Regarding the pronunciation of "Bic": "You say it Bec, rather than Bic", she explains. "It's Chinese, it's a strange vowel sound which doesn't seem to translate in English. It means the colour of jade, which I suppose is just green."
Runga was born in Christchurch. Her mother, Sophia Tang, was a Chinese Malaysian lounge singer in Malaysia when she met Joseph Runga, a Mฤori soldier on leave from Vietnam. They both moved to New Zealand to live.
Runga grew up in Hornby, Christchurch surrounded by a musically-inclined family, and started recording songs with her sisters, Boh and Pearl, when she was only four years old. Runga's older sister Boh is now a vocalist in the New Zealand rock group Stellar*, while Pearl is a session singer.
She learned how to play drums at the age of eleven, and guitar at about fourteen. Runga also learnt to play the keyboard at around this time. She attended Cashmere High School, joining high school bands and performing with local jazz groups by her mid-teens.
Singles
* "Bursting Through" (1996)
* "Sway" (1997) #10 Australia (re-issue Ireland in 2004 went to #26)
* "Suddenly Strange" (1997)
* "Roll into One" (1997)
* "Hey" (1998)
* "Sorry" (1999)
* "Get Some Sleep" (2002) #75 United Kingdom #3 New Zealand #27 Ireland
* "Something Good" (2002) #4 New Zealand
* "Listening for the Weather" (2003) #14 New Zealand
* "Winning Arrow" (2005) #23 New Zealand
* "Say After Me" (2006)
Get Some Sleep
Bic Runga Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And back to Union Square
Where do I get some sleep?
Anywhere the sleep dust lies
It decorates your eyes
Where do I get some sleep?
Stranded in June
But I do believe I might be having fun
I believe I might be having fun
Impeccably dressed in your second hand vest
We were waiting for the taxi to come
Putting on my daytime eyes
A good enough disguise
Until I get some sleep
Reading out the horoscopes
And using up our jokes
When do we get to sleep?
Stand on the moon
Find the light of my living room
Yes I do believe I might be having fun
I believe I might be having fun
Tune into the station
Make a dedication
This is going out to everyone
This is going out to everyone
This is going out to everyone
Something in the phrasing was quietly amazing
We were waiting for the chorus to come
This is going out to everyone
This is going out to everyone
From here to there to everywhere
And back to union square
Where do I get some sleep?
Anywhere the sleep dust lies
It decorates your eyes
When do I get some sleep?
Stranded in June
Whistling the same old tune
Yes I do believe I might be having fun
I believe I might be having fun
Tune into the station
Make a dedication
This is going out to everyone
This is going out to everyone
This is going out to everyone
This is going out to everyone
Going out to everyone
This is going out to everyone
The song "Get Some Sleep" by Bic Runga paints a picture of someone who is tired, overwhelmed, and desperate for rest. The opening lines of "From here to there to everywhere, and back to Union Square, where do I get some sleep?" sets the tone of someone who is constantly on the move and longs for a place to rest. The repetition of the line "Where do I get some sleep?" emphasizes the desperation of the singer. The lyrics suggest that the person is searching for a temporary respite from constancy of life's demands.
The middle of the song shifts focus and introduces a brief moment of respite where the singer feels like they might be having fun. In the midst of chaos, the mundane act of waiting for the taxi becomes an enjoyable moment shared with someone special. The line "Impeccably dressed in your second hand vest, we were waiting for the taxi to come" suggests that the singer is comfortable in the presence of someone special and feels that the little moments can make a big difference in a hectic day.
The final section of the song reverts back to the theme of searching for sleep. The line "Putting on my daytime eyes, a good enough disguise until I get some sleep" reinforces the idea that the singer is tired but needs to continue functioning. However, the last lines show that the singer is not alone in their fatigue, as they send a dedication out to everyone who may be feeling the same way.
Line by Line Meaning
From here to there to everywhere
And back to Union Square
Where do I get some sleep?
Traveling all over the place and ending up back in Union Square, where can I find a place to rest and get some sleep?
Anywhere the sleep dust lies
It decorates your eyes
Where do I get some sleep?
Anywhere I can find some sleep dust, because it will help me sleep better, it's all over my eyes.
Stranded in June
Whistling the same old tune
But I do believe I might be having fun
I believe I might be having fun
Feeling stuck in a situation and going through the same routine, but realizing that even though it's repetitive, there is some enjoyment in it.
Impeccably dressed in your second hand vest
We were waiting for the taxi to come
Looking really good in your thrifted clothing, and waiting for a taxi to arrive.
Putting on my daytime eyes
A good enough disguise
Until I get some sleep
Masking my tiredness with a false appearance in order to be presentable and wait until I can finally rest.
Reading out the horoscopes
And using up our jokes
When do we get to sleep?
Passing time by reading horoscopes and telling jokes, but still wondering when we'll be able to sleep.
Stand on the moon
Find the light of my living room
Yes I do believe I might be having fun
I believe I might be having fun
Imagining standing on the moon and looking at the light in my living room, and realizing that there can be joy in even the simplest or most fanciful things.
Tune into the station
Make a dedication
This is going out to everyone
Listening to the radio and dedicating a song to all the listeners out there, in hopes that they're able to find some enjoyment in their lives.
Something in the phrasing was quietly amazing
We were waiting for the chorus to come
This is going out to everyone
Hearing something particularly moving or special in a song's lyrics, and waiting eagerly for the chorus to come. This dedication goes out to all listeners of the song, to share in that experience together.
Going out to everyone
This is going out to everyone
This message is being sent out to everyone, in the hope that they can find some happiness and purpose in their lives.
Lyrics ยฉ Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BIC (BRIOLETTE KAH) RUNGA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Clive Ang
From here to there to everywhere
And back to Union Square
Where do I get some sleep?
Anywhere the sleep dust lies
It decorates your eyes
Where do I get some sleep?
Stranded in June
Whistling the same old tune
But I do believe I might be having fun
I believe I might be having fun
Impeccably dressed in your second hand vest
We were waiting for the taxi to come
Putting on my daytime eyes
A good enough disguise
Until I get some sleep
Reading out the horoscopes
And using up our jokes
When do we get to sleep?
Stand on the moon
Find the light of my living room
Yes I do believe I might be having fun
I believe I might be having fun
Tune into the station
Make a dedication
This is going out to everyone
This is going out to everyone
This is going out to everyone
Something in the phrasing was quietly amazing
We were waiting for the chorus to come
This is going out to everyone
This is going out to everyone
From here to there to everywhere
And back to union square
Where do I get some sleep?
Anywhere the sleep dust lies
It decorates your eyes
When do I get some sleep?
Stranded in June
Whistling the same old tune
Yes I do believe I might be having fun
I believe I might be having fun
Tune into the station
Make a dedication
This is going out to everyone
This is going out to everyone
This is going out to everyone
This is going out to everyone
Going out to everyone
This is going out to everyone
Anyone going to Manila Globals??
Edwin Trinidad Depaz Jr.
From Here To There To Everywhere
And Back To Union Square
Where Do I Get Some Sleep?
Anywhere The Sleep Dust Lies
It Decorates Your Eyes
Where Do I Get Some Sleep?
Stranded In June
Whistling The Same Old Tune
But I Do Believe I Might Be Having Fun
I Believe I Might Be Having Fun
Impeccably Dressed In Your Second Hand Vest
We Were Waiting For The Taxi To Come
Putting On My Daytime Eyes
A Good Enough Disguise
Until I Get Some Sleep
Reading Out The Horoscopes
And Using Up Our Jokes
When Do We Get To Sleep?
Stand On The Moon
Find The Light Of My Living Room
Yes I Do Believe I Might Be Having Fun
I Believe I Might Be Having Fun
Tune Into The Station
Make A Dedication
This Is Going Out To Everyone
This Is Going Out To Everyone
This Is Going Out To Everyone
Something In The Phrasing Was Quietly Amazing
We Were Waiting For The Chorus To Come
This Is Going Out To Everyone
This Is Going Out To Everyone
From Here To There To Everywhere
And Back To Union Square
Where Do I Get Some Sleep?
Anywhere The Sleep Dust Lies
It Decorates Your Eyes
When Do I Get Some Sleep?
Stranded In June
Whistling The Same Old Tune
Yes I Do Believe I Might Be Having Fun
I Believe I Might Be Having Fun
Tune Into The Station
Make A Dedication
This Is Going Out To Everyone
This Is Going Out To Everyone
This Is Going Out To Everyone
This Is Going Out To Everyone
Going Out To Everyo
Hong Kong Hermit
I was lucky enough to see Bic Runga live in London. She was the support act for the Finn Brothers at the Royal Albert Hall, just her alone up on stage looking so adorably nervous. I'd not heard of her before, but fell instantly in love with her music buying her CD the next day. Beautiful voice, beautiful girl, beautiful songs.
ambadad
I've seen her three times in London, but sadly not at the RAH, which I'd have loved because the Finns were promoting the magnificent Everyone Is Here album. She is just brilliant.
paygehappy
Man, this song gets me in the feels every time. I think back to seeing Bic live, crying my eyes out. I get emotional, I almost well up. Such a great tune.
Ronel ferrolino
Damn im a hardcore metalhead but she got me with her voice and all the songs, love you Bic.
HeathenSW
That strange feeling when you wake up someday and remember a good old song. You whistle it all day long and then you sing it together with this one. Amazing one to remember suddenly after all these years. Thank you for existing.
David Bloxham
Beautiful. I'm proud to be a New Zealander!!
LightFรธรถt s.p.
We all do ๐ค
rozrea14
Whenever i listen to this song it gets stuck in my head! Beautiful song and I really like the lyrics
Addy Kochain
Heard this song for the first time when it came out on TV, finally went back to hear it again after 16 years and Iโm glad I did
Tim Jennings
So good!!! So easy, so effortlessly beautiful ๐