In doing so, Goodrem now draws equal second with Kasey Chambers for most number ones on the ARIA Albums Chart by a local female solo artist, with Kylie Minogue (with eight) having the most.

The song was globally premiered as part of Goodrem's seventh instalment of The Bunkerdown Sessions which she had carried out weekly throughout lockdown.

[9] A motivational piano ballad, Goodrem explained that her intention behind the song was to remind people to not be afraid to find the strength when they feel stuck between where they are and where they want to go”.

[10] Lyrically, Goodrem explained the song to be a "narrative of when your whole world stops and has to be reset";[11] and described the album upon the release of "Paralyzed" to be "a nod to [my old stuff] sonically speaking in terms of what I was listening to, and getting re-inspired by", further adding "I needed to kind of go back to what I used to do.

[16] In a positive review of the album, Retro Pop Magazine described the album as Goodrem's "most accomplished effort yet",[17] and "a collection of tracks that look inward and share her most personal stories with the world"; highlighting "Everyone's Famous" as "an exploration of the nature of fame and the challenges it presents" and the "musings on the impact of success on close relationships" of "All of My Friends".

[18] Stack noted that Bridge over Troubled Dreams "successfully veer[s] from pop to ballads, gospel and even a country-tinged detour",[19] and that the album's themes include "fame, fear and failing to live up to expectations".

In support of Bridge over Troubled Dreams, Goodrem embarked on her fifth concert tour of Australia and her first to include international dates.

[5] Following the Australian leg, Goodrem added shows in London and Berlin – her first ever international tour dates – and these sold out.