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Who's Been Sleeping Here?
The Rolling Stones Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

What you say girl, you see what is wrong
You, must be joking, you was led alone
But the butler the baker, the laughing cavalier
Will tell me now, who's been sleeping here

I want to know
Tell me baby, who's been sleeping here
What you say girl, who'd you see that night
I was doing, doing something right
Oh the soldier, the sailor then there's the three muskateers
They'll now tell me now, who's been sleeping here

Did I ever tell you I want to know
Hey baby, who's been sleeping here

Don't you look like, like a Goldilocks
There must be somewhere, somewhere you can stop
Yes there's the noseless old newsboy the old British brigadier
But you'll tell me now, who's been sleeping here

Who's been eating, eating off my plate
Who will tell me, who'll investigate
There's the sergeants the soldiers the cruel old grenadiers
But they'll tell me, now, who's been sleeping here

Cause I want to know who's been sleeping right here
Was it your mummy, your daddy, who's been sleeping here
Was it your auntie, your uncle, who's been sleeping here
Was it your boyfriend, your girlfriend, who's been sleeping here

Overall Meaning

The song "Who's Been Sleeping Here?" by The Rolling Stones is a playful tune that features a conversation between Mick Jagger and a girl. The girl seems confused and is unable to answer Jagger's question regarding who has been sleeping in his bed. The lyrics are filled with metaphors and references to fictional characters, making it difficult to interpret the literal meaning. However, one can deduce that the song is about infidelity and mistrust in a relationship. Jagger is suspicious and determined to find out who has been sleeping with his lover.


The lyrics are peppered with several literary allusions. The "butler, the baker, and the laughing cavalier" all refer to characters in the famous nursery rhyme "Pat-a-Cake." The "three musketeers" mentioned in the song are the singers of the popular novel by Alexandre Dumas. The "Goldilocks" reference alludes to the character in the story "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." These allusions add depth to the lyrics and evoke a sense of whimsy.


In the end, the song leaves the listener without a clear answer regarding who has been sleeping with Jagger's lover. The playful tone of the lyrics, coupled with the catchy melody, ensures that the song leaves a lasting impression on listeners.


Line by Line Meaning

What you say girl, you see what is wrong
I want to know if you noticed any issues


You, must be joking, you was led alone
You must be kidding, you were alone


But the butler the baker, the laughing cavalier
I am considering all possible suspects


Will tell me now, who's been sleeping here
Please inform me who has slept in this place


I want to know
I am eager to find out


Tell me baby, who's been sleeping here
Please tell me who has slept in this place


What you say girl, who'd you see that night
Did you see anyone that night?


I was doing, doing something right
I was occupied doing something productive


Oh the soldier, the sailor then there's the three muskateers
I have multiple suspects in mind


They'll now tell me now, who's been sleeping here
They will reveal who has slept in this place


Did I ever tell you I want to know
Have I informed you that I am curious to find out?


Hey baby, who's been sleeping here
Please tell me who has slept in this place


Don't you look like, like a Goldilocks
You look similar to Goldilocks


There must be somewhere, somewhere you can stop
You must have a place to stay


Yes there's the noseless old newsboy the old British brigadier
I have more suspects to consider


But you'll tell me now, who's been sleeping here
You will disclose who has slept in this place


Who's been eating, eating off my plate
Who has been consuming my food?


Who will tell me, who'll investigate
Who can provide information or look into this?


There's the sergeants the soldiers the cruel old grenadiers
I have more potential suspects


But they'll tell me, now, who's been sleeping here
They will tell me who has slept in this place


Cause I want to know who's been sleeping right here
I am determined to discover who has slept in this particular spot


Was it your mummy, your daddy, who's been sleeping here
Could it have been a family member who has slept here?


Was it your auntie, your uncle, who's been sleeping here
Could it have been a relative who has slept here?


Was it your boyfriend, your girlfriend, who's been sleeping here
Could it have been a romantic partner who has slept here?




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: KEITH RICHARDS, MICK JAGGER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@비정한세상

What you say girl, you see what is wrong
You, must be joking, you was led alone
But the butler the baker, the laughing cavalier
Will tell me now, who's been sleeping here

I want to know

Tell me baby, who's been sleeping here

What you say girl, who'd you see that night
I was doing, doing something right
Oh the soldier, the sailor then there's the three musketeers
They'll now tell me now, who's been sleeping here

Did I ever tell you I want to know
Hey baby, who's been sleeping here

Don't you look like, like a goldilocks
There must be somewhere, somewhere you can stop
Yes there's the noseless old newsboy the old british brigadier
But you'll tell me now, who's been sleeping here

Who's been eating, eating off my plate
Who will tell me, who'll investigate
There's the seargeants the soldiers the cruel old grenadiers
But they'll tell me, now, who's been sleeping here

Cause I want to know who's been sleeping right here
Was it your mummy, your daddy, who's been sleeping here
Was it your auntie, your uncle, who's been sleeping here
Was it your boyfriend, your girlfriend, who's been sleeping here



All comments from YouTube:

@reginer7115

This song gets overlooked all the time. Deserves more love

@ead630

This is top 10 Stones material maybe even top 5 I'm not even joking

@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe

Right in 9 years absolutely correct. Unless the Boys try to do it live in 2024.

@brianharrison4496

Beautiful Song from the Wonderful Between the Buttons LP 1967! With Brian Jones playing a lot of Instruments! The Very Best Stones!

@BigSky1

Brian plays harmonica on this.

@brianharrison4496

Yes Big Sky one more Instrument played by the "Multi Faceted" and "Orchestra Man" Brian Jones! RIP

@BigSky1

Brian also plays an Autoharp way down in the mix.

@brianharrison4496

@@BigSky1 Yes Big Sky Brian knew how to make even better any song! He always gave it a different Sound! He had that Wonderful Talent!

@_balloon_7698

This song is criminally underrated

@giotex2328

this is what I always thought

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