One of the best known American power pop bands, the group's biggest hits over the years include "I Want You to Want Me", "Surrender", "Dream Police", "Don't Be Cruel" (a cover of Elvis Presley's hit), and "The Flame". Their most recent release, The Latest, has gained critical acclaim. They also wrote and performed the theme song for "The Colbert Report" as well as "That 70s Show", both tunes being fan favorites.
Nielsen and Petersson originally formed the group as Fuse in 1967, with Carlos joining the group several years later; however, when Zander joined as vocalist in 1972, the group was renamed Cheap Trick. Zander is considered one of the best hard rock vocalists of his era. For their part, Tom Petersson has been known for playing custom made 8, 12, and even a 18 string custom bass made by Modulus for Tom in 1981 and Rick Nielsen also has a penchant for unusual instruments. He owns and plays a five-necked solidbody electric guitar (it can be seen in the video for the song "She's Tight" among others).
Studio Albums
(1977) Cheap Trick [a.k.a Cheap Trick (1997)]
(1977) In Color
(1978) Heaven Tonight
(1979) Dream Police
(1980) All Shook Up
(1980) Found All The Parts
(1982) One on One
(1983) Next Position Please
(1985) Standing on the Edge
(1986) The Doctor
(1988) Lap of Luxury
(1990) Busted
(1994) Woke Up With A Monster
(1997) Cheap Trick [a.k.a Cheap Trick (1997)]
(2003) Special One
(2006) Rockford
(2009) The Latest
(2016) Bang, Zoom, Crazy...Hello
(2017) We're All Alright!
(2021) In Another World
[Live Albums]
(1978) At Budokan
(1978) Budokan II
(1998) At Budokan: the Complete Concert
(1999) Music for Hangovers
(2001) Silver
Woke Up With A Monster
Cheap Trick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Daddy's coming home, coming home tonight.
No bed of roses for your head, for you.
You see no future, it's all in the past.
This is a nightmare, won't be your last.
It's hard to admit, it's hard to admit you're that blind.
Mommy and daddy don't see eye to eye.
Mommy and daddy they don't understand.
What's wrong with this picture, is right in their hands.
Sleeping with an angel. ah
Woke up with a monster. ah
Sleeping with an angel. ah
Woke up with a monster. ah
Hush little darling, don't be long.
Momma's little angel can't do nothing wrong.
No bed of roses in your head, for you.
Who'll dry your tear when you cry?
Daddy's comin' home just in time.
Will, he be the one to make it, to help make it right?
Mommy and daddy don't see eye to eye.
Mommy and daddy make each other cry.
Sleeping with an angel. ah
Woke up with a monster. ah
Sleeping with an angel. ah
Woke up with a monster. ah
Not sleeping with an angel. ah
Not sleeping with an angel. ah
Mommy and daddy don't see eye to eye.
Mommy and daddy don't hear when we cry.
Mommy and daddy don't see eye to eye.
Mommy and daddy don't see when we cry.
Mommy and daddy they don't understand.
What's wrong with this picture, is right in their hands.
Sleeping with an angel. ah
Woke up with a monster. ah
Sleeping with an angel. ah
Woke up with a monster. ah
Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
No! no! no! no! no! no! no! no! no.
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, ow.
The song "Woke Up With A Monster" by Cheap Trick is about the unfortunate reality of dysfunction in a family. The opening lines reflect the father's attempt to comfort his child, but it holds no promise of being a bed of roses, indicating that the parent understands how hard the world can be. The child, however, is gripped by nightmares, which they feel will never end. The father, frustratingly, cannot seem to help because it is difficult for the child to admit that they cannot see a bright future ahead.
The refrain "Sleeping with an angel. Ah, woke up with a monster" expresses the feeling of being deceived. The angel could be a symbol of a perfect family or life, but waking up with a monster, most likely the result of the dysfunctional family and household, shatters the illusion. The parents in the situation cannot see eye to eye and are not attuned to the emotions of their children, causing pain and alienation in the family.
Overall, "Woke Up With A Monster" is a poignant commentary on the damage that broken familial relationships can cause, especially in children. The song emphasizes that it is crucial for parents and caregivers to be present, empathetic, and supportive to help children navigate the challenges of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Hush little darling, don't you cry.
Don't worry, my love. Everything will be okay.
Daddy's coming home, coming home tonight.
I will be home tonight to provide comfort and reassurance.
No bed of roses for your head, for you.
Life is not always easy and straightforward.
You see no future, it's all in the past.
You feel stuck in the past and unable to move forward.
This is a nightmare, won't be your last.
Life will continue to be difficult, but we'll face it together.
It's hard to admit, it's hard to admit you're that blind.
It's difficult to admit that sometimes we are unable to see a way forward.
Mommy and daddy don't see eye to eye.
Mom and Dad have different perspectives and disagreements.
Mommy and daddy don't see when we cry.
They are unaware or ignore our pain.
Mommy and daddy they don't understand.
Parents may be unable to comprehend their child's struggles.
What's wrong with this picture, is right in their hands.
The issues causing problems are directly related to the parents' actions or inactions.
Sleeping with an angel. ah
We have a sense of peace and comfort in our sleep.
Woke up with a monster. ah
But sometimes we wake up to a harsh reality in the form of challenges.
Not sleeping with an angel. ah
We're now facing harsh realities without the prior sense of peace.
Mommy and daddy make each other cry.
Our parents' relationship is strained and causing them pain.
Who'll dry your tear when you cry?
When times are hard, who will be there to comfort and support us?
Daddy's comin' home just in time.
Father will arrive to provide support and love.
Will, he be the one to make it, to help make it right?
We hope that our father can help us find a solution to our problems.
Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
A sense of panic or worry about the situation.
No! no! no! no! no! no! no! no! no.
Continued panic or sense of being overwhelmed.
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, ow.
Vocalization of the distress and pain felt by the situation.
Lyrics Ā© Wixen Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICK NIELSEN, TOM PETERSSON, ROBIN ZANDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gibson Explorer
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Beavis and Butthead!
Michael Florio
How many other singers can absolutely belt out lyrics with as much force and clarity as Robin Zander? Not to damn many!!!
Raylan Givens
Michael Florio and still can.
DV DODDS
Robin Zander is indeed one of the most underrated Singers in Rock History. The guy is 65 years old now and he can still hit the high notes.
MrMegaFredZeppelin
One of Cheap Trick's best tunes in my opinion. ROCK ON!!!!!
Gary Macrie
I absolutely love hearing this song live They really rip the sh*t out of it. !! Robin screams like a mad man !!!
Scott
Loved this song and the Album they released around '89 or '90 that has the same name as this track. So much of Cheap Trick's catalog is extremely underrated by the average listener. Sure, they've laid a few "turds" in their NEAR 40 year career, but this generally is considered one of "those" by many. I am in total disagreement. Great song and record.
Bill W
The 1997 follow is the one you are thinking about
Minooch
+scott mairs Released in 1994.
aspalovin
This song blew me away as a young teen. I heard 'I Want You to Want Me', The Flame and Surrender and loved it. As I was was discovering Cheap Trick this epic ripper arrived. It instantly became one of those jams that glues yer earballs open!!!!
metallooney
Congrats on Cheap Trick for finally being nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame(2016)