She had hair like Jeannie Shrimpton back in 1965
She had legs that never ended
I was halfway paralyzed
She was tall and cool and pretty and she dressed as black as coal
If she asked me to I'd murder, I would gladly lose my soul

Now I lie in bed and think of her
Sometimes I even weep
Then I dream of her behind the wall of sleep

Well she held a bass guitar and she was playing in a band
And she stood just like Bill Wyman
Now I am her biggest fan
Now I know I'm one of many who would like to be your friend
And I've got to find a way to to let you know I'm not like them

Now I lie in bed and think of her
Sometimes I even weep
Then I dream of her behind the wall of sleep

Now I lie in bed and think of her
Sometimes I even weep
Then I dream of her behind the wall of sleep

Got your number form a friend of mine who lives in your home town
Called you up to have a drink
Your roommate said you weren't around
Now I know I'm one of many who would like to be your friend
And I've just got to find a way to to let you know I'm not like them

Now I lie in bed and think of her
Sometimes I even weep
Then I dream of her behind the wall of sleep
Behind the wall of sleep
Behind the wall of sleep
Behind the wall of sleep


Lyrics submitted by Arbiter

Behind the Wall of Sleep Lyrics as written by Pat Dinizio

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

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Behind the Wall of Sleep song meanings
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9 Comments

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  • +3
    General Comment

    Saw the Smithereens recently. Pat talked about writng the song. It was about Kim Ernst from a Boston band called the Bristols. If they play in your local area they are a must see. Awesome show.

    northeastnostalgiaon April 23, 2013   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    It's a pretty straight-forward song about having a crush on a bass-player who's a bit out of his reach. I first heard this on the Left of the Dial compilation (excellent compilation of 80's underground music, pick it up) and I can't stop playing it. It actually reminds me of the song "Left of the Dial" by The Replacements.

    EnidCaulfieldon July 07, 2007   Link
  • +1
    My Opinion

    I saw about 80% of the video for "Behind the Wall of Sleep" on MTV one night in 1986 or 1987 and had to find the album. Wow. After more than twenty years, the song hold up very well, and indeed, I rate Especially for You as one of the three best albums, start-to-finish, among the several hundred in my collection (the other two being Lush's Lovelife (1996) and Squeeze's Argybargy (1980)). At some point I supplemented the LP I'd originally bought with a CD, but it still gets a regular listen.

    NAwlinsContrarianon June 28, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I first heard this song on a freebie compilation CD I got from Borders Books. Bill Wyman was one of the Rolling Stones. Who is Jeannie Shipton? Is this song about a specific musician, or just painting a picture?

    There's many songs about dreams, but I like how this one avoids the cliche by using "wall of sleep".

    Arbiteron March 18, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this is a great song. I think that he's in love with this girl, but she's avoiding him, so the only thing he can do is the "dream of her behind the wall of sleep"

    LonelyHeartson January 03, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Jeannie Shrimpton was a model in the 1960s.

    sangsueon March 06, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I have always thought the song was about his crush of the bass player from the Cramps of circa mid 1980ies I think Candy del Mar but the dark raven haired one

    dewroodiion February 10, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Great rock song. Just straight to the heart, just a simple catharsis. This kind of music doesn't get enough credit.

    OpinionHeadon March 31, 2008   Link
  • -3
    General Comment

    I dont like their lyrics.. Maybe because they are too tipical, too simple. Just like they are written for teenagers. and maybe is...

    Gehenaon September 08, 2007   Link

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