It was 1998. Bucket hats were unironic, the radio was saturated with boy bands, and suddenly, this guy in a flipped-up cap starts yelling about kicking in the teeth of the "fashion shoots" and "with the fruits." You know the song. It’s "You Get What You Give" by the New Radicals. But the hook—the part that everyone screams at the top of their lungs in their car—contains one of the most misunderstood and iconic phrases in late-90s alt-pop: we got the dreamers disease.
Most people hear that line and think it’s just a catchy, throwaway lyric about being young and hopeful. It isn't. Not really. Gregg Alexander, the mastermind behind the New Radicals, wasn't just writing a feel-good anthem. He was writing a manifesto against the corporate homogenization of the music industry. Honestly, it’s kinda wild that a song that sounds so bright and sunny is actually a pretty cynical middle finger to the status quo.
What Does We Got the Dreamers Disease Actually Mean?
If you look at the we got the dreamers disease lyrics in the context of the late nineties, the meaning starts to shift. "Dreamer's disease" isn't a compliment. It's a diagnosis. It’s the idea that having big ambitions, or wanting to change the world, is seen as a sickness by the "realists" and the corporate suits.
Alexander was poking fun at how society views anyone with a vision that doesn't involve a 9-to-5 or a soul-crushing corporate ladder. You’ve probably felt it too. That moment someone tells you to "get real" or "grow up"? That’s them trying to cure your dreamer’s disease.
The song is a paradox. It tells you "don't let go," but then warns you that "the world is gonna pull through." It acknowledges that life is hard, but it frames that struggle as something shared. It’s a collective condition. If we’re all sick with this "disease" of dreaming, then maybe we aren't actually the ones who are broken.
The Political Firestorm Most People Missed
While everyone was vibing to the "dreamers disease" line, the end of the song was causing a literal meltdown at record labels. Alexander went on a lyrical rampage, name-dropping celebrities and corporations like he was checking off a hit list.
- He took shots at Courtney Love and Marilyn Manson.
- He called out "Health insurance rip-off lying."
- He attacked "FDA big bankers buying."
Manson actually responded later, saying he wasn't mad because Alexander was "attacking the right things," but Courtney Love apparently wasn't as amused. This wasn't just pop music. This was a protest song hidden inside a bubblegum wrapper. When you look at the we got the dreamers disease lyrics, you have to see them as the setup for that final explosion. The "dreamers" are the ones being exploited by the "big bankers" and the fake rock stars.
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Why the Song Still Resonates in 2026
We live in an era of burnout. Everything feels hyper-monetized. Your hobbies are supposed to be "side hustles." Your rest is supposed to be "optimized." In this climate, the "dreamer's disease" feels more like a badge of honor than ever before.
Back in '98, the enemy was the "fashion shoots" and the "macho guys." Today? It’s the algorithm. It’s the constant pressure to perform. When the lyrics say, "You've got the music in you," it’s a reminder that there is something internal and un-hackable about human creativity. It’s one of the few things a corporation can’t actually manufacture, though they certainly try.
The song’s longevity is partially due to its structure. It’s built on a classic, almost Motown-inspired chord progression that feels timeless. But the lyrics give it teeth. It’s the perfect mix of cynicism and unbridled hope.
The Mystery of Gregg Alexander
You can’t talk about these lyrics without talking about the guy who wrote them and then... disappeared. Right as "You Get What You Give" was becoming a global phenomenon, Gregg Alexander disbanded the New Radicals. He hated the promotion. He hated the "performing" aspect of fame.
He basically proved the point of his own song. He had the "dreamer's disease," realized the industry was the cure he didn't want, and walked away to write hits for other people (like "Game of Love" for Santana). It’s one of the most "practicing what you preach" moves in music history.
A Deep Dive Into the Verse Structure
Let's break down the actual flow of the we got the dreamers disease lyrics. It starts with a call to action.
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"Wake up kids, we’ve got the dreamers disease."
It’s an alarm clock. It’s telling a generation to stop sleepwalking. The verses are intentionally cluttered. They’re frantic. They list all the reasons why you should be depressed: "flat on your back," "power to fly," "couldn't find a way." It’s messy.
Then comes the pre-chorus. "But when the night is over / We'll be together." This is the pivot. It’s the realization that while the world is a mess, human connection is the only thing that holds weight.
And then, the explosion.
The chorus isn't just a hook; it's a command. "Don't let go / You've got the music in you." It’s interesting that he uses "music" as a metaphor for soul or spirit. It’s not literally about being a musician. It’s about that spark of individuality that the "big bankers" want to buy.
Misconceptions About the "Fashion Shoots" Line
A lot of people think the line "fashion shoots with the fruits" is a dated slur. It’s actually a bit more nuanced than that. In the late 90s, "fruit" was often used in British and some American slang to refer to someone who was eccentric or "fruity" in a non-pejorative, artistic sense, though it certainly hasn't aged perfectly.
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However, in the context of the song, Alexander is attacking the pretension of the fashion industry. He’s attacking the surface-level vanity. He’s saying that the "dreamers" are more real than the people posing for the cameras. It’s an "us vs. them" narrative that defined the alternative era.
How to Apply the "Dreamer’s Disease" Logic Today
If you’re feeling stuck, these lyrics actually offer a weirdly practical roadmap for 2026.
- Acknowledge the "disease." Don't let people convince you that wanting more out of life is a mental health issue or a lack of maturity.
- Identify the "big bankers." Who is trying to profit off your insecurity? Whether it's an app, a boss, or a social circle, call it out.
- Hold onto the "music." Find that one thing you do that isn't for sale. Maybe it’s a hobby, a relationship, or just a way of thinking.
- Don't give up. The song ends with a literal list of things that are trying to bring you down. The point isn't to ignore them; it's to outlast them.
The New Radicals only gave us one album, Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too. The title itself is a clue. The we got the dreamers disease lyrics are the antidote to that brainwashing.
It’s okay to be a little "sick." It’s okay to have the disease. Because the alternative—being one of the "macho guys" or "big bankers"—is a much worse fate.
If you want to really experience the power of these lyrics, go back and watch the original music video. It was filmed in the Staten Island Mall. It features a bunch of kids taking over the mall, putting the security guards in dog cages, and basically turning a temple of consumerism into a playground. It perfectly encapsulates the energy of the song. It’s chaotic, it’s a little bit rude, and it’s completely unapologetic about wanting something better than what’s being sold.
The next time you hear that opening drum fill, don't just hum along. Think about what you're not letting go of. Think about the music you've still got in you.
Actionable Takeaways for the Modern Dreamer
Stop looking for permission to be "unrealistic." The most successful people—and the happiest ones—are usually the ones who never quite got "cured" of their dreamer’s disease.
- Audit your influences. If you're surrounded by people who "kick in your teeth" for having ideas, find a new circle.
- Protect your creative spark. Treat your "music"—your passion—as a non-negotiable part of your day, not a luxury.
- Question the status quo. When a "big banker" (or a modern corporate entity) tells you how to live, ask who benefits from that advice. Hint: It’s usually them, not you.