The Weight of Dreams

"The Weight of Dreams" is a song by American rock band Greta Van Fleet. It was released on their second album The Battle at Garden's Gate in 2021. While not originally released as a single, the song peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot Hard Rock Songs chart and was named by TotalGuitar as containing the greatest guitar solo of the 21st century.

Background
The song was written and recorded during The Battle at Garden's Gates sessions in 2019. The song was released as the last song on the band's second studio album. Despite not being released as a single, the song reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot Hard Rock Songs chart.

Composition
"The Weight of Dreams" is in a 4/4 time signature and the key of A minor. At eight minutes and fifty-one seconds, the song is the longest Greta Van Fleet song as of Starcatcher. Towards the end of the song, guitarist Jake Kiska performs a guitar solo that has been renowned as one of the best of the 21st century and on the album.

Lyrically the song has been described as being about "searching for something intangible, such as a dream or a goal, and trying to attain it by any means necessary" Songtell describes the song as such "The song speaks to good and bad sides of following one's dreams, suggesting that the effort and risk is worth it, but one should also be cautious since it can be an arduous and difficult journey."

Reception
In 2023, the song was named by TotalGuitar as containing the best Guitar solo of the 21st century.

Personnel
Greta Van Fleet
 * Joshua Kiszka – vocals, background vocals
 * Jacob Kiszka – guitar, backing vocals
 * Samuel Kiszka – bass, keyboards, background vocals
 * Daniel Wagner – drums, background vocals

Technical


 * Greg Kurstin – production, engineering
 * Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing
 * Julian Burg – engineering
 * Alex Pasco – engineering
 * Matt Wolach – mixing assistance
 * Matt Tuggle – recording assistance
 * Peter Luretig – recording assistance
 * Brian Rajaratnam – recording assistance