Am I Dreaming

“Am I Dreaming” is a multi-layered anthem of resilience, identity, and perseverance, deeply intertwined with the narrative of the film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. The song channels the perspective of the film's protagonist, Miles Morales, capturing his internal and external struggles. The overarching theme is the refusal to give up despite facing overwhelming opposition and feeling isolated. The recurring question, "Am I dreamin', is there more like us?", speaks to Miles' search for connection and belonging in the vast multiverse, wondering if others share his unique burdens and convictions.

A$AP Rocky’s verse grounds the superhero narrative in a relatable human experience, reflecting on a journey from hardship to success while staying true to one's roots. He parallels his own life with Miles' journey, touching on themes of family, community, and the mixing of different worlds. Roisee’s verses and the powerful chorus articulate the emotional core of the song: the feeling of being beaten down but finding the inner strength to continue fighting. Her lyrics convey a sense of defiance against a world that seems determined to see her fail, a sentiment that directly mirrors Miles' conflict with the Spider-Society in the film. Ultimately, the song is a powerful exploration of what it means to be a hero, to define one's own destiny, and to hold onto hope and self-belief even when it feels like you're fighting alone.

The narrative begins with a declaration of unwavering resolve, a refusal to accept defeat. The protagonist feels bruised and embattled, questioning the reality of their situation and searching for others who share their struggle, asking, "Am I dreamin', is there more like us?" This sense of isolation is coupled with the overwhelming feeling that the challenges are almost too much to bear, yet the spirit of perseverance remains unbroken. It’s a candid acknowledgment of feeling beaten down but refusing to surrender.

A second voice enters, reflecting on a journey from humble beginnings to success. This character wakes up feeling grateful, lacing up their favorite sneakers and recognizing their own uniqueness. There's a sense of urgency and purpose, a nod to the responsibility they feel, symbolized by kissing their mother on the forehead before facing a "code red." This journey is rooted in a specific place, a "concrete jungle," with cultural touchstones like beef patties and cornbread grounding the narrative in a tangible reality. The transformation from living "down bad" in a family home to financial success is stark, but the connection to roots remains. The coexistence of "rich friends and my broke friends" speaks to a world where success hasn't erased the past or the diverse relationships that shaped the journey.

The central theme of resilience is continually reinforced through a recurring chorus. It’s a powerful refrain that captures the duality of feeling overwhelmed while simultaneously finding the strength to continue fighting. This repetition emphasizes the relentless nature of the struggle and the equally relentless determination to endure it.

Another perspective is introduced, this one expressing an internal conflict about walking away from the fight. There's an inability to abandon everything they've worked for, even when it feels like the entire world is against them, wishing for their failure. This voice confronts fear head-on, staring adversity in the face even when things look dire. A shift occurs towards self-empowerment with the lines, "I choose me now, what's wrong with that?" It's a moment of reclaiming agency, of deciding that self-preservation and self-belief are paramount, even if it means questioning who truly offered support in the past. This introspective turn reinforces the idea that the ultimate battle is often internal, a fight for one's own sense of worth and direction in the face of external pressure.

"Am I Dreaming" was created for the soundtrack of the 2023 animated film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, with Metro Boomin serving as the executive producer for the entire album. The song was officially released on June 2, 2023. The creation process began when Metro Boomin asked his frequent collaborator, instrumentalist Peter Lee Johnson, to create a string arrangement with a "maximalist" feel, inspired by the themes of 2010s-era Kanye West. According to film co-writer and co-producer Phil Lord, Metro then took this string sample and worked with producer Mike Dean to layer synths over it, forming the foundational instrumental for the track. The song was written by Metro Boomin (Leland Wayne), A$AP Rocky (Rakim Mayers), and Roisee (Uriel Brush), along with producers Mike Dean, Peter Lee Johnson, and Scriptplugg (Landon Wayne). The track was praised for its introduction of the rookie artist Roisee to a mainstream audience and was even shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 96th Academy Awards, though it did not receive a final nomination.

The song's rhythm is built around a steady, mid-tempo trap beat with a 4/4 time signature and a tempo of 90 BPM. This deliberate pace provides a strong, grounding foundation for the soaring, dramatic string melody and the vocal performances. The interplay between the classical strings and the modern hip-hop percussion is a key element of the song's feel, creating a sense of epic struggle.

A$AP Rocky's verse features a confident, conversational flow with a mix of rhyme schemes. He uses internal rhymes ("down bad in my folks' crib / Now I'm laughin' to the bank and the joke is") and multi-syllable rhymes ("coexist" / "what it is") to create a smooth, intricate texture. Roisee's chorus is rhythmically powerful and repetitive, using a simple but effective rhyme scheme that emphasizes the core message. The rhyme on "lost" and "us" is a near rhyme, which adds a subtle tension that fits the song's theme of unresolved struggle. The rhythmic cadence of the hook, "Not done fighting, I don't feel I've lost / Am I dreamin', is there more like us?", makes it a memorable and impactful refrain.

Musically, "Am I Dreaming" is defined by its powerful juxtaposition of styles. It blends a lush, cinematic string quartet sample in A minor with a hard-hitting trap beat, creating a unique baroque pop and alternative hip-hop sound. The use of "maximalist violins," inspired by 2010s Kanye West production, gives the song a grand, emotional, and heroic quality. The tempo is a relatively slow 90 BPM, which allows the emotional weight of the strings and vocals to resonate.

Lyrically, the song employs a narrative perspective shift. A$AP Rocky and Roisee both rap and sing from the viewpoint of the film's protagonist, Miles Morales, creating a composite voice of his inner struggle. A$AP Rocky's verse uses vivid imagery and cultural references ("lacin' up my favorite 1s," "beef patty, cornbread") to ground the abstract theme of heroism in a specific, personal reality. The vocal delivery is dynamic, ranging from Roisee's soaring, determined chorus to A$AP Rocky's confident and reflective rap flow, mirroring the emotional arc of the song from doubt to resolve.

"Am I Dreaming" achieved significant cultural impact primarily through its association with the critically acclaimed and commercially successful film, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. As the song that plays during the film's closing credits, it leaves a lasting emotional impression on the audience, solidifying the movie's themes of resilience and identity. The song was praised by critics and received widespread attention, leading to it being shortlisted for Best Original Song at the 96th Academy Awards.

The track performed well on music charts internationally, peaking at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, and charting in Canada, France, Ireland, and the UK. It became a fan-favorite from the soundtrack, lauded for its cinematic quality and the powerful introduction of singer Roisee to a global audience. The song's blend of orchestral and hip-hop elements was seen as a perfect sonic reflection of the film's innovative and expansive visual style, contributing to the soundtrack's overall success and its role in defining the cultural moment of the movie's release.

The central metaphor of the song is the idea of "dreaming." This works on multiple levels. On one hand, it represents the surreal, almost unbelievable nature of the challenges faced by the protagonist, making them question their reality. On the other hand, it symbolizes hope and aspiration—the dream of a better outcome and the search for a community ("Is there more like us?") that understands.

A$AP Rocky's verse uses concrete imagery to symbolize his journey and connection to his roots, which parallels Miles Morales' story. "Lacin' up my favorite 1s" is a nod to the iconic Air Jordan 1 sneakers featured in the film, representing identity and preparedness. The mention of "beef patty, cornbread" represents his cultural heritage and the home he fights for. The "concrete jungle" is a classic metaphor for a challenging urban environment from which one must rise.

Roisee's lyrics about not being afraid to "look death in the face" function as a metaphor for confronting one's greatest fears and the ultimate stakes of their battle, which for Miles includes the potential loss of his loved ones and his own identity.

The most significant recurring phrase is the chorus: "Not done fighting, I don't feel I've lost / Am I dreamin'? Is there more like us?". This couplet serves as the song's thesis, encapsulating the themes of relentless perseverance and the search for solidarity. Its repetition throughout the song transforms it from a question of doubt into a declaration of defiance. Each time it returns, it reinforces the protagonist's unwavering commitment to their cause, despite feeling beaten and overwhelmed.

The question "Am I dreamin'?" is a recurring motif that highlights the surreal and high-stakes nature of the conflict. It reflects the character's disbelief at their circumstances and their isolation. The musical motif of the prominent, powerful string melody is also crucial. It recurs throughout the track, underpinning both the verses and the chorus, providing a sense of cinematic grandeur and constant emotional tension that ties the entire song together.