Mr. Sandman, bring me some more appropriate songs about slumber
December 6, 2010 10:05 AM   Subscribe

What are some great songs about sleep?

I'm making a video about sleep disorders and I'm looking for appropriate music. Which means it can range anywhere from songs about nightmares to snoring to sleep in general. I'd prefer songs that aren't super obscure and that DO actually reference the sleep pretty clearly in the lyrics. Again, just to be clear, these are songs ABOUT sleep and NOT songs you can sleep TO

examples: Romantics - talking in your sleep. Pomplamoose - Mr. Sandman. I'm So Tired - The Beatles. Etc.

Thoughts?
posted by rileyray3000 to Media & Arts (83 answers total) 12 users marked this as a favorite
 
Barenaked Ladies "Who Needs Sleep" is quite explicitly about insomnia.
posted by Tomorrowful at 10:08 AM on December 6, 2010 [1 favorite]


Barenaked Ladies - Who Needs Sleep? (My 3am anthem. Totally about insomnia.)
posted by gracedissolved at 10:08 AM on December 6, 2010 [1 favorite]


Tired of Sleeping by Suzanne Vega!

Also, the intro to Waking the Witch by Kate Bush fits the bill.
posted by widdershins at 10:11 AM on December 6, 2010


Momus, Mistaken Memories of Medieval Manhattan
posted by jeather at 10:11 AM on December 6, 2010


Owl City - Fireflies is mostly about dreaming.
posted by specialagentwebb at 10:11 AM on December 6, 2010


Talking Heads "Stay Up Late"
posted by keener_sounds at 10:13 AM on December 6, 2010


"I'm Only Sleeping" by the Beatles.
posted by Ipsifendus at 10:14 AM on December 6, 2010 [2 favorites]


Farewell and Goodnight - Smashing Pumpkins
posted by empath at 10:16 AM on December 6, 2010


Cake - "When you Sleep"
posted by muddgirl at 10:18 AM on December 6, 2010 [1 favorite]


I Don't Sleep, I Dream - REM
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 10:19 AM on December 6, 2010


"Sleep sleep sleep, go to sleep" is the chorus of "Sleep" by This Heat, a really great-sounding and unusual song.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 10:20 AM on December 6, 2010 [1 favorite]


Leonardo's Bride, Even when I'm sleeping

I love you
Even when I'm sleeping.
When I close my eyes you're everywhere.
posted by Iteki at 10:20 AM on December 6, 2010




"Go to Sleep" by Sarah Harmer
posted by sarahnade at 10:23 AM on December 6, 2010 [1 favorite]


Enter Sandman - Metallica
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 10:24 AM on December 6, 2010


"Sunny Skies" by James Taylor c. 1970
posted by BurntHombre at 10:24 AM on December 6, 2010


Tindersticks - Sleepy Song
posted by Kafkaesque at 10:25 AM on December 6, 2010


Hoodoo Gurus, Waking Up Tired. (Seems appropriate for sleeping disorders.)
posted by malibustacey9999 at 10:26 AM on December 6, 2010


and "St. Judy's Comet" by Paul Simon
posted by BurntHombre at 10:26 AM on December 6, 2010


Modest Mouse - Sleepwalking
The Psychedelic Furs - Sleep Comes Down

posted by saladin at 10:28 AM on December 6, 2010


Elvis Perkins - "While You Were Sleeping."
posted by needs more cowbell at 10:30 AM on December 6, 2010


Mother Mother - "Sleep Awake"
posted by GraceCathedral at 10:31 AM on December 6, 2010


Narcolepsy - Ben Folds Five
posted by castlebravo at 10:32 AM on December 6, 2010 [1 favorite]


Sweet Dreams - Beyonce
Sleeping My Day Away - DAD
Paranoimia - The Art Of Noise (featuring Max Headroom!)
In My Dreams - Dokken
posted by SisterHavana at 10:37 AM on December 6, 2010


Daysleeper by REM.
posted by Lyn Never at 10:37 AM on December 6, 2010


And when you're gone, I sleep diagonal in my bed.
When you're there, I sleep lengthwise.
posted by McGuillicuddy at 10:40 AM on December 6, 2010


Jason Mraz - Sleeping to Dream

U2 - MLK (another one that could have either a death or sleep interpretation, but I've always found it hauntingly beautiful)
posted by sigmagalator at 10:40 AM on December 6, 2010


This is choral music, but Eric Whitacre's "Sleep."
posted by pmdboi at 10:41 AM on December 6, 2010


Another Jason Mraz song - Sleep All Day.
posted by yawper at 10:43 AM on December 6, 2010


Nick Cave - Come Into My Sleep
The Beatles - Good Night, I'm Only Sleeping
Billie Holiday - Dream A Little Dream Of Me
Blondie - Dreaming
Depeche Mode - Dreaming of Me
Fiona Apple - Sleep To Dream
Cake - When You Sleep
The Cure - If Only Tonight We Could Sleep
posted by progosk at 10:44 AM on December 6, 2010


The postal Service - Sleeping In
posted by sarastro at 10:44 AM on December 6, 2010


A few from my library that seem to fit.

Poster Children - Sleep
Leadbelly - Where did you sleep last night
Jawbreaker - Sleep
Fastbacks - Trouble Sleeping
Bonnie Prince Billy - Cursed Sleep
Nick Lowe - Endless Sleep [mentions sleep at the end]
posted by jessamyn at 10:49 AM on December 6, 2010 [1 favorite]


If you want something funny - the classic "I'm tired"

Or "Stay Awake," the lullaby from Mary Poppins
posted by Mchelly at 10:49 AM on December 6, 2010


The Cure, Lullaby ("On candystripe legs, the spiderman comes..."). Very nightmare.
posted by Gator at 10:50 AM on December 6, 2010


Pavement's "Fillmore Jive" features the repeating line, "I need to sleep/why won't you let me."
posted by eggplantplacebo at 10:58 AM on December 6, 2010 [1 favorite]


Conjure One - Sleep

Sort of.
posted by paradoxflow at 11:00 AM on December 6, 2010


"Lullaby" from the Shock Treatment soundtrack.
posted by tomboko at 11:05 AM on December 6, 2010


Suede - Sleeping Pills
posted by still lampin' at 11:06 AM on December 6, 2010


Menomena - Sleeping Beauty
Ok Go - While You Were Asleep
Ben Folds - Narcolepsy
Radiohead - Go to Sleep
Billy Joel - River of Dreams
Bon Jovi - I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
posted by Lutoslawski at 11:07 AM on December 6, 2010


I'm Not Sleeping Anymore - Counting Crows
Heropsychodreamer - Live
Sweet Dreams - Marilyn Manson
As I Lay Me Down - Sophie B. Hawkins
Sleep Stalker - Boondox (NSFW - explicit lyrics)
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 11:07 AM on December 6, 2010


dredg - Scissor Lock, about sleep paralysis
posted by alligatorman at 11:08 AM on December 6, 2010




Arcade Fire - Rebellion (Lies)
Against Me! - 8 Full Hours of Sleep
Belle & Sebastian - Sleep the Clock Around
posted by quadrilaterals at 11:10 AM on December 6, 2010


that list, btw, includes songs called like "Sleep Disorder" and "Sleep Apnea" - might be perfect for you.
posted by Lutoslawski at 11:11 AM on December 6, 2010


"(All I Have To Do Is) Dream" by The Everly Brothers
"Deep In A Dream" by Frank Sinatra
"Dream Lover" by Ricky Nelson
posted by briank at 11:12 AM on December 6, 2010


of Montreal – An Ode to the Nocturnal Muse
posted by scruss at 11:16 AM on December 6, 2010


Cream – Sleepytime Time
posted by timeistight at 11:18 AM on December 6, 2010


Sleep Come Free Me - James Taylor
posted by paulsc at 11:25 AM on December 6, 2010


Dreaming - The Cosmic Rays
posted by The Card Cheat at 11:28 AM on December 6, 2010


Sleep - Phish
posted by Mister Fabulous at 11:30 AM on December 6, 2010


White Witch: Sleepwalk.
Be-Bop Deluxe: Music in Dreamland, Sleep That Burns
Mutton Birds: While You Sleep
Smithereens: Behind a Wall of Sleep
posted by jet_silver at 11:32 AM on December 6, 2010


Perhaps the classical music standard here is Symphonie Fantastique.
posted by KirkJobSluder at 11:34 AM on December 6, 2010


Another song called "Go to Sleep" by Avett Brothers
posted by smirkette at 11:57 AM on December 6, 2010


Blackalicious - Sleep
posted by box at 11:57 AM on December 6, 2010


Dr John - Hit the Road to Dreamland (only a sample here, sadly)
posted by cali59 at 12:02 PM on December 6, 2010


Get Some Sleep by the lovely Kiwi Bic Runga.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 12:08 PM on December 6, 2010


Band of Horses "Is there a ghost" has the lyrics "I could sleep" repeated through most of the song.
posted by thankyouforyourconsideration at 12:09 PM on December 6, 2010


I Go To Sleep - The Pretenders
Sound-a-Sleep - Blondie
posted by misteraitch at 12:12 PM on December 6, 2010


Cheap Trick - Dream Police (song actually starts at 1:08)
posted by SuperSquirrel at 12:24 PM on December 6, 2010


Damn, just thought of another as soon as I hit send:

Mary Chapin Carpenter - Dreamland (It's more of a lullaby, and oh so beautiful.)
posted by SuperSquirrel at 12:25 PM on December 6, 2010


For hypersomnia suffers I offer Last Man on the Moon by SR-71
And now I'm never out of bed before noon/ Waking up too late seems too soon

Go to Sleep by Summer At Shatter Creek (lyrics)

Didn't Leave Nobody But the Baby - as sung by Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch and Alison Krauss (lyrics)
posted by nelleish at 12:31 PM on December 6, 2010


Dreams of Children - The Jam
I'm Only Dreaming - Small Faces
Lily Dreams On - Cotton Mather
Innocent When You Dream - Tom Waits

Let Me Sleep Beside You - David Bowie
Singing in My Sleep - The Chills
Through a Long and Sleepless Night - The Divine Comedy
Where Did You Sleep Last Night - Lead Belly (though of course famously covered by Nirvana, among others)
Endless Sleep - Nick Lowe
Sleepwalk - Ultravox
Rock Me to Sleep - Sally Timms
posted by scody at 12:36 PM on December 6, 2010




King Crimson Sleepless
posted by alfanut at 1:00 PM on December 6, 2010


I need some sleep - Eels

also, The Lion Sleeps Tonight
posted by WhackyparseThis at 1:30 PM on December 6, 2010


Insomnia by the Don'ts and Be Carefuls.
posted by moonroof at 1:32 PM on December 6, 2010


Casey Dienel - Asleep at the Wheel (mp3, right-click + download)
posted by balmore at 2:34 PM on December 6, 2010


Roy Orbison - In Dreams (not the original version, but this one had a better video)
posted by Jawn at 2:55 PM on December 6, 2010


Craig David - Insomnia
posted by Ask Ives at 4:01 PM on December 6, 2010


widdershins mentions Waking the Witch by Kate Bush but in fact the entire side two of that album, Hounds of Love, is a concept piece, first a song about falling asleep, then a series of dream/nightmare songs, then a waking song :)
posted by supermedusa at 4:10 PM on December 6, 2010


Durutti Column, "Sleep Will Come" -- can't link to it, sadly.
posted by newmoistness at 4:28 PM on December 6, 2010


They Might Be Giants, "Am I Awake?"
The Postal Service, "Sleeping In"
posted by murphy slaw at 5:10 PM on December 6, 2010


My Bloody Valentine - When You Sleep
posted by Beardman at 5:53 PM on December 6, 2010


A few more:

Only In My Dreams - Debbie Gibson
In My Dreams - REO Speedwagon
Dream Weaver - Gary Wright
Dream Warriors - Dokken
Up All Night - Slaughter
posted by SisterHavana at 7:57 PM on December 6, 2010


sleepwalk - golden palominos.

i love that track.
posted by soi-disant at 2:31 AM on December 7, 2010


Seeing the other "Insomnia" titles reminded me of Insomnia - Faithless
Also, No Sleep Till Brooklyn - Beastie Boys
posted by Jakey at 3:43 AM on December 7, 2010


Dream in Color - Black Lab
posted by JDHarper at 6:14 AM on December 7, 2010


"Will You Still Love Me in December" has Julie Doiron singing over and over "I could sleep many days and it wouldn't make a difference without you." That era of her stuff seems all about winter-induced and post-partum depression, so...
posted by ifjuly at 7:49 AM on December 7, 2010


Also, Heart - "These Dreams"
posted by ifjuly at 7:50 AM on December 7, 2010


And Yo La Tengo's "Tears are in Your Eyes" has the line "you tell me that you haven't slept in days/you tell me sleeping only makes you tired anyway" and seems mostly about stuff similar to the JD song.

And the Butchies' "Heartfelt" has a similar line: "I'd tell you that I've been awake for days/but that's not really true/I've been walking around asleep/thinking about you."
posted by ifjuly at 7:53 AM on December 7, 2010


> My Bloody Valentine - When You Sleep

That reminds me, "Only Shallow" has lyrics about sleeping and pillows (I know, who'dathunk you could find relevant lyrics for anything from an MBV song but!).
posted by ifjuly at 7:56 AM on December 7, 2010


I'm a little late to the post, but I did a radio show about this when I had the enviable 4:30 a.m. slot:

5th Dimension - (Last Night) I Didn't Get to Sleep At All
Big Black - Sleep!
Billy Pilgrim - Insomniac
Bon Jovi - I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
Decemberists - Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect
Dolly Parton - I'm Gonna Sleep With One Eye Open
Elastica - Waking Up
Four Tops - Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)
Idlewild - Let Me Sleep Next to the Mirror
Incredible String Band - No Sleep Blues
Lyle Lovett - Sleepwalking
M Ward - Four Hours in Washington
Manic Street Preachers - I Live to Fall Asleep
Mothers of Invention - Sleeping in a Jar
Bobby Lewis - Tossin' and Turnin'
Oasis - Morning Glory
The Partridge Family - I Woke Up in Love This Morning
Razorlight - Up All Night
Robert Wyatt - Heaps of Sheeps
Saint Etienne - Can't Sleep
Soft Machine - Why Are We Sleeping
The Arcade Fire - I'm Sleeping in a Submarine
The Boomtown Rats - Up All Night
The Diodes - Tired of Waking Up Tired
The Electric Prunes - I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)
The Kinks - I Go to Sleep
The Kinks - Just Can't Go to Sleep
Tiger Trap - You're Sleeping
Warren Zevon - I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
WuTang Clan (f. Isaac Hayes) - I Can't Go to Sleep
posted by sciapod at 7:51 AM on December 8, 2010


A late submission but I must make this suggestion.
The Dandy Warhols - Sleep
posted by metatomorrow at 4:01 PM on December 13, 2010


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