The Untold Pain Behind Susan Boyle’s Iconic Performance That Made Millions Cry
Few could forget the moment in 2009 when a soft-spoken woman from a small Scottish village walked onto the Britain’s Got Talent stage with a performance that changed the course of her life — and reality competition history — forever. Susan Boyle’s iconic audition of “I Dreamed a Dream” became an instant global sensation, and remains a cherished set to this day.
With just one performance, the Got Talent legend shattered expectations and inspired millions with her dynamite vocals, leading her audition to become one of the franchise’s most unforgettable moments. Boyle began her set by introducing herself and announcing she aspired to be a professional singer, initially met with raised eyebrows and skepticism from the crowd and Judges alike. Apprehension aside, the energy completely shifted from the moment Boyle began singing “I Dreamed a Dream.” Boyle’s rich voice and passionate delivery instantly rendered the crowd awe-stricken, silencing the nay-sayers and cementing herself as a bona fide star in the making.
Boyle earned a standing ovation from both the audience and Judges, with Simon Cowell visibly stunned by what he’d witnessed. Boyle’s BGT audition remains viral, with “I Dreamed a Dream” later becoming the titular cover track for her debut album, skyrocketing to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 upon its release.
Read on to learn all about the meaning behind the lyrics of “I Dreamed a Dream” and how Boyle made it her own.
What is the song “I Dreamed a Dream” about?
Few songs better encapsulate Boyle’s story of defying expectations than “I Dreamed a Dream.” The song is one of the standout ballads in the musical Les Misérables, the mythic stage production based on Victor Hugo’s 1962 novel. A young mother named Fantine delivers the vocal heavy-hitter, a song of heart-wrenching reflection, lost dreams, and the harsh realities of life. Fantine sings “I Dreamed a Dream” after losing her job and facing the brutal challenges of poverty.
