Narcoleptic Lyrics
It's not treason, it's no lie
You talk in paragraphs
I write my sentence
It's not treason, it's no lie
It's not treason, it's no lie
You frame the photograph
I sit on fences
Change of season, love can die
It's later, never sooner
If we tear out the tumor
It's later, never sooner
Or you'll end up a wreck
And you'll never wake up
You'd better keep it in check
Or you'll end up a wreck
And you'll never wake up
Wake up x3
Or you'll end up a wreck
And you'll never wake up x 4
Wake up
Just an opinion, but the song to me is not so much about narcolepsy but being in a relationship where there is no longer any love. Where the original feelings, hopes and ideas are no longer there. The narcolepsy term is just a euphamism for being asleep or oblivious to the factthere is nothing there any more. Just my interpretation. Great song, very sad.
that's exactly it, placebo doesn't tend to make their song lyrics be so straight forward and direct as to be like "oh, the song is called narcoleptic so it must be about narcolepsy!" In a way I think there's some reference to drug use here too and how that's making him lose reality of the dying relationship, as many drugs cause coma/make you sleep better when used in certain quantities.
that's exactly it, placebo doesn't tend to make their song lyrics be so straight forward and direct as to be like "oh, the song is called narcoleptic so it must be about narcolepsy!" In a way I think there's some reference to drug use here too and how that's making him lose reality of the dying relationship, as many drugs cause coma/make you sleep better when used in certain quantities.
that's exactly it, placebo doesn't tend to make their song lyrics be so straight forward and direct as to be like "oh, the song is called narcoleptic so it must be about narcolepsy!" In a way I think there's some reference to drug use here too and how that's making him lose reality of the dying relationship, as many drugs cause coma/make you sleep better when used in certain quantities.
that's exactly it, placebo doesn't tend to make their song lyrics be so straight forward and direct as to be like "oh, the song is called narcoleptic so it must be about narcolepsy!" In a way I think there's some reference to drug use here too and how that's making him lose reality of the dying relationship, as many drugs cause coma/make you sleep better when used in certain quantities.
I love the way Brian just slips "Love can die" at the end of the second verse. It seems slightly out of context when taking the song as just being about a narcolepcy, buts successfuly adds a new depth and meaning to the song.
I LOVE this song. I think it's one of their best songs ever. There's not a lot of buzz around it, but i think it's just fantastic! There is this eerie yet peaceful vibe to it, along with his breathtaking voice...it's like a nice wave to the brain, and I feel like i am gonna float away every time i hear this song...My favorite part is when he sings:
"You'd better keep it in check Or you'll end up a wreck And you'll never wake up"
Just beautiful...it's amazing, how Placebo took a sleep disorder, and made it seem so heavenly!
Narcoleptic is a very strong song because it builds up momentum.
It shows how the protagonist tries to make his partner see that their relationship has failed.
And we progress through different stages with him.
In the first verse, there's the first argument between the lovers 'my first offenses' which throws the partner off balance and who tries to justify 'talk in paragraphs' while the protagonist has already made up his mind "I write my sentence'.
In the second verse, the partner is still fighting against the shocking truth the protagonist tells them 'defenses'.
While they hold on to what once was 'frame the photograph', the protagonist is ready to leave 'I sit on fences'.
The turning point moment is the confession 'Change of season, love can die'.
They had a wonderful time together but it was just a dream and now they have to wake up and accept reality. They can't stay in that dream any longer or they will never get out of a life in which they are not meant for each other. The 'tumor' refers to the illness that has befallen their relationship, and as the saying goes: Better a miserable end than endless misery.
it seemed a place for us to dream would relate to being Narcoleptic, because it causes you to go into deep sleeps also "You'd better keep it in check Or you'll end up a wreck And you'll never wake up You'd better keep it in check Or you'll end up a wreck And you'll never wake up Wake up x3 " also refers to being Narcoleptic because you can become paralyzed and never wake up. If you dont keep in check with what youre doing you can become paralyzed and since it causes hullusionasions it would be easier to get caught up in it. Then again, Im not positive.
i think the title basically has its roots in the repetition of "wake up, wake up," as if someone is pleading for their narcoleptic to come back to the world
Anyone else see how the lyrics relate to the Lord of the Flies? 'Place for us to dream' - the idea of a paradise 'Slip and stumble at my first offenses' - descent in savargery etc. I dunno
This song is really good to go to sleep to.. its amazing. Its very soft and subtle so to speak.. Its unlike their other songs. Brian's voice is amazing on the track. Its like silk. Its wonderful. One of my fave placebo songs, but my favourite is peeping tom. Listen to it..
"slip and stumble at my first offenses" as opposed to "crush and crumble under your defences" totally make it seem that he's the weaker one in the relationship.
"you talk in paragraphs, i write my sentence"--- that line illustrates that he's the one with no important things to say and thus the weaker one; the one who's tired of the seriousness and wants to dream with her.
then Bribri's voice rises as he sings, "you better keep it in check or you'll end up a wreck and you'll never wake up", which sounds like the stronger spouse telling the narcoleptic 'i told you so'.
I like the Lord of the Flies interpretation because it is unique and I can see where you are coming from. I'm currently reading the book. Its great.