Dreamer

Dreamer by Axwell /\ Ingrosso is a modern anthem centered on the themes of hope, resilience, and the unifying power of shared aspirations. At its core, the song addresses the universal human experience of feeling lost or overwhelmed by life's challenges. The lyrics speak directly to anyone feeling the "heaviness" of existence, offering a message of solidarity that they are not alone in their struggles.

The recurring declaration "I promise you, I'm a dreamer too" serves as the song's emotional anchor. It breaks down the barrier between the comforter and the comforted, suggesting that dreaming is a collective act that binds people together. The song suggests that even when material wealth is lacking ("your pockets full of nothing"), the richness of belief and vision can sustain us. It validates the identity of the "dreamer" not as someone who is out of touch with reality, but as someone who possesses the courage to envision a better future.

Implicitly, the song also touches on the bond between the artists and their fans. In the context of electronic dance music culture, "Dreamer" acts as a unifying chant for the crowd, reinforcing the idea of the rave or festival as a safe haven where individuals come together to celebrate life and possibility. The shift from "I" to "We" in the lyrics marks the transition from isolation to community, emphasizing that we are stronger when we dream together.

The narrative of the song begins with a depiction of a solitary figure burdened by the weight of the world. The protagonist addresses someone who feels the heaviness of life pressing down on their heart and mind, painting a picture of them wandering aimlessly through city streets at night. This opening establishes a sense of isolation and struggle, acknowledging the difficulty of carrying personal burdens alone.

As the story progresses, the narrator steps in as a source of comfort and solidarity. They offer themselves as a sanctuary and a beacon of hope for the lost wanderer. By promising to be a "guiding light" and a "stepping stone," the narrator shifts the focus from individual suffering to a shared journey. The core message is revealed through the admission that the narrator is also a "dreamer," bridging the gap between two souls through their mutual aspirations and refusal to give up.

The climax of the lyrical narrative celebrates the power of belief and togetherness. It transforms the initial loneliness into a declaration of unity, asserting that they are "dreamers together, always and forever." The lyrics encourage rising above the material emptiness—where pockets may be full of nothing—by getting "high on believing." Ultimately, the song tells a story of finding strength in community and the resilience of the human spirit to keep dreaming despite the odds.

The history of Dreamer is notable for the significant evolution—and controversy—it underwent between its premiere and its official release. The track was first unveiled by Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso at the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) in October 2016. This early version, often referred to as the "ADE ID," featured a classic Progressive House arrangement reminiscent of Swedish House Mafia's biggest hits like "Don't You Worry Child." Fans immediately embraced this version, eagerly anticipating its release as a return to the duo's roots.

However, when the song was officially released on December 8, 2017, the production had been drastically altered. The soaring progressive chords were replaced with a slower, trap-influenced "Future Bass" drop, a style that was trending in the pop-EDM world at the time. This change caused a massive backlash among the fanbase, who felt the new direction lacked the energy and emotion of the original ID. The song features vocals by Canadian singer Trevor Guthrie, known for his work on Armin van Buuren's "This Is What It Feels Like."

The track was co-written by the duo along with Salem Al Fakir and Vincent Pontare (also known as Vargas & Lagola), who are frequent collaborators with the artists. In response to the fan outcry regarding the stylistic change, a remix by Matisse & Sadko was released shortly after, which closely recreated the original Progressive House sound of the ADE premiere, effectively giving fans the version they had initially fallen in love with.

The lyrics follow a simple and accessible rhyme scheme, primarily AABB or ABAB, which contributes to the song's catchiness and singability. For example, "heart/start" (implied in rhythm) or "home/alone" (perfect rhyme) and "believing/dreamer too" (rhythmic flow). The simplicity of the rhymes—"together/forever"—is intentional, designed to be easily memorized and shouted by large crowds at festivals.

Rhythmically, the vocal melody is syncopated but grounded, often landing heavily on the downbeat during key phrases like "I am a dreamer too." The tempo of the official release is around 128 BPM (standard for House), but the half-time drum pattern in the drop gives it a slower, groovier feel (around 64/75 BPM feel) compared to the driving 4/4 kick of the Progressive House remix. This half-time rhythm creates a swaying, lighters-in-the-air atmosphere rather than a high-energy jumping vibe.

Musically and lyrically, the song employs several techniques to maximize its anthemic quality:

• Contrast in Arrangement: The official release utilizes a stark contrast between the stripped-back, melodic verses and the heavy, rhythmic drop. The verses feature clean piano chords and Trevor Guthrie's emotive vocals, building a sense of intimacy. The drop then introduces heavy 808 basslines and chopped vocal synths, a hallmark of the Future Bass genre.
• Call and Response: The lyrical structure often feels like a conversation, with the narrator responding to the listener's unspoken struggles.
• Repetition (Anaphora): The repetition of "I can promise you" acts as a rhetorical device to build trust and certainty. It reinforces the commitment of the speaker to the listener.
• The Build-Up: Typical of EDM, the song uses rising tension—through accelerating drums and rising pitch—to lead into the chorus/drop, physically mirroring the emotional "lift" described in the lyrics.
• Group Vocals: In the chorus, the vocal texture often thickens or feels layered, simulating a crowd singing along, which enhances the communal "We are dreamers" message.

"Dreamer" holds a unique place in the legacy of Axwell /\ Ingrosso. While it was a commercial success, achieving Gold and Platinum certifications in countries like Sweden and Italy, its cultural impact is deeply tied to the discourse it sparked within the EDM community regarding "mainstream" vs. "underground" sounds.

The song is often cited as a prime example of the "ID dilemma," where a demo version played live becomes more beloved than the final studio product. The release of the Matisse & Sadko Remix became a cultural fix, satisfying the "Progressive House purists" and keeping the song in rotation in DJ sets that required higher energy. Despite the mixed reception of the production, the lyrics have cemented it as a modern festival staple, often used as a closing track to leave audiences with a sense of unity. It marks one of the final major releases of the duo before the reunion of Swedish House Mafia in 2018.

The lyrics of "Dreamer" rely on elemental and spatial imagery to convey emotional states.

• Heaviness vs. High: The song contrasts the physical sensation of burden ("Heavy on your heart," "Heavy on your feet") with the weightlessness of hope ("Let's get high on believing"). This vertical opposition symbolizes the uplifting power of optimism to counteract the gravity of depression or struggle.
• The Road and Streets: The imagery of "wandering the streets" and "walking down the winding road" serves as a metaphor for the journey of life. It represents uncertainty and the feeling of being lost without a destination.
• Guiding Light / Stepping Stone: The narrator describes themselves using these metaphors of support. A "guiding light" represents direction and clarity in darkness, while a "stepping stone" implies offering stability and help in moving forward. These symbols reinforce the theme of altruism and mentorship.
• Empty Pockets: The line "pocket's full of nothing" symbolizes material poverty or a lack of tangible success. However, it is juxtaposed with "believing," suggesting that spiritual or emotional wealth (dreams) is more valuable than material possessions.

The central motif of the song is the phrase "I am a dreamer too." This line is repeated constantly, serving as the song's thesis statement. It acts as a bridge, leveling the hierarchy between the artist and the fan, or the savior and the saved.

Another recurring hook is "Let's get high on believing." This phrase encapsulates the song's method of escapism—not through substances, but through faith in the future. Musically, the melody associated with the line "We are dreamers together" is the earworm that defines the track, often doubled by synthesizers in the drop to ensure it sticks in the listener's mind.