“A Million Dreams” is a song performed by Ziv Zaifman, Hugh Jackman, and Michelle Williams for the film The Greatest Showman (2017). It is the second track from soundtrack of the film, The Greatest Showman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, released in the same year.
“A Million Dreams” is sung by the young P. T. Barnum (Ziv Zaifman) to his future wife Charity Hallett (Michelle Williams). He tells her of his dreams for the future and explains his confidence that if they work hard for it, they will come true.
In this article, we’ll explain the meaning behind the lyrics.
“A Million Dreams” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
I close my eyes and I can see
A world that’s waiting up for me
That I call my own
Through the dark, through the door
Through where no one’s been before
But it feels like home
In Verse 1, the singer begins with the line “I close my eyes and I can see” where P. T. Barnum is using his imagination, envisioning something in his mind’s eye.
Here, Barnum is dreaming of a world that’s full of possibilities and opportunities, as he sings, “A world that’s waiting up for me.”
The line “That I call my own” implies that he envisions a world where he has control and ownership, where he can shape his destiny.
In the lines “Through the dark, through the door Through where no one’s been before But it feels like home” Barnum is stepping into the unknown, into uncharted territory, and it might be intimidating. However, despite the uncertainty, he feels a sense of belonging and comfort in this new world he’s imagining.
[Pre-Chorus]
They can say, they can say it all sounds crazy
They can say, they can say I’ve lost my mind
I don’t care, I don’t care, so call me crazy
We can live in a world that we design
In the Pre-Chorus, the singer acknowledges that others may view his dreams and aspirations as unrealistic or unconventional, as expressed in the lines “They can say, they can say it all sounds crazy.” In other words, People around him might think he’s being foolish or daring to dream big.
The line “They can say, they can say I’ve lost my mind” suggests that others might even question his sanity or judgment because of his unconventional ambitions.
Despite the skepticism and criticism, Barnum remains undeterred. He expresses his indifference to what others think and is willing to embrace the label of being “crazy” if it means pursuing his dreams, singing, “I don’t care, I don’t care, so call me crazy.”
The line “We can live in a world that we design” emphasizes Barnum’s belief in the power of imagination and creativity. He sees the possibility of creating a world of his own design, one where he can realize his dreams and aspirations.
[Chorus]
‘Cause every night I lie in bed
The brightest colors fill my head
A million dreams are keepin’ me awake
I think of what the world could be
A vision of the one I see
A million dreams is all it’s gonna take
Oh, a million dreams for the world we’re gonna make
In the Chorus, the lyrics “Cause every night I lie in bed, The brightest colors fill my head, A million dreams are keepin’ me awake.” describe the sheer excitement and optimism P. T. Barnum has when he thinks about his dreams. Here, the imagery of “brightest colors” symbolizes the vibrant ideas and possibilities that occupy Barnum’s thoughts. He’s so motivated and driven by these dreams that he can’t rest, as they are constantly on his mind.
In the lines “I think of what the world could be, A vision of the one I see, A million dreams is all it’s gonna take,” P. T. Barnum’s reflecting on his contribution to making the world a better place.
Barnum has a clear and vivid vision of the world he envisions. He believes that by holding onto his dreams and working towards them, he can achieve remarkable things and make a significant impact, as he sings, “A vision of the one I see, A million dreams is all it’s gonna take.”
[Verse 2]
There’s a house we can build
Every room inside is filled
With things from far away
Special things I compile
Each one there to make you smile
On a rainy day
In Verse 2, the lines “There’s a house we can build, Every room inside is filled, With things from far away,” suggest the idea of building a new house, which symbolizes the potential for a fresh start and the opportunity to construct a better life.
Here, Barnum envisions a house where every room is filled with exotic and extraordinary items from distant places. This imagery reflects his longing for a life filled with wonder, adventure, and unique experiences.
In the lines, “Special things I compile, Each one there to make you smile, On a rainy day,” P. T. Barnum expresses his intention to collect special and delightful things to bring joy and happiness, especially during difficult times.
[Bridge]
However big, however small
Let me be part of it all
Share your dreams with me
You may be right, you may be wrong
But say that you’ll bring me along
To the world you see
To the world I close my eyes to see
I close my eyes to see
In the Bridge, the singer expresses the idea of unity, shared dreams, and the importance of bringing others along on one’s journey.
The lines, “However big, however small, Let me be part of it all, Share your dreams with me,” convey the idea that it doesn’t matter the scale of one’s dreams, whether they are grand or modest, they are all equally valuable and important, and the singer wants to be part of their dreams.
In the lines “You may be right, you may be wrong, But say that you’ll bring me along, To the world you see,” Barnum acknowledges that not everyone may share the same dreams or perspectives, and that’s okay. However, he asks them to see the world through his eyes and experience the magic of his vision.
The repetition of the phrase “To the world I close my eyes to see I close my eyes to see” underscores the idea that closing one’s eyes and envisioning a better world is a powerful and transformative act.
Deeper Meaning Behind “A Million Dreams”
“A Million Dreams,” a song from the movie “The Greatest Showman” performed by Hugh Jackman as P. T. Barnum, is an anthem that celebrates the boundless potential of the human imagination.
The song encourages us to embrace our dreams, no matter how extravagant they may seem, and to pursue them with unwavering faith and unity, ultimately creating a better and more fulfilling world.
The title suggests that within the mind of the protagonist P. T. Barnum, there are countless dreams and visions waiting to be realized.
It portrays P. T. Barnum as an imaginative visionary who refuses to be constrained by societal norms and dares to dream big. His dreams serve as a driving force, propelling him forward despite criticism and doubt, as Barnum declares, “The brightest colors fill my head, a million dreams are keepin’ me awake.”
Barnum’s willingness to embrace the unconventional and invite others to share in his vision is symbolized by the refrain, “Let me be part of it all, share your dreams with me.”
Justin Paul, one of the songwriters, explained the meaning behind the song to Genius:
“We wanted to show a couple of things. One, that this flame of a dreamer that is Barnum always has a vision. He always wanted life to be larger and colorful than it was. We wanted to show that’s the kind of thing that ran through the character from when he was a kid to being an adult.
But for the story, we thought it would also be interesting and ironic that he expresses this dream as a kid and when we meet Hugh Jackman as an adult now. He still has that same dream and he still hasn’t found that thing. He still hasn’t built the house, so to speak. He hasn’t been good on the promise he makes to himself and Charity. So that dream is kept alive.”
Ultimately, the message is simple: dreams can change the world, and it takes many of them to make it better. Keep dreaming and chasing your aspirations because they drive personal and societal progress and growth.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.