The band met at the University of Nottingham and within their first year together self-released their debut 'Noah' EP, performing at Reading & Leeds Festival. Their first album ‘5AM’, produced by Mike Crossey (Arctic Monkeys, The 1975, Foals, Two Door Cinema Club), broke through in 2015 spawning the US platinum single ‘I Found’.
They returned in 2017 with second album ‘For A Moment, I Was Lost’; soundtracking Meghan Markle’s final appearance in the US drama ‘Suits’ with their track ‘Fickle Game’, before following up with ‘The Assembly’ EP in 2018 and ‘Philophobia’ in 2019, with shows including London’s iconic Roundhouse and New York’s Music Hall of Williamsburg.
Insomniac
Amber Run Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Remind me of someone that I used to know
You've got his eyes
You've got his shadow
When did you become the kind of man to dance at funerals?
Are you lost?
Does it feel like it was barely yesterday?
Do the promises you make feel light and cheap?
Are you losing any sleep?
Are you losing any sleep?
You, my friend
Remind me of someone that I used to know
You've got his scars
You wear the same clothes
When did you become the kind of man to live in dark roads?
Are you lost?
Does it feel like you gave it all away?
Does it feel like it was barely yesterday?
Do the promises you make feel light and cheap?
Are you losing any sleep?
Are you losing any sleep?
Are you lost?
Are you lost?
Are you lost?
Are you lost?
Are you lost?
Are you lost?
Are you lost?
Are you lost?
Are you lost?
Are you lost?
Are you lost?
Does it feel like you gave it all away?
Does it feel like it was barely yesterday?
Do the promises you make feel light and cheap?
Are you losing any sleep?
Are you losing any sleep?
The lyrics of "Insomniac" by Amber Run speak about a friend who reminds the singer of someone they used to know. The friend possesses traits and characteristics similar to the past acquaintance, such as his eyes, shadow, scars, and clothing. The singer also notes that the friend has become the kind of man to dance at funerals and live in dark roads, which could hint at a significant change that has occurred in the friend's life.
The chorus of the song repeats the questions "Are you lost?" and "Are you losing any sleep?" These lines could suggest that the friend is struggling with something or going through a difficult time. The questions; "Does it feel like you gave it all away? Does it feel like it was barely yesterday? and Do the promises you make feel light and cheap?" could imply that the friend might have made some poor choices, perhaps related to personal relationships, career, or other aspects of life. The song captures the deeper emotions of the singer's observations, and the lyricism can be interpreted in different ways based on one's own perspective and experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
You, my friend
The singer addresses someone they consider to be a friend.
Remind me of someone that I used to know
The singer sees similarities between their friend and someone from their past.
You've got his eyes
The friend's eyes resemble those of the person from the singer's past.
You've got his shadow
The friend's presence and mannerisms are reminiscent of the person from the artist's past.
When did you become the kind of man to dance at funerals?
The artist questions their friend's recent behavior, specifically his willingness to dance at a somber event like a funeral.
Are you lost?
The singer wonders if their friend is feeling disoriented or confused.
Does it feel like you gave it all away?
The singer wants to know if their friend feels like they have sacrificed too much or lost something important.
Does it feel like it was barely yesterday?
The artist asks if their friend's struggles and regrets still feel fresh and relevant.
Do the promises you make feel light and cheap?
The artist is questioning the sincerity and weight of the promises made by their friend.
Are you losing any sleep?
The artist asks if their friend is experiencing insomnia or other sleep-related difficulties due to their stresses.
You've got his scars
The friend's physical scars mirror those of the person from the singer's past.
You wear the same clothes
The friend dresses similarly to the person from the artist's past.
When did you become the kind of man to live in dark roads?
The singer questions when their friend started to lead a life full of struggles and difficulties.
Are you lost?
The singer again asks if their friend is feeling lost or unsure of their direction in life.
Are you losing any sleep?
The singer repeats their earlier query, asking if their friend is having trouble getting enough sleep.
Does it feel like you gave it all away?
The artist repeats their earlier question, asking if their friend still feels like they have lost something important.
Does it feel like it was barely yesterday?
The artist repeats their earlier question, asking if their friend's struggles and regrets still feel fresh and relevant.
Do the promises you make feel light and cheap?
The singer repeats their earlier question, suggesting that their friend's promises still seem insincere or insubstantial.
Are you losing any sleep?
The singer repeats their earlier question for a second time.
Writer(s): Joshua Keogh, Henry Wyeth, Tomas Sperring, Felix Archer, William Jones
Contributed by Mackenzie T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.