Maybe I could be the one they adore
That could be my reputation
It's where I'm from that lets them think I'm a whore
I'm an educated virgin

Sleepwalker, don't be shy
Now don't open your eyes tonight
You'll be the one that defends my life
While I'm dead asleep dreamin'

Cupid, don't draw back your bow
Sam Cooke didn't know what I know
I'll never be your valentine
The sleepwalker in me
And God only know that I've tried

Let me in, let me drown or learn how to swim
Just don't leave me at the window
I could be the one to be your next best friend
You may need someone to hold you

Sleepwalker, take this knife
You may see someone tonight
You'd be the one that saves my life
When I'm dead asleep dreamin'

Cupid, don't draw back your bow
Sam Cooke didn't know what I know
I'll never be your valentine
The sleepwalker in me
And God only know that I've tried

I'm in your movie and everyone looks sad
But I can hear you, your voice, the laughtrack
But you never saw my best scene
The one where I sleep
Sleepwalk into your dreams

Now, sleepwalker, what's my line
It's only a matter of time
Until I learn to open up my eyes
When I'm dead asleep dreamin'

Cupid, don't draw back your bow
Sam Cooke didn't know what I know
I'll never be your valentine
The sleepwalker in me

Now, the sleepwalker in me
Now, the sleepwalker in me
And God only know that I've tried


Lyrics submitted by CrzyGmOfPkr19

Sleepwalker Lyrics as written by Andre Davis Sean Chapman

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Word Collections Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Sleepwalker song meanings
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21 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    The Sam Cooke reference, which I didn't get at first either, actually ties the song together. Sam Cooke wrote and sang "Cupid" ("Cupid, draw back your bow...") Dylan's reversal of this line combined with the rest of the song's lyrics amount to a recoil from, and fear of, falling in love. He is asking the sleepwalker, whoever that is, to protect him from falling in love, or falling in lust, or both.

    DJacques75on May 24, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Sam Cooke was lured into a deadly trap and the bait was a beautiful woman who robbed him in a motel. When she was discovered, she killed him with the help of the manager. But just as Ruby Carter was wronged by the "authorities" and the "justice" system, and later honored by Bob Dylan with the classic "Hurricane", so does his son honoring Sam Cooke, tragically killed with a sexual betrayal.

    aragorn7on February 18, 2023   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I love this song, this song cemented my opinion of Jakob Dylan as an excellent song-writer. I have no idea what it means lol, but there are a few lines that really stick with me "Think I'm a whore, I'm an educated virgin. & I could be the one to be your next best friend You may need someone to hold you & But you never saw my best scene The one where I sleep Sleepwalk into your dreams & Now, sleepwalker, what's my line It's only a matter of time Until I learn to open up my eyes When I'm dead asleep dreamin'

    awesome

    Leonnion April 13, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    You're right. It Is awesome. Definetely the best song by the wallflowers

    NtoTheDrkon April 26, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    but what does it mean? i love this song...but i'm kind of shaky on it's meaning...on most of the meanings of wallflower songs actually

    SunGoddess123on May 26, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    for some reason since i have 1st heard this song it reminded me of the whole marylin monroe deal, i could be so wrong, but it can fit, i dunno y i though t that tho?!

    canada ruleson June 01, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Its a great song... but who's Sam Cooke?

    SpookyWangon June 21, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think the song is about living life like a sleepwalker drifting through the night: without a conscious purpose, without knowing what will happen next, and without any path or direction. It is this precarious and spontaneous behavior that will be a savior by getting the girl and convincing people that he is not who they think he is.

    Spiders_All_In_Tuneon August 13, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Not too sure what I think about it but I like it even though im not a HUGE Wallflowers fan But it's cool ^.^

    IllNeverKnowLoveon August 30, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this is a great song. i'm not really into the wallflowers, but for some reason i love this song. i love this:

    I'm in your movie and everyone looks sad But I can hear you, your voice, the laughtrack But you never saw my best scene The one where I sleep Sleepwalk into your dreams

    SpookyWang, Sam Cooke was a gospel/jazz singer in the 50's.

    jenrileyon March 22, 2003   Link

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