ABBA’s “I Have a Dream” is a true classic, having been released in 1979 as the last single from their album Voulez-Vous. The song features Anni-Frid Lyngstad’s signature vocals and was an instant hit, reaching number one in numerous countries. However, it was not until two decades later, when Irish pop group Westlife released their cover of the song in 1999, that “I Have a Dream” truly cemented its place in music history.
Westlife’s version of “I Have a Dream” proved to be an even bigger hit than the original, reaching the top spot in the UK charts during the Christmas week of 1999. The cover added a fresh twist to the beloved classic, breathing new life into the timeless tune.
The song’s lyrics are filled with hope and optimism, expressing a belief in the power of dreams and the existence of angels to guide and support us through life’s challenges.
In this article, we’ll analyze the meaning behind the lyrics, exploring how ABBA conveys the importance of dreams and belief in overcoming adversity.
Table of Contents
Lyrics Interpretation
Before we delve into the story behind this song, let’s take a closer look at each verse of the lyrics.
Verse 1
I have a dream, a song to sing
To help me cope with anything
If you see the wonder of a fairy tale
You can take the future even if you fail
In the first verse, the lyrics introduce the idea of having a dream or a song as a way to cope with life’s challenges. By tapping into the wonder and magic of a fairy tale, the singer suggests that believing in dreams can provide us with the strength and resilience to face the future, even in the face of failure.
Chorus
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I’ll cross the stream – I have a dream
The chorus introduces the concept of angels, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the belief in a higher power or a guiding force. The lyrics convey that this belief in angels helps the singer see the good in everything and provides the courage to take action and move forward. By stating “I’ll cross the stream,” the singer acknowledges that they will face obstacles but remain committed to pursuing their dream.
Verse 2
I have a dream, a fantasy
To help me through reality
And my destination makes it worth the while
Pushing through the darkness still another mile
In the second verse, the lyrics reveal that the dream is not just a simple wish, but a powerful fantasy that can serve as a guiding force through reality. The destination mentioned in the lyrics represents the ultimate goal, making it worth pushing through the darkness and facing the challenges that come with it.
Chorus
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I’ll cross the stream – I have a dream
The chorus is repeated, reinforcing the idea that belief in angels or a higher power can help guide us and give us the strength to overcome obstacles. By expressing this belief, the singer demonstrates a commitment to pursuing their dreams and a willingness to face challenges head-on.
Verse 3
I have a dream, a song to sing
To help me cope with anything
If you see the wonder of a fairy tale
You can take the future even if you fail
The third verse echoes the first verse, restating the importance of having a dream or a song to help cope with life’s challenges. By referring to the wonder of a fairy tale once again, the lyrics emphasize the transformative power of dreams in shaping our future, despite the possibility of failure.
Chorus
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I’ll cross the stream – I have a dream
I’ll cross the stream – I have a dream
The song concludes with a repetition of the chorus, underlining the central themes of belief and determination. The singer’s commitment to crossing the metaphorical stream and pursuing their dream is stated twice, highlighting the importance of perseverance and belief in the face of adversity.
True Meaning Behind “I Have a Dream”
ABBA’s “I Have a Dream” is a song filled with positive vibes, inspiring and motivating listeners to embrace a beautiful life and maintain a positive outlook on the world around them.
However, delving deeper into the lyrics, we find that the song’s meaning extends beyond the surface, touching on themes of goodness, the supernatural, and the journey between life and afterlife.
Angels as Symbols of Goodness and the Supernatural
In the song, ABBA sings of believing in angels, which could be interpreted in two ways. Firstly, angels could symbolize the goodness found in people, representing acts of kindness and heroism that make us believe in the existence of angelic qualities among humans. This interpretation aligns with the lyrics “something good in everything I see.”
Alternatively, the reference to angels could point to the belief in the supernatural and the afterlife. This interpretation becomes more evident when considering the lyrics about “crossing the stream” when the time comes, which could be a metaphor for death and the transition to the afterlife. The mention of crossing a stream may even draw inspiration from Greek mythology, specifically the River Styx, which separates the world of the living from the world of the dead.
Fantasy, Reality, and the Journey to the Destination
The second verse of “I Have a Dream” delves into the concepts of reality and fantasy, possibly referring to the afterlife as a fantasy that helps the singers cope with the real world’s challenges. The lyrics suggest that the dream of a better afterlife enables them to endure the pain and darkness of the present.
The song further speaks of a “destination” that the singers eagerly await, and to reach this destination, they must continue pushing through the darkness, one mile after another. This imagery implies that the real world is viewed as a dark journey, and the singers long for the moment when they reach their ultimate destination, which could symbolize the afterlife or heaven.
Cristy Lane’s Version
In 1980, American country and Christian artist Cristy Lane, known for her hits like “Let Me Down Easy” and “Penny Arcade”, covered ABBA’s “I Have a Dream”. Lane had recently gained a new audience with her religious-themed hit “One Day at a Time”, which topped the charts.
Lane’s version of “I Have a Dream” was produced by Jerry Gillespie and released as a single in December 1980 via Liberty Records and LS Records. It spent several weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, peaking at number 17, making it her final top 20 hit on the chart. The song also charted in New Zealand, reaching number 34.
The single was backed by the B-side “Rio Grande”, and both tracks were included on Lane’s 1981 album of the same name. Billboard magazine praised Lane’s version, describing it as having “a rich south of the border undercurrent” and praising its crystalline production.
Westlife Version
In 1999, the Irish boy band Westlife released their version of ABBA’s “I Have a Dream,” two decades after the original. In the UK and Ireland, the song was released alongside “Seasons in the Sun” and in Australia, it was released with “Flying Without Wings.” The song’s success made it the UK’s number one single for Christmas in 1999, beating Cliff Richard’s charity single “The Millennium Prayer.”
Westlife’s version of “I Have a Dream” was included on their album Coast to Coast in 2000, and it remained on the UK chart for 17 weeks, extending its peak into January 2000. The song was the 26th best-selling single in the UK for 1999 and was the final number one single of the 1990s.
In 2001, the song was re-recorded as part of a UNICEF fund-raising campaign with additional vocals by Indonesian child singer Sinna Sherina Munaf. The song has since received a Platinum sales certification in the UK, with over 707,000 copies sold across physical, digital, and streaming sales. It is the band’s second-best-selling single for both paid-for and combined sales.
Westlife’s cover of “I Have a Dream” remains a cherished holiday classic and an essential part of their discography. It’s no wonder why the song helped the band achieve the highly sought-after Christmas number one spot in the UK.
Conclusion
ABBA’s “I Have a Dream” offers a rich tapestry of meaning, ranging from inspiring messages of hope and positivity to deeper, more profound themes about the nature of goodness, the supernatural, and the journey between life and afterlife.
The song’s lyrics encourage listeners to explore their beliefs and reflect on the hidden meanings, adding an extra layer of depth to this classic track.
By weaving together these complex themes, ABBA has created a song that not only uplifts and motivates listeners but also invites them to ponder life’s mysteries and the possibility of a better existence beyond the present.