The song isn’t about what most people think it’s about. It’s not happiness and sweet dreams; it’s all irony and sarcasm about the lousy times the band was having.
Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart were in Australia. Their band, the Tourists, had crashed and burned, and they were staying in hostels and other not-so-nice places. The two of them despaired at anything to do with music. They were a romantic couple, but the stress killed their relationship. Still, they remained musical partners even at their worst. Stewart tells the story of just sitting around with a few gadgets, noodling with various ideas. One of them caught their attention, and the “round-and-round” nature of it eventually became “Sweet Dreams.”
Against the Grain
Lennox wore a suit and cropped her hair short for the video. She wanted to be the exact opposite of the stereotypical diva with the flowy dresses, long wavy hair, and buckets of conformity. In the video she both dons and removes wigs, and this indicated her disdain for being fake and changing into what people want you to be rather than simply being yourself. Both Lennox and Stewart want to make the point that the “this” of which sweet dreams are made is awful. You have these dreams of world travel, glamorous lifestyles, lots of money, and the rest of the trappings that go with being a global music star. But, instead, you wind up thoroughly spent, on the verge of chucking it all and going home, and being on the edge of depression. That’s where the irony comes in. And, it almost didn’t happen. Lennox said that Stewart just started playing something small, and she, in spite of herself, thought it was interesting and played along. The two of them created the song, layer by layer, after that.
Chart Performance and Legacy
The song mesmerized listeners. It was No. 1 in a half dozen countries and No. 2 in a half dozen more. It topped the U.S. Billboard 100 for a week in September of 1983 and spent 26 weeks in total on the chart. The song was unusual in that it didn’t have a chorus, and as such, it influenced many artists in the intervening 40 years. Artists have also pulled stunts similar to Lennox and Stewart using a cow in the video for “Sweet Dreams.” From Kermit the Frog to a rapping barn owl, animals have featured in many videos since 1983.
Other Media
The combination of a dark theme and the song’s enduring popularity make it a common choice in the soundtracks of movies and television programs. The song has an international appeal, as well, and it’s appeared in both German and French movies as well as those from the U.S. and the U.K. Both dancing and singing reality shows have featured the song, and it’s been in sitcoms like “Everybody Hates Chris.”
Lyrics
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody’s looking for something
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody’s looking for something
Hold your head up, keep your head up, movin’ on
Hold your head up, movin’ on, keep your head up, movin’ on
Hold your head up, movin’ on, keep your head up, movin’ on
Hold your head up, movin’ on, keep your head up
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody’s looking for something
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody’s looking for something
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody’s looking for something
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody’s looking for something
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree
I travel the world and the seven seas
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Annie Lennox / David Allan Stewart
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) lyrics © D-n-a Ltd.
Listeners that enjoy this song about Desire may also enjoy the song Kyrie Eleison by Mr. Mister
