Sleeper Factory
Animal Collective Lyrics
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At the Sleeper Factory
Where people sleep in tiny rooms
They sleep upon their fronts and on their toes
Should I tell you where I wanna go?
To a sleepy undertow
Drifting away off in the deep
Should I tell you what I wanna do?
Find a bed and sleep with you
'Cause two can sleep, much more than one
And sleepin' with another is so much fun
And we're gone they'll leave us be
We're at the sleeping factory
And we'll be back in a week
They'll find us by the lake or by the creek
The lyrics to Animal Collective's song "Sleeper Factory" express a desire for a simple, peaceful existence, away from the chaos and noise of the world. The singer is torn between two different types of sleep: the regimented, almost robotic sleep of the Sleeper Factory and the gentle, dreamy retreat of the "sleepy undertow." They long for a place where they can relax and find solace from the strains of modern life.
The singer's desire for a more intimate connection is also touched upon, as they express a yearning to sleep with someone else. They suggest that sleeping with another person can be more enjoyable and comforting than sleeping alone. This sentiment is juxtaposed with the sensation of being left in peace once you are inside the Sleeper Factory. The singer imagines themselves and their sleeping partner as two small entities, forgotten by the outside world.
Overall, there is a longing in the lyrics for the innocence and simplicity of childhood, when sleep came easily and without struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
Should I tell you where I wanna be?
The singer is contemplating whether or not to reveal their desired location.
At the Sleeper Factory
The Speaker wants to be at the Sleeper Factory.
Where people sleep in tiny rooms
The Sleeper Factory is a place where people sleep in cramped spaces.
They sleep upon their fronts and on their toes
The people at the Sleeper Factory sleep on their stomachs and on their tiptoes.
Should I tell you where I wanna go?
The Speaker is again considering whether or not to share their desired destination.
To a sleepy undertow
The Speaker wishes to be in a place where they feel drowsy and relaxed.
Drifting away off in the deep
The Speaker wants to be in a state of serene relaxation.
I wish there was a place I'd like to sleep
The Speaker desires to find a place where they can comfortably rest.
Should I tell you what I wanna do?
The Speaker is asking if they should reveal their intentions.
Find a bed and sleep with you
The Speaker wants to share a bed with the person they are addressing.
'Cause two can sleep, much more than one
Sleeping with another person is more enjoyable than sleeping alone.
And sleepin' with another is so much fun
Sharing a bed with someone is a pleasurable experience for the Speaker.
And we're gone they'll leave us be
The Speaker and their bed partner will not be disturbed while they are sleeping.
We're at the sleeping factory
The Speaker and their partner have found themselves at the Sleeper Factory.
And we'll be back in a week
The Speaker intends to stay at the Sleeper Factory for a week.
They'll find us by the lake or by the creek
When the Speaker and their partner leave the Sleeper Factory, they will be found near a body of water.
Contributed by Julia N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
offbeat kiki
Should I tell you where I wanna be?
At the Sleeper Factory
Where people sleep in tiny rooms
They sleep upon their fronts and on their toes
Should I tell you where I wanna go?
To a sleepy undertow
Drifting away off in the deep
I wish there was a place I’d like to sleep
Should I tell you what I wanna do?
Find a bed and sleep with you
‘Cause two can sleep, much more than one
And sleepin’ with another is so much fun
And we’re gone they’ll leave us be
We’re at the sleeping factory
And we’ll be back in a week
They’ll find us by the lake or by the creek
Huge Vergamo
No way they didn't use this song on Sung Tongs or at least on some weird EP holy god i'll never forgive this atrocity of being one of the most beautiful songs i've ever heard and made it lost media almost
Procerus
They used to play it live around the sung tongs era but it never made it to an official album sadly, this upload's audio is from the breezeblock session specifically. It probably was on Sung Tongs early but then they refined it and I guess decided to drop this piece, tbf it does have more of a campfire songs feel than sung tongs.
shapes
everything animal collective makes is so powerfull
offbeat kiki
Should I tell you where I wanna be?
At the Sleeper Factory
Where people sleep in tiny rooms
They sleep upon their fronts and on their toes
Should I tell you where I wanna go?
To a sleepy undertow
Drifting away off in the deep
I wish there was a place I’d like to sleep
Should I tell you what I wanna do?
Find a bed and sleep with you
‘Cause two can sleep, much more than one
And sleepin’ with another is so much fun
And we’re gone they’ll leave us be
We’re at the sleeping factory
And we’ll be back in a week
They’ll find us by the lake or by the creek
Mr. Red
Oooooo it would be so cool if you covered this one
Bloody finger
I find these sounds so healing
Mike Denby
I wish they'd post-release this as an EP with some of their other unreleased acoustic stuff.
Ethan JH
easily one of my favorite animal collective songs
bossa boy
this song is like an acoustic hug
Luke
Just an amazing song!! Should have been on an album.