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.
(Yeah!)
Well, we assure you, the procedure is safe and routine
Dramamine sends haunting dreams (Dramamine sends haunting dreams)
With an incessant drip, signs pockets like a palsy
'Cause you have to work hard for.. (Yeah you work hard for what you've got)
Yeah you have to work hard for.. (Yeah you work hard for what you've got)
(Yeah you work and now your...)
(Local.. Ane..sthe..sia.. Teases)
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia
Sleep, Oh! Sleep, Oh! Sleep, Oh!
We'll breathe the sweet air through your nose
Sleep, Oh! Sleep, Oh! Sleep, Oh!
We'll breathe the sweet air through your nose
Something practiced is something perfect
Our selfishly slim member cuffed
The season's got us eating less and less (less and less..)
You walk the full length of Manhattan in no time flat
While your slow, sick words start sticking in every stare
(Yeah you work hard for what you've got
Yeah you work hard for what you've got
Yeah you work and now your...)
(Local... Ane... sthe...sia.. Teases..)
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia
Sleep Oh! Sleep Oh! Sleep Oh!
We'll breathe the sweet air through your nose
Sleep Oh! Sleep Oh! Sleep Oh!
We'll breathe the sweet air through your nose
(Lo...cal... Ane... Sthesia... Teases..)
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia,
Teases me too!
Sleep Oh! Sleep Oh! Sleep Oh!
We'll breathe the sweet air through your nose
Sleep Oh! Sleep Oh! Sleep Oh!
We'll breathe the sweet air through your nose
Yeah you work hard for what you've got
(Breathe the sweet air through your lungs)
Yeah you work hard for what you've got
Yeah you work hard for what you've got
Yeah you work hard for what you've got
Yeah you work hard for what you've got
Yeah you work hard for what you've got
Yeah you work and now you're...
Well, we assure you, the procedure is safe and routine
Dramamine sends haunting dreams (Dramamine sends haunting dreams)
With an incessant drip, signs pockets like a palsy
'Cause you have to work hard for.. (Yeah you work hard for what you've got)
Yeah you have to work hard for.. (Yeah you work hard for what you've got)
(Yeah you work and now your...)
(Local.. Ane..sthe..sia.. Teases)
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia
Sleep, Oh! Sleep, Oh! Sleep, Oh!
We'll breathe the sweet air through your nose
Sleep, Oh! Sleep, Oh! Sleep, Oh!
We'll breathe the sweet air through your nose
Something practiced is something perfect
Our selfishly slim member cuffed
The season's got us eating less and less (less and less..)
You walk the full length of Manhattan in no time flat
While your slow, sick words start sticking in every stare
(Yeah you work hard for what you've got
Yeah you work hard for what you've got
Yeah you work and now your...)
(Local... Ane... sthe...sia.. Teases..)
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia
Sleep Oh! Sleep Oh! Sleep Oh!
We'll breathe the sweet air through your nose
Sleep Oh! Sleep Oh! Sleep Oh!
We'll breathe the sweet air through your nose
(Lo...cal... Ane... Sthesia... Teases..)
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia,
Teases me too!
Sleep Oh! Sleep Oh! Sleep Oh!
We'll breathe the sweet air through your nose
Sleep Oh! Sleep Oh! Sleep Oh!
We'll breathe the sweet air through your nose
Yeah you work hard for what you've got
(Breathe the sweet air through your lungs)
Yeah you work hard for what you've got
Yeah you work hard for what you've got
Yeah you work hard for what you've got
Yeah you work hard for what you've got
Yeah you work hard for what you've got
Yeah you work and now you're...
Lyrics submitted by hplssrmantcxox
Sleep Lyrics as written by Edward Reyes Adam Burbank Lazzara
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
THey should have worked harder on this one, it had the potential to be a really good poppy hit song, and it is better than most of their CD. It is probably Slim Member, considering the next line is the seasons got us eating less and less.