I wrote and recorded 30 songs in 2024. Instead of writing on a guitar, ukulele, or other stringed instrument, I built the songs using GarageBand. You can find those songs here and on BandCamp under the name Mississippi (and Other Demos).
The final song that I recorded for that project is an important song to me personally. It’s called “Trading Dreams for Memories.” The song was based on a random quote I read somewhere. Don’t ask me who it was or where I found it. I don’t remember. But the idea was simple.
Life is short. We only get so much time. Don’t waste too much time on dreaming. Make memories.
Dreams are not bad.
Most of us have been inspired to fulfill our dreams in life. I’ve wanted to become known as a songwriter and writer for most of my life. But that dream has slowly been changing the last 5-10 years.
Why? Because putting too much effort into something that is highly unlikely to happen is vanity. And with age, the likelihood of being discovered and accepted into the circles that I see myself as being qualified to sit in, is even less probable than ever. I’ve accepted that.
I love writing. I love writing songs. I’ll likely do those things until I die. But I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s more important to live a life that I love rather than chasing the dream of being “discovered.” There’s no point in spending thousands of hours and dollars only to be disappointed. Again.
Memories are more important than dreams.
When I look back at the past few years, I don’t think fondly about writing songs. It’s just something I’ve done. I do think fondly of the people, places, and activities that I love.
Going to LL Bean with my daughter every Christmas has been much more important than writing new songs. Spending time with Shep in the Maine woods and along the ocean outweighs sitting in a room with a guitar writing a song that will likely never be heard by more than a couple of dozen people. Travel and photography outweigh being a tortured musician and poet.
I think at this stage in life it’s more important to focus on the people and places we love than the hope of becoming known for our creative output. It’s better to build tangible dreams (remodeling a condo) than intangible dreams (writing a book with expectations of success).
I’m not saying I will stop being creative. I am saying there are more important things in life. Below are the lyrics to the song. – dse
Trading Dreams for Memories
I’ve been a dreamer all of my life
It’s been kind of cool and it’s been kind of nice
But sometimes dreaming carries a high price
Now I think it’s time to live a little
Yeah, I’m thinking twice
Well it took me so long to see
That your dreams won’t set you free
Now you can do just what you please
But I’m trading dreams for memories
To think about all the things I’ve missed
When I was too busy crossing dreams off my list
But now that I’m older how could I resist
I think it’s time to love a little,
To spend forever in your kiss
Oh it took me so long to see
That your dreams won’t set you free
Now, you can do just what you please
But I’m trading dreams for memories
They say dreams come true
But they wouldn’t be dreams if they do
You keep on chasing them
When you could be replacing them
With the the beautiful things in life worth living for
You know it took me so long to see
That your dreams won’t set you free
Now you can do just what you please
But I’m trading dreams for memories
I’d rather live for the good times
For you and for me
I’m trading dreams for memories
Words & Music Copyright 2024 by Dan Steven Erickson
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