I've been watching you waltz all night, Diane
Nobody's found a way behind your defenses
They never notice the zap gun in your hand
Until you're pointing it and stunning their senses

All night long, all night long
You'll shoot 'em down because you're waiting
For somebody good to come on (all night long, all night long)
But you're sleeping with the television on

Yoh, You say you're looking for someone solid here
You can't be bothered with those 'just for the night' boys
Tonight unless you take some kind of chances dear
Tomorrow morning you'll wake up with a white noise

All night long, all night long
You're only standing there
'Cause somebody once did somebody wrong (all night long, all night long)
But you'll be sleeping with the television on

You're eyes are saying talk to me (talk to me)
But your attitude is "don't waste my time" (talk to me, talk to me)
You're eyes are saying talk to me (talk to me)
But you won't hear a word 'cause it just might be the same old line

This isn't easy for me to say Diane
I know you don't need anybody's protection
I really wish I was less of a thinking man
And more a fool who's not afraid of rejection

All night long, all night long
I'll just be standing here
'Cause I know I don't have the guts to come on (all night long, all night long)
And I'll be sleeping with the television on

You're eyes are saying talk to me, talk to me
But my attitude is "boy, don't waste your time"
Your eyes are saying talk to me, talk to me
But I won't say a word 'cause it
Just might be somebody else's same old line

All night long, all night long
We're only standing here 'cause somebody might do somebody wrong
And we'll be sleeping with the television on
Sleeping with the television on
Sleeping with the television on
Sleeping with the television on
Oh, sleeping with the television on


Lyrics submitted by fletch699, edited by DanVitaleRocks

Sleeping with the Television On Lyrics as written by Billy Joel

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Sleeping With The Television On song meanings
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5 Comments

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  • +4
    General Comment

    I really wish I was less of a thinking man And more a fool who's not afraid of rejection.

    Damn Right

    Chefdavison August 01, 2005   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    great commentary on the dating scene. "...Wake up with the white noise" -- great metaphor for being alone for fear of getting hurt.

    LolaBaton October 19, 2004   Link
  • +2
    Song Comparison

    I know it can't really be an interpretation, since the song came out two years before the show, but I'm surprised no one else has noted the similarities in this song to the television show "Cheers." The 'Diane' in the song could be 'Diane Chambers' as played by Shelley Long. The song's narrator could be one of two other characters: 'Sam Malone' (Ted Danson) or 'Frasier Crane' (Kelsey Grammer). The first half of the song sounds like Sam, telling Diane to relax her too-high standards or she'll end up alone. The second half (starting "This isn't easy for me to say Diane) is clearly the intellectual Frasier, worrying that Diane will only see him for his mind. ("I really wish I was less of a thinking man/ And more a fool who's not afraid of rejection.")

    Anyway, as I said, not an actual interpretation, just a fun comparison.

    Pascotimeson October 06, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think the whole thing about sleeping with the tv on is that the lady doesn't want to be with herself. She even has to have the tv on as she sleeps to try to avoid facing things.

    katbur1con October 23, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I kinda want to know who Diane is.

    kathy10154on December 12, 2016   Link

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