[Ariana Grande:]
Mm, last night, boy, I met you, yeah
When I was asleep (‘Sleep)
You’re such a dream to me, mm, whoa
And it was on a day like this, yeah
If you can believe, if you can believe (If you can believe)
Mm, you’re such a dream to me
Before you speak, don’t move
‘Cause I don’t wanna wake up
Wake up, wake up, wake up
Don’t wanna wake up, oh
Wake up, wake up, wake up
Boy, you’re such a dream
If you can believe, babe
Boy, you’re such a dream to me
“Excuse me, um, I love you”
I know that’s not the way to start a conversation, trouble
I watch them other girls when they come and bug you
But I felt like I knew you, so I just wanted to hug you
Plus you don’t know your way around
You can stop your playing now
All your worries, lay ’em down, shh, don’t say it loud
Is this real, baby?
(Bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum)
You’re like: “I love you—who starts a conversation like that?” Nobody, but I do
But you are not a picture, I can’t cut you up and hide you
I’ll get you out my mind, mm, or try to
But I just want to stand and yell
I will never dare to tell
Think I heard some wedding bells, shh, keep it to yourself
Is this real? (Is this real?)
Before you speak, don’t move
‘Cause I don’t wanna wake up
Wake up, wake up, wake up
Don’t wanna wake up, oh no
Wake up, wake up, wake up
‘Cause you’re such a dream
If you can believe
You’re such a dream to me, mm, boy
[Ariana Grande & Pharrell Williams:]
I could buy you anything, but I cannot buy you
Before your boy gets smart, I would never try to
You know I’m thinking to myself, “What happened? Why you?”
But when I see you in my dreams, psh, I know
You know how to treat it, you know how to eat it
You know how to beat it (I know how to keep it)
The Good Housekeeping Seal
(Bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum)
I don’t just wanna touch you
I’m tryna turn two single people into a couple
What’s your next month like? Tell me what you’re up to
We can leave right now, boy, you don’t need a duffel
What about La Perla? Let Vickie keep her secret
Boy, it ain’t no secret if I know you’re gonna peep it, oh
[Ariana Grande:]
Before you speak, don’t move
‘Cause I don’t wanna wake up
Wake up, wake up, wa-wake up
Wake up, wake up, wake up, wa-wake up
(No I don’t want, no)
‘Cause you’re such a dream (Does this end?)
If you can believe, you’re such a dream to me
To me, mm, boy, to me, mm, yeah
A Dreamlike Love Story
“R.E.M.” by Ariana Grande captures the intoxicating feeling of falling in love that blurs the line between dream and reality. The lyrics tell the story of a romance that feels almost too perfect, as if it’s only possible in a dream. Grande’s soft vocals and gentle melodies immerse listeners in a hazy, late-night fantasy where vulnerability and longing intertwine. She explores the delicate moment before waking up, wishing to remain in the comfort of love’s embrace. The song’s conversational tone and whimsical imagery highlight the hesitancy and excitement of new love, while playful references and candid confessions make the experience deeply relatable.
Song Credits
Songwriters: Pharrell Williams, Ariana Grande, Brittany Hazzard (aka Starrah), Faith Evans, Carl Thompson, Mary Brockert
Release Year: 2018
Label: Republic Records