[1] In a 2010 interview with Rolling Stone, Weezer's Rivers Cuomo stated, "I think most of our audience always thought it was a song about a girl when I’m really singing about my artistic process.
"[2] In a 2023 interview with Chris Shiflett, Cuomo said the long instrumental portion of the song was inspired by the jam band Phish and their guitarist Trey Anastasio.
[3] Cuomo said, "I went to Phish shows and had the tapes, and it was like, man, this is just so transcendent, the way [Anastasio] plays – and that’s kind of what I wanted to do.
[3] When asked in 2006 which Weezer guitar solo he is the most proud of/likes the most, Cuomo answered, "I'd have to go with 'Only in Dreams' and [Make Believe track] 'Haunt You Every Day' for sheer length.
From the syrupy opening bass line, to the sincere guitar work and the gawking lyrics, the immense closing song on their debut best represents the band".
Mock Orange has covered the song on the album Rock Music: A Tribute to Weezer.