In Every Dream Home a Heartache

Roxy Music's song "In Every Dream Home a Heartache" delves into the emptiness and disillusionment that can accompany modern, materialistic lifestyles. The lyrics paint a picture of a life filled with luxury and comfort, yet devoid of genuine emotional fulfillment. The opening lines, "In every dream home a heartache / And every step I take / Takes me further from heaven," suggest that despite achieving societal standards of success, the protagonist feels increasingly disconnected from true happiness and spiritual contentment. The rhetorical question, "Is there a heaven? / I'd like to think so," underscores a longing for something more meaningful beyond material wealth.

The song critiques the superficiality of modern living, where the rise in living standards and the acquisition of luxurious homes and possessions fail to bring true satisfaction. Phrases like "Penthouse perfection" and "Open plan living" highlight the allure of high-end lifestyles, but the repeated questioning of "What goes on / What to do there / Better pray there" reveals a sense of emptiness and lack of purpose within these spaces. The song suggests that the comforts deemed essential in contemporary society are ultimately hollow, as indicated by the line, "It's only a saying."

A particularly striking metaphor in the song is the inflatable doll, which represents the artificial and disposable nature of relationships in a consumer-driven world. The protagonist's relationship with the doll, described as "My plain wrapper baby" and "Disposable darling," symbolizes a connection that is devoid of genuine emotion and intimacy. The lines "I blew up your body / But you blew my mind" poignantly capture the paradox of investing in something that ultimately leaves one feeling more empty and disillusioned. The song concludes with a reflection on the persistent heartache that accompanies the pursuit of these dream homes, emphasizing the emotional void that materialism cannot fill.