By the time of their debut album, 1980's Crocodiles - a moderate UK hit - the drum machine had been replaced by Pete de Freitas. Their next, the critically-acclaimed Heaven Up Here, reached the Top Ten in 1981, as did 1983's Porcupine and '84's Ocean Rain. Singles like "The Killing Moon" (later used in the soundtrack to Donnie Darko, a film whose imagery owed much to the artwork of the band's early records.), "Silver," "Bring on the Dancing Horses," and "The Cutter" helped keep the group in the public eye as they took a brief hiatus in the late 1980s. Their 1987 self-titled LP was a small American hit, their only LP to have significant sales there.
McCulloch quit the band in 1988. De Freitas was killed in a motorcycle accident one year later. The others decided to continue, recruiting Noel Burke to replace McCulloch on vocals in Reverberation (1990), which did not generate much excitement among fans or critics. Burke, Sargeant and Pattinson split after that, but the surviving three fourths of the original band reformed in 1997 and released Evergreen (1997), What are You Going to Do with Your Life? (1999), Flowers (2001) , Siberia (2005), and the latest addition, The Fountain (2009). The group's old audience liked the return to their classic sound, and they also managed to gain a number of new, younger listeners.
Echo and the Bunnymen were managed early on by Bill Drummond, who went on to be a founder member of The KLF.
The Somnambulist
Echo & the Bunnymen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
?
Walks in his sleep, somnambulist
Beneath the sea bed, magic potion
Waters deep for the somnambulist
Well here it is then
Loneliness
Only this
Onlyness
Out of body, through the wall
Felt so holy, felt so small
Close to godly, I'm minuscule
? my molecule
Well here it is then
Loneliness
Something's not to fear then
Only this
Onlyness
?
Up and down, up and down
That place, hopeless, I have to face
On the staircase, don't my dreams break
Don't make me wake up
Well here it is then
Loneliness
Something's not to fear then
Only this
Onlyness, onlyness
Onlyness
Well here it is then
Onlyness
Here it is then
Onlyness
Here it is then
Onlyness
Here it is then
Onlyness
Here it is then
Onlyness
Here it is then
Onlyness
"The Somnambulist" by Echo & the Bunnymen is a haunting and mysterious song that delves into the theme of loneliness and isolation. The lyrics evoke a dreamlike state, discussing someone who walks in their sleep, a somnambulist, suggesting a detachment from reality. The mention of a magic potion and deep waters adds to the surreal and otherworldly atmosphere of the song.
The repetition of "loneliness" and "onlyness" throughout the lyrics conveys a sense of longing and emptiness. The singer seems to be grappling with feelings of solitude and abandonment, possibly reflecting on personal struggles or facing inner demons. The lines, "Out of body, through the wall / Felt so holy, felt so small," hint at a spiritual experience or a moment of transcendence, where the singer feels both divine and insignificant.
The imagery of going "up and down" and feeling "hopeless" on a staircase symbolizes the cyclical nature of life's challenges and the inevitability of facing one's fears. The plea to not be woken up from the dream-like state implies a desire to escape reality or avoid confronting harsh truths. The repetitive chanting of "onlyness" emphasizes the singer's deep sense of being alone in their struggles.
The final repetition of "onlyness" at the end of the song underscores the overarching theme of solitude and introspection. The somber and introspective tone of the lyrics, coupled with the dreamy and eerie music, creates a sense of unease and melancholy. Overall, "The Somnambulist" by Echo & the Bunnymen is a compelling exploration of loneliness, inner turmoil, and the complexities of the human psyche.
Line by Line Meaning
The dreams are ?
The dreams are unknown, mysterious, and elusive
?
Unidentified and puzzling
Walks in his sleep, somnambulist
Walking in a state of unconsciousness, like a sleepwalker
Beneath the sea bed, magic potion
Deep underwater with a mystical elixir
Waters deep for the somnambulist
The depths of the ocean for the sleepwalker
Well here it is then
Now this is the situation
Loneliness
Isolation and solitude
Something's not to fear then
There's nothing to be afraid of
Only this
Just this
Onlyness
Solitude and individuality
Out of body, through the wall
Feeling detached from oneself, passing through barriers
Felt so holy, felt so small
Feeling sacred yet insignificant
Close to godly, I'm minuscule
Near divine, yet tiny
? my molecule
Merging with my essence
Up and down, up and down
Repetitive fluctuations
That place, hopeless, I have to face
Confronting a despairing situation
On the staircase, don't my dreams break
Ascending or descending without shattering my aspirations
Don't make me wake up
Don't force me to return to reality
Onlyness, onlyness
Solitude, solitude
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Ian Mcculloch, William Sergeant
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kristian Green
The dreams are chair wheels in his oceans
Walks in his sleep, the somnambulist
Beneath the seabed, magic potions
Waters deep for the somnambulist
Well here it is then
Loneliness
Something's not to fear then
only this
only-ness
Out of body, through the wall
Felt so holy, felt so small
Close to godly, I'm minuscule
The hallow wall, my molecule
Well here it is then
Loneliness
Some fear's not to fear then
Only this
only-ness
Up, down, up and down
That place, whole place, I had to face
On the staircase, don't my dreams break
Don't make me wake up
Well here it is then
Loneliness
Something's not to fear then
Only this
Only-ness
Only-ness
Only-ness
Well here it is then
Only-ness
Here it is then
Only-ness
Here it is then
Only-ness
Here it is then
Only-ness
Here it is then
Only-ness
Here it is then
Only-ness (faded)
I'm uncertain if the song says "chair wheels" that's just my best guess.
Thank you to Daniel Cruz for contributing.
Anthony Peterson
Much better than reworking old songs. Much rather hear this.
Anthony Peterson
@merboy ontiveros *their songs. And you're right, they can do what they want. I just won't listen.
merboy ontiveros
Anthony Peterson his songs he can do what he wants
Martin Farnworth
yeah. an unexciting prospect. of course i'll give it a chance it speaks to me as saying "our creative well has virtually dried up". this is new song is decent enough
Paola Riina
estoy feliz de que saquen nuevo material en estos tiempos. siempre me han gustado y aunque no fui parte de esa época, qué honor sentir un pedacito de esos años en este sonido actual.
flight1919
The more Ian lets Will do his thing,the better things are.
RocKN JB InDaD
Thats the formula! I needed that. A sacred elixer of catchy hooks and the glittering teardrops of Will. THANKS
lucio adesso
Muy bueno.gran banda.gran cantante!!estaría genial que vuelvan a Argentina!!!
Adam Turner
Awesome...gotta love it!
So glad they are still here .
alanjohn
Cracking track,see you in Dublin lads!