When I look at you
Oh, I don't know what's real
Once in a while
And you make me laugh

And I'll see you tomorrow
And it won't be long
Once in a while
Then you take me down
Then you walk away

When you say 'I do'
Oh, I don't believe you
I can't forget it
No

When you sleep tomorrow
And it won't be long
Once in a while
When you make me smile
When you turn your long blond hair

When I look at you
Oh, I don't know what's real
Once in a while
And you make me laugh

And I'll sleep tomorrow
And it won't be long
Once in a while
Then you take me down
When you walk away



Lyrics submitted by BrownBabu84

Track duration: 04:12

"When You Sleep" as written by Kevin Shields

Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


When You Sleep song meanings
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35 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:It sounds to me like a love falling apart, with the person telling the story not as ready to let it go as the other person, but still acknowledging that things are not what they used to be and that things will end.
    Flag Vimanaon January 17, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i think this song is about being in loved with someone but only having the love of that person in your dreams, because in real life it cant happen

    When I look at you
    Oh, I dont know what I feel
    Once in a while
    And you make me laugh
    -when she looks at her while hes awake, he doesn't know if he feels happy to see her or sad because she cant (or doesn't want to) be with him, every once in a while they have a laugh together as friends


    And I'll sleep tomorrow
    And it won't be long
    Once in a while
    Then you take me down
    When you walk away
    -and he will fall asleep at night, and it wont pass much time for him to start dreaming about her, (i think that once in a while here actually means always), he dreams that they are having sex, i suppose, and then she get up and leaves and he wakes up


    When you say "I do"
    Oh, but I don't believe in you
    I can't forget it
    No...oooh
    -he is now dreaming awake, he dreams she says yes to him and that she wants to be with him, he asks her "do you love me? and she answers "yes" but then reality kicks in and he knows its not true, yet he cant forget about her, no...oooh he cant


    When you sleep tomorrow
    And it won't be long
    Once in a while
    When you make me smile
    When you turn your long blonde hair
    -and when "you" (hes talking to himself like saying "and here it goes again") he will dream of her, all the time, and he will smile like hes hypnotized, when she turns her long blonde hair


    a song about how living reality is sometimes so painful, that you can only be happy in your dreams... so sad, yet so beautiful
    Flag heartgranadeon July 11, 2010   Link
  • +1
    My Opinion:I think it is about an imperfect relationship too. However i dont think he is 'unsure.'
    I think he knows he's in a relationship with problems, yet just rides them out.
    He puts up with it for reasons beyond him, and so when he looks at her not only is he unsure as to how he should feel towards her,
    but towards himself also in putting up with her as he once again stares into a face that he knows will turn and walk away.

    She's unaware of the damage she causes, despite being the one causing it - in his eyes anyway
    as he's the one 'looking' at her, we're not given her perspective.

    The wall of sound, the howling, repeptitive sequences and lyrics represent his 'riding it out' his repetitive, hollow routine with her, to sleep, see her, leave her, sleep and await to see her again. Always thinking about her, and always weighing the pros and cons in his head.

    I think he's afraid to lose her, he depends on her and uses the 'and you make me laugh' as a general image of fun with her -to convince himself that theres some good in her and the relationship, and that there's reason to stick with it.

    this is only my opinion x
    Flag nohigginson May 10, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:And I always thought the first line was "When I look at you, Oh, I don't know what to do."
    Flag ikickedagirlon November 19, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is one of My Bloody Valentine's best. And the lyrics are actually quite simple. It's a long song.
    Flag ikickedagirlon November 19, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:my absolute favorite from MBV
    Flag kidfortoday70on June 08, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:amazing.

    it's definitely about being unsure of a relationship.
    Flag juliafuckon January 27, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:so lovely >.<
    great tune
    "Then you take me down
    When you walk away
    When you say "I do"
    Oh, but I don't believe in you
    I can't forget it
    No...oooh"

    this song is a feeling. i cant explain. perfection ~_~
    Flag lemona9on January 24, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i mean, the smile of resolution
    Flag laughing_manon October 09, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:* i mean, the smile of resolution
    Flag laughing_manon October 09, 2008   Link

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