The lyrics depict a sense of longing and heartache as the protagonist is haunted by dreams of a woman named Martina, preventing him from moving on and finding happiness with someone else. Despite trying to distract himself with work and social situations, he is unable to escape the memories and feelings associated with Martina.

Meaning of "Dreams Of Martina" by Hal Ketchum

The lyrics of "Dreams Of Martina" reveal a deep emotional struggle within the protagonist. Martina represents a lost love or a missed opportunity that continues to occupy his thoughts and prevent him from fully moving on. Despite attempts to distract himself with work and social interactions, the memories and feelings associated with Martina linger, creating a barrier to new relationships and personal growth. The protagonist's friends may not fully understand his inner turmoil, as he puts on a facade of being his old self at social gatherings, but internally, he is consumed by the dreams of Martina. The repetition of laying down the heartache suggests a desire to finally let go and find closure, but the hold that Martina has on his heart proves challenging to overcome.