INSOMNIA
Caroline Polachek Lyrics
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How long 'til the bath runs cold?
Come dawn, come day, come half-awake
Come blue, come gray, come waves that break
And it's not enough
No reply, no relief
That once were green
Burned by someone just like me
Come dawn, come day, come half-awake
Come blue, come gray, come waves that break
And it's not enough
No reply, no relief
Hold on
Hold on
To save a single living piece of us
I still got it
I still got your heat
Caroline Polachek's song Insomnia is an introspective piece that delves into the feelings of anxiety and desperation that arise from being unable to sleep. The first verse depicts the physical discomfort of insomnia, as the singer wonders how long they can withstand being cold in the storm outside, or how long it will take before the warmth of the bathroom goes away. These lyrics are a metaphor for the feeling of being out of control and vulnerable, like being caught in a storm, or being forced out of a warm and safe environment.
The second verse describes the mental toll of insomnia, as the singer's thoughts turn to the future, with no relief or hope of sleep. The line "Dreams of dried fields that once were green, burnt by someone just like me" is a powerful metaphor that suggests a feeling of guilt or responsibility for the destruction that the singer sees around them. The repeated refrain of "come dawn, come day, come half-awake, come blue, come grey, come waves that break" reinforces the feeling of being trapped in a perpetual cycle of insomnia, where every day is a struggle to stay awake and functional.
Finally, the repeated plea to "hold on" suggests that the singer is desperately clinging to something - perhaps a relationship, a memory or a hope - as a way to anchor themselves in the face of their insomnia. The final line, "I still go out in your honor," could be interpreted as a way of finding meaning and purpose in spite of the singer's insomnia - a reminder that even in the depths of despair, there is still beauty and connection to be found in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
How long can someone stay warm in the storm
How long can someone endure through difficult times and still remain emotionally stable
How long 'til the bathroom's cold
How long does it take for the warmth and comfort of our daily habits to fade away
Come dawn, come day, come half-awake
From morning until night, from half-asleep to half-awake, and through all the drowsy in-between moments
Come blue, come grey, come waves that break
Through the melancholy feelings of blue and grey, and the rhythmic repetition of waves crashing
And it's not enough
Despite life's small comforts and routines, they do not suffice for deeper emotional fulfillment
No reply, no relief
Feeling unheard and unsupported in this state of uncertainty and distress
Dreams of dried fields
A metaphor for hopelessness and despair, as dreams of formerly fertile fields now lay barren
That once were green
Representing a past that was full of possibilities and promise
Burnt by someone just like me
The realization that we contribute to the destruction of our own hopes and dreams in the same way that others do
Hold on
A plea to persevere and not give up
Just say, just say you'll never leave me
A desperate desire for companionship and assurance in times of struggle
Please don't
A plea to not abandon them in their time of need
I still go out
Despite everything, they still try to maintain a sense of normalcy and routine
I still go out in your honor
Doing so as a tribute to someone who they care for, who gives them the strength to keep going
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Caroline Polachek, Daniel L. Harle
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind