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Please Wake Me Up
Tom Waits Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I put my chips on her shoulder
Running in the carnival time
She bought the things that I told her
Made her eyes sparkle and shine
Together we'll ring in the new year
I know that she'll be my queen
And if I fall asleep in your arms
Please wake me up in my dreams

Her outfit was all made of vinyl
Like nothing I've ever seen
When our divorces are final
She'll fit right into my scheme

Together we'll ring in the new year
I know that she'll be my queen
And if I fall asleep in your arms
Please wake me up in my dreams

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Please Wake Me Up" by Tom Waits are full of vivid and imaginative visual descriptions, punctuated by a sense of longing and a desire to escape. The song seems to be describing a tumultuous and somewhat unconventional relationship, with Waits' character offering up his "chips" to his partner's "shoulders," perhaps symbolizing his willingness to trust her with his vulnerabilities and innermost fears. The carnival imagery adds to the sense of chaos and excitement, as the couple navigates the ups and downs of their connection.


The second verse is particularly intriguing, as it seems to reveal that the relationship isn't entirely above board. The mention of "divorces" suggests that both parties are still legally wed to other people, and the line "She'll fit right into my scheme" suggests a certain level of cunning or manipulation on Waits' character's part. Despite these hints of impropriety, however, there is a genuine sense of affection and commitment between the two, as evidenced by the repeated refrain of "Together we'll ring in the new year."


Line by Line Meaning

I put my chips on her shoulder
I'm taking a risk by being vulnerable and investing emotionally in this woman.


Running in the carnival time
Our relationship is exciting and unpredictable, just like a carnival ride.


She bought the things that I told her
She's willing to follow my lead and trust me.


Made her eyes sparkle and shine
I'm able to bring her joy and make her happy.


Together we'll ring in the new year
We have a future together and I'm confident in our relationship.


I know that she'll be my queen
I have a deep admiration and respect for her.


And if I fall asleep in your arms
If I become complacent or content, I'm asking for her help to keep me motivated and focused.


Please wake me up in my dreams
I want her to inspire me and help me achieve my goals, even when I'm sleeping.


Her outfit was all made of vinyl
She has a unique and unconventional style that I find appealing.


Like nothing I've ever seen
She stands out from the crowd and captures my attention in a way that no one else has.


When our divorces are final
We've both been through difficult times before and can relate to each other's struggles.


She'll fit right into my scheme
I see a future with her and am confident that she'll be a perfect partner for me.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, JALMA MUSIC
Written by: THOMAS ALAN WAITS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

nerote

This song is amazing. The world still doesn't know how good this song is. That's fine, but ...

RhythmGrizz

I'm with you. I see it.

Carl68

Tom > 🌎

1 More Replies...

Boney Tony

Toot toot whistling

Daryl Cumming

😊.

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