I Live To Fall Asleep

Depression and/or a deeper mental disorder is certainly the backdrop for this song. It seems to be a dialogue between two conflicting perspectives. As it switches from first person to third person, it seems to first sympathize with the violent, depressed figure and then alternately condemn their weakness and lack of action. The first person character seems to be haunted by dark and potentially delusional thoughts. It’s possible it refers to James Richey or another figure like him. Richey was known to suffer from severe depression and his disappearance in 1995 is potentially attributable to suicide. Taken in this context, ‘falling asleep’ could be an analogy for silencing one’s own political voice During Richey's time with the Manics, he was very outspoken in terms of social commentary and contributed the bulk of the band’s lyrics. Even if the disappearance was not suicide, Richey unquestionably gave up his mission of preaching societal reform when he disappeared. The third person narrator in the song expresses some outrage at the silence of the depressed figure; “How could you become another boy struck dumb?” The narrator here clearly believes that the other figure has something meaningful to say, but isn’t saying it. The third person narrator clearly had a close intimate relationship with the depressed person; “When did you become another distant friend? Everyone who loved you stayed, waited till the end.” The narrator is disappointed that their friend gave in to the depression or mania and stopped being a meaningful contributor in the lives of their friends and loved ones. This song tries to sympathize with the depressed/delusional figure by understanding the context of the person’s thoughts; but in the end, the overwhelming sentiment is disappointment and bitterness for having lost a meaningful voice and meaningful emotional relationship to depression and weakness. The crux of the sentiment is contained in the chorus, which is simply; “How could you…?”

This song is so nice. Its a song about laziness and how the 'boy' is struck dumb with love, meaning he's in love with being lazy... i think, maybe a bit too obvious. Someone once said to me this song was about me... what a compliment... it's still a fantastic song though.

I bought this Manic's album right around the time I became infatuated with this girl I barely knew. I would try to make myself fall asleep earlier and earlier each day to make the day I could see her again come quicker. Eventually she moved and now this song just reminds me of how I wasted a few good months of my life. There haven't been many songs that really feel like a 'soundtrack' for my life, but this one certainly does (even though I'm aware that my situation isn't really what the song's about).

Possibly about depression? One of the symptoms of depression can be hyposomnia (increased desire to sleep). Could be showing a person's thoughts during the depressive period, and then times when they're less depressed - "When did you become another distant friend"

I thought it was depression too. Things like "it's when I stop the hate", "skin so tense gives in / I've lived enough to kill" etc... maybe "everyone who loved you ... till the end" could be jealousy, i.e. the person didn't love the singer (or whoever) enough to stay till the end. "It helps me through the day. drink is never dulled, a pain so deep does run" etc... obvious. "When did you decide that sleep could save your life" - if he doesn't sleep (being the only time he can get away from his depression) he'll kill himself. There's loads more stuff in the lyrics that makes it obvious, I won't write another essay, find it yourself. :)

P.S. the condition is hypersomnia, not hyposomnia, which is the opposite. Normally called insomnia :p.

Yeah, another song about richey depression, and nihilism.

This song always feels like the opposite of Sleepflower.

One of the best on the album. Nihilism? Depression? Nicky just overtired? Could be everything. One of the best things about the Manics is that a lot of their songs are very ambiguous- everyone can have their own interpretation, making it special for everyone in different ways. I often listen to this one before going to bed :)

It sounds like there's a load of tweeting birds in the background of the chorus... which is odd.