About the song
“Dream Walkin'” is a captivating country ballad co-written and performed by the renowned American artist Toby Keith. Released in January 1998 as part of his album of the same name, this song swiftly climbed the charts, peaking at number 5 in the United States and number 3 in Canada. The lyrics, penned by Keith alongside Chuck Cannon, paint a vivid picture of a man traversing through a series of dreams, each brimming with poignant moments and imagery.
The narrative unfolds with scenes like leaving behind a yellow rose and a longneck bottle, and a woman absconding with the man’s sunglasses and a cherished old jean jacket. These dream sequences not only showcase Keith’s storytelling prowess but also resonate deeply with listeners, evoking nostalgia and introspection.
Critics lauded “Dream Walkin'” for its compelling melody enriched with resonant guitar riffs. Deborah Evans Price from Billboard magazine praised the song for its “very visual” lyrics, highlighting Keith’s masterful delivery that explores every lyrical nuance with his trademark country baritone. The song’s ability to conjure detailed scenes through its lyrics is a testament to Keith’s ability to connect with his audience on an emotional level.
The music video, directed by Michael Salomon, further enhances the dreamlike quality of the song. Premiering on CMT in January 1998 as a “Hot Shot,” the video depicts Keith in a surreal fantasy world. It seamlessly weaves between Keith lying in bed singing the song and surreal visuals of him navigating through his dreams. The recurring theme of waking up throughout the video adds a layer of depth, blurring the lines between reality and imagination.
“Dream Walkin'” not only solidified Toby Keith’s stature in the country music scene but also remains a poignant example of his storytelling prowess and musical creativity. With its evocative lyrics, memorable melody, and visually striking music video, the song continues to resonate with fans, capturing the essence of dreams and the bittersweet moments they entail.
Video
Lyrics
She left a yellow rose and a long neck bottle
On a table beside my bed
With a short little note that said I had a good time
It was written in lipstick red
She didn’t sign her name, I wonder
If that’s a little secret that she keeps
Oh, she’s walkin’ around in my sleep
Dream walkin’, pillow talkin’
She’s callin’ my name again
Day’s breakin’, I ain’t wakin’ up, I’m sleepin’ in
I’m on a roll now, I gotta know how this dream ends
She took my new sunglasses and my old jean jacket
And she never even bothered to ask
You could say I haven’t seen her since late last summer
But every night she comes back
Just like smoke through the keyhole
She slips in so silently
Oh, she’s walkin’ around in my sleep
Dream walkin’, pillow talkin’
She’s callin’ my name again
Day’s breakin’, I ain’t wakin’ up, I’m sleepin’ in
I’m on a roll now, I gotta know how this dream ends
Ooh, there’s a thin line between dreams and memories
I’ll be losin’ my mind ’til she comes back to me
Dream walkin’, pillow talkin’
She’s callin’ my name again
Day’s breakin’, I ain’t wakin’ up, I’m sleepin’ in
I’m on a roll now, I gotta know how this dream ends
I’m on a roll now, I gotta know how this dream ends
I’m on a roll now, I gotta know how this dream ends
She’s walkin’ around in my sleep
She’s walkin’ around in my sleep
Yeah, yeah