1
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
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
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
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.
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.