American Dream

Casting Crowns

About American Dream

"American Dream" is a song recorded by Christian rock band Casting Crowns. Written by Mark Hall and produced by Mark A. Miller and Steven Curtis Chapman, the song was included on the band's 2003 self-titled debut album. A rock song, "American Dream" features loud electric guitars similar to those on Chapman's 2001 album Declaration. Lyrically, the song discusses how fathers caught up in advancing their career can neglect their family responsibilities. It received mostly positive reviews from critics, many of whom praised its lyrics; several critics felt the song's instrumentation was average or mediocre, however. "American Dream"'s accompanying music video, the band's first, depicts the deterioration of a relationship due to a man's neglect of his family. The song received nominations for Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year and Short Form Music Video of the Year at the 36th GMA Dove Awards, but lost in both categories. Although it was not officially released as a single, it was sent out to Christian rock radio between the release of the album's second and third singles; although it received airplay on that format, it failed to chart. "American Dream" was later included on the band's 2004 live album Live from Atlanta, and was re-recorded and released in an acoustic form on the band's 2013 album The Acoustic Sessions: Volume One. 


4:12

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All work no play may have made Jack a dull boy
But all work no God has left Jack with a lost soul
But he's moving on full steam
He's chasing the American dream
And he's gonna give his family finer things

“Not this time son I've no time to waste
Maybe tomorrow we'll have time to play”
And then he slips into his new BMW
And drives farther and farther and farther away

Cause he works all day and tries to sleep at night
He says things will get better;
Better in time

[Chorus]
So he works and he builds with his own two hands
And he pours all he has in a castle made with sand
But the wind and the rain are comin' crashing in
Time will tell just how long his kingdom stands
His kingdom stands

Well his American Dream is beginning to seem
More and more like a nightmare
With every passing day
"Daddy, can you come to my game?"
"Oh Baby, please don't work late."
Another wasted weekend
And they are slipping away

'Cause he works all day and lies awake at night
He tells them things are getting better
Just take a little more time

[Chorus]
So he works and he builds with his own two hands
And he pours all he has in a castle made with sand
But the wind and the rain are comin' crashing in
Time will tell just how long his kingdom stands
His kingdom stands

He used to say, "Whoever dies with the most toys wins"
But if he loses his soul, what has he gained in the end
I'll take a shack on the rock
Over a castle in the sand

Now he works all day and cries alone at night
It's not getting any better
Looks like he's running out of time

[Chorus]
'Cause he worked and he built with his own two hands
And he poured all he had in a castle made with sand
But the wind and the rain are coming crashing in
Time will tell just how long his kingdom stands
His kingdom stands

All he really wanted was You
All he really wanted was You
All he really wanted was You
[Fading]was you

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Casting Crowns

Casting Crowns is a contemporary Christian and Christian rock band started in 1999 by youth pastor Mark Hall, who serves as the band's lead vocalist, at First Baptist Church in Downtown Daytona Beach, Florida as part of a youth group. They later moved to Stockbridge, Georgia and more members joined. Some members of the band currently work as ministers for Eagles Landing First Baptist Church in Stockbridge, Georgia. The band has won Grammy and Dove Awards. more »

30 fans

Written by: Hector Cervantes, Mark Hall

Lyrics © ESSENTIAL MUSIC PUBLISHING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Album Classification
"American Dream" by Casting Crowns was included in their self-titled debut album "Casting Crowns," released in 2003.
Genre Classification
The song falls into the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) genre.
Chart Success Classification
"American Dream" was a successful track which increased the overall popularity of the album, although it was not released as a single.
Band Classification
Casting Crowns is comprised of contemporary Christian musicians and pastors from Atlanta, Georgia.
Song Theme Classification
The song discusses the emptiness and futility of chasing after material wealth and success at the cost of meaningful relationships and spiritual wellness.
Language Classification
"American Dream" was written and performed in English.
Target Audience Classification
The song carried a potent message for the contemporary Christian community and anyone experiencing a sense of emptiness despite material success.
Inspiration Classification
As with many of their other songs, "American Dream" was inspired by the band members' experiences as church ministers, particularly concerning the struggles many people face in prioritizing family and faith over worldly desires.
Songwriting Process Classification
Like most songs by the band, the lead vocalist Mark Hall took the lead in the songwriting process for "American Dream", translating real-life experiences and struggles into potent, relatable lyrics.
Impact Classification
"American Dream", along with other songs by Casting Crowns, has been determinant in their success and recognition as one of the top Christian bands in the United States.

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