Sleep Spent
Death Cab for Cutie Lyrics


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I can't expel the truth
It's much more than I thought I could do
And with time my worth with stain
And split your heart from my name...
So drive away your mouth from my ears
And waste a day so I can think clearly
And what's left to wait for here
As my hands sleep spent this last year
Choking the bottle's neck that pulled you from my bed





Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Death Cab for Cutie's song Sleep Spent suggest a break-up between two individuals. The singer seems to be struggling with telling the truth, perhaps about why the relationship ended. He acknowledges that his worth with decline with time and eventually, his name will no longer be associated with the person he is singing about. The line "Choking the bottle's neck that pulled you from my bed" suggests that alcohol was a factor in the dissolution of the relationship.


The singer seems to be looking for time to think and process his emotions. He asks the other person to drive away and let him have a day to himself. The lyrics suggest a feeling of regret for the end of the relationship and perhaps some confusion about what's next.


Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of a relationship that has ended with some unresolved emotions and a search for clarity and closure.


Line by Line Meaning

I can't expel the truth
I am unable to deny the truth


It's much more than I thought I could do
The truth is harder to face than I had anticipated


And with time my worth will stain
As time passes, my value will decrease


And split your heart from my name...
I want you to forget about me completely


So drive away your mouth from my ears
I do not want to hear anything you have to say


And waste a day so I can think clearly
I need time alone to clear my thoughts


And what's left to wait for here
There is nothing left for me in this situation


As my hands sleep spent this last year
My hands are tired from the past year of holding on


Choking the bottle's neck that pulled you from my bed
I am using alcohol to cope with the pain of losing you




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BENJAMIN GIBBARD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@N-e0N

"Sleep Spent"

I can't expel the truth
It's much more than i thought i could do
And with time my worth with stain
And split your heart from my name...
So drive away your mouth from my ears
And waste a day so i can think clearly
And what's left to wait for here
As my hands sleep spent this last year
Choking the bottle's neck that pulled you from my bed



All comments from YouTube:

@xdevantx5870

This is one of the best songs ever written. I just keep coming back to it years later.

@shannonwilson8231

The emotions this song made me feel are intense, I could listen forever

@FurRealEnemies

No song makes me feel as lonely as this one does. I love it!

@Boo.....

Wolves - Phosphorescent

@CassandraJanzen

It’s been over 15 years since I saw these guys and somehow I remember every word

@xdevantx5870

Had this stuck in my head all week. Finally caved and played the full album.

@coffee5736

One of the best death cab songs.

@N-e0N

"Sleep Spent"

I can't expel the truth
It's much more than i thought i could do
And with time my worth with stain
And split your heart from my name...
So drive away your mouth from my ears
And waste a day so i can think clearly
And what's left to wait for here
As my hands sleep spent this last year
Choking the bottle's neck that pulled you from my bed

@sunsettundra3945

I feel a strong connection between this and Stability / Stable Song

@N-e0N

What is this song about? Especially this line,

"As my hands sleep spent this last year
Choking the bottle's neck that pulled you from my bed"

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