Song meaning of Once Upon a Daydream by The Police

The lyrics of "Once Upon a Daydream" by The Police convey a tragic and poignant story of love, loss, and revenge. It tells the tale of a love that once existed, but now only resides in daydreams and moonbeams, symbolizing the fleeting nature of love and the impossibility of holding onto it.

The first part of the song establishes the initial blissful love, where the narrator falls in love and gives their heart to their beloved. They believed in the truth of their love and even considered marriage. However, the mood quickly shifts, and the lyrics take a dark turn when the lover's father discovers the relationship and violently ends it. The unborn baby is tragically killed, and the narrator is cast aside.

The lyrics then dive into the aftermath of the tragedy. Overwhelmed by grief and anger, the narrator seeks revenge and murders the lover's father. This act marks the beginning of a personal hell, as the consequences of their actions unfold.

The repetition of "Once upon a daydream" serves as a melancholic reminder of the loss and the recognition that this idyllic love story is now shattered and cannot be restored, emphasizing that such dreams and fantasies no longer hold any significance or possibility.

The song's overall message seems to be that love can be fleeting, easily disrupted, and replaced by harsh realities. It explores themes of tragedy, violence, and the consequences of impulsive actions. It serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive nature of revenge and the inability to change the past. Ultimately, "Once Upon a Daydream" highlights the fleeting nature of dreams and how they can quickly turn into nightmares.