by The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Visualizing the Fuzz

We all know that Jimi Hendrix was a master of fuzz guitar tones, but did you know that his legendary song “Purple Haze” came from a dream he had?

In this surreal vision, Hendrix found himself walking underneath the sea and surrounded by purple haze. This otherworldly experience inspired him to create a song that would evoke the same emotions and atmosphere.

Embrace your dreams' imagery – not just sounds – as potential sources of inspiration for creating music.

Try using keywords from your dreams as prompts for building specific atmospheres or textures in your tracks. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even explore lucid dreaming techniques to gain greater control over your mind and discover new realms of creativity.

Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics: Dave Stewart's Unconscious Influence

Dave Stewart, one half of the famous Eurythmics duo, dreamed up this iconic synth riff while sick in bed with a high fever.

His feverish imagination gifted him with an unforgettable sequence that would become the backbone of their hit single Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).”

The takeaway here is that sometimes our brain works in mysterious ways under stress or illness.

So don't despair if you're feeling under the weather – it might actually be an opportunity for unexpected bouts of creative energy!

Enter Sandman by Metallica: James Hetfield's Nighttime Inspiration

James Hetfield was inspired to write Metallica's monstrous hit Enter Sandmanafter waking up from a nightmare induced by reading Thomas Harris' book “Red Dragon.” The dark, vivid imagery of his dream was enough to set his creative gears in motion.

What this tells us is that inspiration can come from both dreams and the things we consume – books, movies, or even conversations.

So immerse yourself in various forms of art and media to feed your imagination and expand your creative horizons!

Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day: Billie Joe Armstrong's Haunting Sleep Vision

In a dream that would later inspire Green Day's hit songBoulevard of Broken Dreams,” Billie Joe Armstrong wandered along a deserted city street at night.

The eerie scene sparked a deep emotional response that fueled his songwriting process.

Now that I think about it, what could be more powerful than translating raw emotions evoked by a dream into your music?

Consider exploring different ways to convey the feelings and sensations experienced in dreams within your compositions – be it through chord progressions, lyrics, or production techniques.

Dream On by Aerosmith: Steven Tyler's Premonition-Like Dream

As legend has it, Steven Tyler was inspired to write “Dream On” after having a vivid dream about the future success of his band Aerosmith. This premonition-like experience later turned into one of their biggest hits!

All things considered, whether you're dealing with dreams of success or strange storylines from your unconscious mind, there is no denying the immense power held within our dreams as sources for musical inspiration.

So remember to embrace these surreal moments and let them fuel your creativity. After all, some of the world's most iconic songs were born from the depths of slumber!

About Author

Arielle P

Arielle P

Songwriter | Music Producer | Engineer.

With a background in music production and a strong passion for education, Arielle is dedicated to helping emerging artists navigate the music industry. She has worked with a diverse range of artists, from indie rock bands to well-known hip-hop and grime artists. Arielle's unique approach to teaching focuses on empowering artists to take control of their brand, ensuring they retain creative ownership throughout their journey. In her free time, she enjoys experimenting with new sounds in her home studio and sharing her insights through music production tutorials and workshops.

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