In The Dark
Carl Broemel Lyrics
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I see 'em walking up and down the road
You'd think eventually they would be sleepy
And try to find a quiet place to go
But there's a limited number of spaces
With comfy mattresses and soft pillows
Whether your bed is just a spot on the pavement
You're gonna end every day of your life lying there
In the dark
You're gonna end every day of your life lying there
I'm tired of writing pretty invitations
To the slumber that never comes
Clock ticks, talking all night
And an empty stomach keeping me up
Dancing all evening, all my friends
Stumbling drunks
Hanging back, thinking you're better
But I don't care who you are
You're gonna end every day of your life lying there
In the dark
In the dark of your room
In the dark
In the dark
Brain still humming a tune
Pray for the sleep that's coming
And hope for the dawn to hold on
Hold on
It's no wonder
I don't dream about you
It's no wonder
I don't sleep
I don't dream
I woke up early and I stood at the window
Felt like the only body in the world
Raincoats, taxi horns
One big yellow blur
I'm hanging on to sense, making a little
Watch me pour it down the hole
If you've got somebody
Or you crawl into a bed all alone
You're gonna end every day of your life lying there
In the dark
In the dark of your room
In the dark
In the dark
Brain still humming a tune
Pray for the sleep that's coming
And hope for the dawn to hold on
Hold on
Hold on
In Carl Broemel's song "In the Dark," the artist reflects on the experience of living in a bustling city where people are constantly moving and awake at all hours. Despite the commotion and noise, people eventually retire to their beds, whether it's a mattress on the sidewalk or an apartment on the 85th floor. With a sense of resignation, Broemel acknowledges that every day will end with moments alone in the dark.
Broemel finds himself struggling to sleep, describing himself as tired of "writing pretty invitations to the slumber that never comes." He's kept up at night by an "empty stomach" and the "talking all night" of clocks. He contrasts his own struggles with those of his friends, who may be stumbling drunk or thinking they're better than others. However, it's irrelevant who they are - everyone ends up lying in the dark, their brains humming a tune.
Despite his own difficulties sleeping, Broemel hopes for the dawn to hold on, portraying a sense of optimism through waiting for the new day to come. He emphasizes the importance of holding on, both to this hope and to the sense of purpose in the face of chaos.
Overall, Broemel's contemplative lyrics paint a vivid picture of life in a busy, sprawling city. Through his own struggles and observations of others, he explores themes of isolation, belonging, and hope in the face of uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
So many people are awake in the city
There are numerous people who are awake and not sleeping in the city.
I see 'em walking up and down the road
I observe them walking on the road.
You'd think eventually they would be sleepy
At some point, one would assume that they would feel tired.
And try to find a quiet place to go
And attempt to find a peaceful place.
But there's a limited number of spaces
There is only a finite number of suitable locations.
With comfy mattresses and soft pillows
That have comfortable mattresses and soft pillows.
Whether your bed is just a spot on the pavement
Even if your bed is a spot on the pavement.
Or an apartment on the 85th floor
Or an apartment located on the 85th floor of a building.
You're gonna end every day of your life lying there
Ultimately, each day shall culminate with you lying there.
In the dark
In darkness.
I'm tired of writing pretty invitations
I am weary of authoring aesthetically pleasing invitations.
To the slumber that never comes
To the sleep that will never arrive.
Clock ticks, talking all night
The clock ticks while people talk all night.
And an empty stomach keeping me up
And an empty stomach is preventing me from sleeping.
Dancing all evening, all my friends
Dancing with all my friends the entire evening.
Stumbling drunks
People who are stumbling due to being inebriated.
Hanging back, thinking you're better
Hesitating and presuming you are superior.
But I don't care who you are
But your identity does not matter to me.
In the dark of your room
In the dark of your dorm.
Brain still humming a tune
The brain continues to be preoccupied with a melody.
Pray for the sleep that's coming
Meditating for the sleep that is approaching.
And hope for the dawn to hold on
And hoping for the morning to arrive and not lose its grasp.
I woke up early and I stood at the window
I awoke early and stood at the window.
Felt like the only body in the world
Felt as if I were the only person in the world.
Raincoats, taxi horns
Raincoats and car horns.
One big yellow blur
One giant yellow haze.
I'm hanging on to sense, making a little
I am holding on to my senses and maintaining a bit of sanity.
Watch me pour it down the hole
Watch me allow it to drain away.
If you've got somebody
If you have someone.
Or you crawl into a bed all alone
Or if you are alone and get into bed.
Hold on
Hang on tight.
It's no wonder
It is understandable.
I don't dream about you
I do not romantically fantasize about you.
I don't sleep
I don't get restful sleep.
I don't dream
I do not dream while sleeping.
In the dark of your room
In the dark of your dwelling.
Brain still humming a tune
The brain is preoccupied with music.
Pray for the sleep that's coming
Meditating for the sleep that is approaching.
And hope for the dawn to hold on
And hoping for the morning to arrive and not lose its grasp.
Hold on
Hang on tight.
Writer(s): CARL WILLARD BROEMEL
Contributed by Caroline A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.