The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I can't describe the feeling when
I'm in my bed asleep and then
I wake up with a vision blurred
And all my efforts are deterred
To reconstruct this image lost
There're certain things my mind must do
And even though they're very few
The image glistens like a gem
Repairing is not one of them
So I'm awake though in my mind
The image that's so unrefined
Is calling to me from the deep
And tempting me to fall asleep
I'm in my bed asleep and then
I wake up with a vision blurred
And all my efforts are deterred
To reconstruct this image lost
There're certain things my mind must do
And even though they're very few
The image glistens like a gem
Repairing is not one of them
So I'm awake though in my mind
The image that's so unrefined
Is calling to me from the deep
And tempting me to fall asleep
Lyrics submitted by Phishhead420
Sleep Lyrics as written by Trey Anastasio Tom Marshall
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
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This is an amazing song written by Tom Marshall. The song is about waking up in the night while dreaming, and trying to hold on to that dream while you are awake. Great lyrics in my opinion
This song is about being in the state of mind right before you fall asleep. Often you'll have an idea that your mind will wrap around. For whatever reason the singer woke up and lost it; however it returns and he falls asleep.
Hear me out
This song is about society's expectations
Sleep is a metaphor
To be brief all metaphors are describing societal expectations
I know y'all are smart enough to figure it out
In the end society wins
Long Live Tom. Fuck Trey (just kidding I play guitar).
I'm a douche
I took an AP English class
The teacher told us there was a literal and an abstract interpretations
The Trey (literal) interpretation is one
The abstract is the meaning I hope Tom intended haha
One more observation. I think the image tempting to fall asleep is basically reinforcing the society metaphor. Falling asleep being a metaphor.
That's what I get out of it and that's why I like this site.
Obviously I was shit faced drunk.
Well guys I finally did it, I'm on this site and I'm not drinking alcohol.
To clarify - I'm a 26 year old college student. I'm growing up slowly. That's probably why I got that out of this site.
I actually think I've been more irresponsible lately, which is a good thing. Hopefully I never grow up. I'll let someone else comment - this song should have more - Tom is a great lyricist. Very unrecognized.
Another comment - Tom is a fucking genius. Trey wouldn't work with him if he wasn't.
Like I said I was in AP English and one of our cooler assignments was Beatles lyrics.
This should be added. Kids could learn from it interpret the abstract meaning.
I came off a regular klonopin dose and had severe depression and listened to dirt.
I didn't post a comment but what I realized was Tom rarely gets credit for his work.