I should warn you,
I go to sleep.
I know you don't know what I mean.

Yet.
I get upset or happy I go to sleep.
Nothing hurts when I go to sleep.
But I'm not tired, I'm not tired.

I know it seems that I don't care,
But something in me does, I swear.
I don't remember all last year.
I left you awake to cry the tears,
While I was dreaming in streams
Flowing between the shores
Of joy and sadness

Oh!
I'm drowning, save me, wake me up!
I should warn you, I go to sleep.
You won't know when I go to sleep.

Because I'm not tired,
I'm not tired,
I just sleep.


Lyrics submitted by kevin

Narcolepsy Lyrics as written by Ben Folds

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Sentric Music

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Narcolepsy song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

33 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +2
    General Comment

    I think the guy Ben is talking about does have narcolepsy, manly because he is very stressed/depressed(which is one of the main causes of narcolepsy). "Nothing hurts when I go to sleep"...

    supraxon September 29, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I don't think this song is about Narcolepsy at all, but a guy that detatches himself from emotion, especially those of the troubles in his relationship. "I Left you awake to cry the tears while I was dreaming in streams flowing between the shores of joy and sadness." He became unfeeling, which exacerbated the pain felt by his significant other. At the end, he reveals that he no longer wants to live his life in that manner. "Because I'm not tired. I'm not tired. I just sleep."

    Doc_42on March 20, 2003   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    BEN FOLDS CLEARLY STATES in his "Ben folds and WASO live" performance of the song that this song is about how the majority of guys shutdown/withdraw emotionally when they feel really happy or upset. He says that he is one of those who do. It's NOT about real narcolepsy.

    Have a listen to that version and his explanation.

    girabbiton August 08, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    In ways, I agree with everyone who's posted... except for I think it's more "emotional" narcolepsy than physical. I believe it's about someone dealing with depression, at least I find it easy to relate to in that way, having gone through it myself. Depressed people become withdrawn, emotionally detached and numb, and do spend a lot of time sleeping, because it stills the pain, at least until they awaken.

    ShatteredPoetesson July 02, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    ben sometimes said people look to deep into his songs maybe its aabout a narcoleptic guy

    drummerman91on June 03, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    On the Ben Folds with WASO DVD he says that its about a type of narcolepsy when someone falls asleep whenever he's under extreme preassure or stress.

    Dnion August 17, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Cataplexy is a symptom of narcolepsy. When there are triggers like stress, fear and even joy many collapse in seeming unconsciousness. Really they can hear and do know what's going on. And when you have narcolepsy you generally walk around in a daze. Or worse seem perfectly fine until all of a sudden you're so tired you MUST fall asleep right then. Many people with narcolepsy have problems with friends and family members thinking that they're not interested when they doze off. Not to mention the memory problems related.

    whimsically.aberranton November 19, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    awesome deciphering.. I totally agree, doc 42.

    wim zE koLon April 19, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I always thought it was physical narcolepsy, but that doesn't matter hugely, I just love the piano in this song. It's so beautiful. I fall in love with it every time I listen to it.

    jack_the_braton April 16, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    to be honest i dont know what to think. sometimes i believe the obvious lyrics but other times i look too deeply into the true meanings, so i guess this time i will just sit back and enjoy the song...

    sOCS479on October 29, 2004   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
Blue
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Album art
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Album art
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it. “I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.