I tell you how I feel, but you don't care
I say tell me the truth, but you don't dare
You say love is a hell you cannot bear
And I say gimme mine back and then go there - for all I care
I got my feet on the ground and I don't go to sleep to dream
You got your head in the clouds
And you're not at all what you seem
This mind, this body, and this voice
Cannot be stifled by your deviant ways
So don't forget what I told you
Don't come around
I got my own hell to raise
I have never been so insulted in all my life
I could swallow the seas to wash down all this pride
First you run like a fool just to be at my side
And now you run like a fool
But you just run to hide
And I can't abide
I got my feet on the ground and I don't go to sleep to dream
You got your head in the clouds
And you're not at all what you seem
This mind, this body, and this voice
Cannot be stifled by your deviant ways
So don't forget what I told you
Don't come around
I got my own hell to raise
Don't make it a big deal, don't be so sensitive
We're not playing a game anymore
You don't have to be so defensive
Don't you plead me your case, don't bother to explain
Don't even show me your face, 'cuz it's a crying shame
Just go back to the rock from under which you came
Take the sorrow you gave and all the stakes you claim -
And don't forget the blame
I got my feet on the ground and I don't go to sleep to dream
You got your head in the clouds
And you're not at all what you seem
This mind, this body, and this voice
Cannot be stifled by your deviant ways
So don't forget what I told you
Don't come around
I got my own hell to raise



Lyrics submitted by SNYder, edited by Mellow_Harsher

Track duration: 04:09


Sleep to Dream song meanings
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39 Comments

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  • 0
    My Interpretation:I have loved this song ever since the Tidal album came out in 1996.

    I listened today and realized that it also fits my current situation which isn't what most people think of when they hear the song. I am married and have recently found myself attracted to someone else who is also in a committed relationship. One day we are drawn to each other like magnets and the next day we push each other miles apart. So wrong but sometimes feels so right. It is a terrible situation to be in. I know we both deserve the misery we are feeling. Just amazing that this song that I have listened to for 16 years now has a whole new meaning to me. That is what is so wonderful about Fiona.
    Flag ConstantKnoton May 07, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:We can always read what we would like into lyrics, obviously only Fiona knows what the song is truly referring to.
    I like the ex-boyfriend theory, and I can relate to that, can't we all.
    But I just had one of the lines tattooed on me, and I didn't do it for anything to do with my ex.
    'I've got my feet on the ground and I don't go to sleep to dream'
    It's a Virgo thing :)
    Flag lifelyricson September 07, 2010   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:The line "I don't go to sleep to dream" didn't seem to me like she was using sleep as an escape from her problems or anything like that, to me it felt like she was saying she has dreams of her own, that she's a creative, imaginitive person. Anyone else feel that way?
    Flag risea729on August 10, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I can totally relate to this song,and the same's true for most of Fiona's songs. I've been in abusive relationships and have personal issues like her.

    To me, this song is about an ex, and Fiona has been dissed by him in some way or another. Maybe he gave her false hope that they may get back together, and then he rejects her soonafter (I've never been so insulted in my whole life, I could swallow the seas to wash down all this pride)
    So she's basically saying "Fuck you too".... I'm not 'crazy' like you might think, "I've got my feet on the ground and I don't go to sleep to dream" - says I'm down-to-earth, I'm not going to sleep to have "sweet dreams" or fantasies about you, like he might think. I'm just going to sleep, in the literal sense.
    Flag taratecon January 14, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:greatest breakup song ever?!?! whenever i'm getting to sad about it i put on this song and i'm like YEAHHHHH!! FUCK YOU!! ha. well not actually, but it gets me feeling more self-righteous and angry then sad and unimportant.
    Flag shizzlecakeon September 08, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:oh how I've felt like screaming this song at someone..
    Flag Kpuffon January 07, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"i say gimme mine back and then go there, for all i care"
    ahh brilliant! an indirect "go to hell you fuckface!!"
    the second verse is "i have never been so insulted in all my life" just rolls out of her mouth with so much weight. brilliant. brilliant. brilliant.
    i always thought the line was "i could swallow the seas twice than all this pride", meaning she has had to swallow her pride and it was so tough she'd rather swallow the seas twice. but im not sure, what does everyone else think?
    Flag luey_babyon May 24, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:he's a fake, 'not at all what you seem', and he's led her on only to let her down...she's letting him go, because she isn't a dreamer, she knows the reality is she needs to tell him where to go.
    Flag missmeon May 10, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The way she sings
    "Don't make it a big deal, don't be so sensitive
    We're not playing a game anymore
    You don't have to be so defensive"
    is so perfect. The desperate way she ends that verse syncs up with the lyrics so nicely. couldn't be better.
    Flag Tracion October 05, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:fun little fact..her ex was a pisces and she's a virgo.shes talking to a pisces

    "I got my feet on the ground and I don't go to sleep to dream
    You got your head in the clouds
    And you're not at all what you seem
    This mind, this body, and this voice
    Cannot be stifled by your deviant ways
    So don't forget what I told you
    Don't come around
    I got my own hell to raise "
    Flag NIKKIEon June 26, 2007   Link

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