Phillips began Toad the Wet Sprocket in 1986. By 1988, they had signed with Columbia Records. After recording six albums and playing many major tours, they disbanded in 1998.
During his time in Toad the Wet Sprocket, Phillips was involved in a pop rock project called flapping, Flapping.
Three years later, following the breakup of Toad, Phillips released his first solo album, Abulum, which was a change from the sound that Toad the Wet Sprocket was known for. This was followed up by a self-released live album and solo touring, along with a reunion tour with his former Toad bandmates
In 2004, Phillips, with Nickel Creek, released a long-awaited collaboration as Mutual Admiration Society. The self-titled album had been recorded in 2000 and featured songs written by both Phillips alone and as collaborative efforts, and was released on Sugar Hill Records.
In 2005, Phillips returned to a major label via Universal Records' Lost Highway imprint and released the critically acclaimed Winter Pays For Summer. The album included the radio single "Duck and Cover," but Phillips and the label would part ways due to some creative differences.
Phillips released his third proper solo album, Mr. Lemons in the spring of 2006. The music video for the album's first single, "Everything But You," made its debut as a Yahoo! Exclusive Premiere on May 11, 2006.
Sleep of the Blessed
Glen Phillips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Made spectacular claims
And I lied in the name of a good love
I think I recall
Someone brought me here
But the memory's not clear
Just what it was
A good love
You define yourself by your company
By the promises you make
And the ones that you keep
Sleep the sleep of the blessed
Dream the dreams of the whole
Forget when you wake
How far you've fallen down below
You can blow me a kiss
If you think it brings luck
It's the faith that makes it work
So what the fuck, why not?
(Chorus)
Down from a good love
You had a good, good love
The song "Sleep of the Blessed" by Glen Phillips is a beautiful composition that captures the sentiment of the singer's introspection. The first verse starts with the artist admitting to making "spectacular claims" which were lies, but he did so in the name of "good love." The precise meaning of this statement can be ambiguous, but it suggests that the singer may have lied to protect a love relationship or to keep it going. He remembers someone bringing him here, but the memory is faded, and he does not recollect the reason why. The artist's search for a way to define himself is reflected in the words, "you define yourself by your company, by the promises you make, and the ones that you keep." This highlights that the singer sees the quality of life anchored in meaningful relationships and fulfilling commitments.
The chorus advises the listener to "sleep the sleep of the blessed, dream the dreams of the whole, forget when you wake, how far you've fallen down below." The message here is clear; no matter how far we may have strayed from our goals and aspirations, we can always rest and start afresh. The song encourages listeners to find peace in their sleep, allowing them to dream about promising futures and forget the failures of the past. The song's final line reminds the audience that the singer has fallen from a place of "good love," and this could mean that the singer is trying to get back to that place, or trying to make peace with his fall.
Line by Line Meaning
I've done it again
I have made mistakes again
Made spectacular claims
I have made unbelievable promises
And I lied in the name of a good love
I have deceived someone I loved for my selfish reasons
I think I recall
I have a vague memory
Someone brought me here
Someone helped me reach where I am today
But the memory's not clear
But I am not sure of who that person was
Just what it was
Just what they did for me
A good love
A love that was kind and pure
A good love
A love that was true
You define yourself by your company
You are known by the people you associate with
By the promises you make
By the commitments you promise to fulfill
And the ones that you keep
And the ones that you actually fulfill
Sleep the sleep of the blessed
Rest like a person who has everything they want
Dream the dreams of the whole
Imagine a life that encompasses everything you ever dreamed of
Forget when you wake
Forget every regret and worry as you start a new day
How far you've fallen down below
How much lower than your expectation you have fallen
You can blow me a kiss
You can show affection by blowing someone a kiss
If you think it brings luck
If you believe that it would be beneficial
It's the faith that makes it work
The belief in something makes it achievable
So what the fuck, why not?
Isn't it worth trying something new?
Sleep the sleep of the blessed
Rest like a person who has everything they want
Dream the dreams of the whole
Imagine a life that encompasses everything you ever dreamed of
Forget when you wake
Forget every regret and worry as you start a new day
How far you've fallen down below
How much lower than your expectation you have fallen
Down from a good love
From a love that was kind and pure
You had a good, good love
You once had a love that was true
Contributed by Nicholas G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.