Sleep
Godspeed You Black Emperor Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Murray Ostril: '...They Don't Sleep Anymore on the Beach...'
And-ah... Anyways, let's see what else I-I, eh...
It was Coney Island, they called Coney Island the playground of the world.
There was no place like it, in the whole world... like Coney Island when I was a youngster.
No place in the world like it!
It was so fabulous, now it's shrunk down to almost nothing, you see, eh-heh.
And I still remember, in my mind how things used to be.
And-ah you know I feel very bad.

But people from all over the world came here, from all over the world.
There was a playground they called the playground of the world, over here.
Anyways, so but I-ah you know.
I even got, when I was very small I even got lost in Coney Island.
But they found me. On the beach.
And we used to sleep on the beach here, sleep overnight.
They don't do it anymore... things changed.
They dont sleep anymore on the beach...

Monheim
(Instrumental)

Broken Windows, Locks of Love Pt. III.
(Instrumental)

Overall Meaning

The Godspeed You! Black Emperor song "Sleep" is split into three sections, each with a separate subtitle. The first section is titled "Murray Ostril: '...They Don't Sleep Anymore on the Beach...'" and features a spoken-word sample of a man reminiscing about Coney Island, which he calls the "playground of the world." He talks about how the area has changed over time and how people used to sleep on the beach, but they don't anymore. The sample is followed by a slow, mournful instrumental section consisting of guitar, strings, and percussion. The music seems to evoke a sense of loss and nostalgia for a bygone era.

The second section of the song is titled "Monheim" and is an instrumental track featuring guitar, drums, and strings. The music is more intense and energetic than the first section, with a driving rhythm and layers of swirling sound building to a climax.

The final section of the song is titled "Broken Windows, Locks of Love Pt. III." It is another instrumental track, this time featuring a slower, more contemplative sound. The music is mostly carried by a melancholic guitar melody, with occasional bursts of percussion and strings adding texture and color.

Overall, "Sleep" is a powerful and evocative piece of music that seems to be about loss, nostalgia, and the passage of time. The three sections of the song flow together seamlessly, creating a cohesive and emotional listening experience.

Line by Line Meaning

And-ah... Anyways, let's see what else I-I, eh...
Murray Ostril starts his monologue with an uncertain but willing attitude.

It was Coney Island, they called Coney Island the playground of the world.
Coney Island was a place of fun and excitement for people all over the world.

There was no place like it, in the whole world... like Coney Island when I was a youngster.
Murray remembers Coney Island as the best place on earth during his younger days.

No place in the world like it!
Coney Island stood out from everywhere else in the world.

It was so fabulous, now it's shrunk down to almost nothing, you see, eh-heh.
Coney Island used to be magnificent, but it has deteriorated over time.

And I still remember, in my mind how things used to be.
Murray can still recollect how things were in his past experience.

And-ah you know I feel very bad.
Murray has a sense of regret or sorrow.

But people from all over the world came here, from all over the world.
Coney Island was a global attraction for tourists from different countries.

There was a playground they called the playground of the world, over here.
Coney Island was nicknamed as the playground of the world.

Anyways, so but I-ah you know.
Murray changes the subject without any specific direction.

I even got, when I was very small I even got lost in Coney Island.
Murray once got lost in Coney Island during his childhood days.

But they found me. On the beach.
He was eventually found by someone on the beach.

And we used to sleep on the beach here, sleep overnight.
Murray and his companions used to spend the night sleeping on Coney Island beach.

They don't do it anymore... things changed.
Sleeping on the beach is no longer a common practice due to various reasons.

(Instrumental)
The next two parts of the song are purely instrumental.

Contributed by Owen M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@aepheeckunthe

1y↑6

Это был Кони-Айленд, Кони-Айленд называли игровой площадкой мира.
Когда я был молодым, во всем мире не было такого места, как Кони-Айленд.
В мире не было места как это, и это было потрясающе.
Сейчас он ужался до ничтожества, как видишь...
И, я все еще помню как это было, и ...
ты знаешь, я чувствую себя очень плохо
Но сюда пришли люди со всего мира ...
со всего мира…
это была площадка, которую звали игровой площадкой мира...
В любом случае, видите ли, я ...
э-э ...
знаете…
Я даже, когда был очень маленьким,.. даже потерялся на Кони-Айленде,
но я нашелся...
на…
на пляже
Мы часто спали на пляже, ночевали.
Больше так не делают.
Все изменилось ...
ты видишь...
На пляже больше не спят

@MarineHovhann

6y↑9

It was Coney Island, they called Coney Island the playground of the world
There was no place like it, in the whole world, like Coney Island when I was a youngster
No place in the world like it, and it was so fabulous. Now it's shrunk down to almost nothing, you see
And, uh, I still remember in my mind how things used to be, and... uh, you know, I feel very bad
But people from all over the world came here... From all over the world... It was the playground.. they called it the playground of the world, over here
Anyways, you see, I... uh... You know... I even got.. when I was very small, I even got lost at Coney Island, but they found me. On the... On the beach
And we used to sleep on the beach here, sleep overnight... They don't do that anymore. Things changed, you see
They don't sleep anymore on the beach..."
Murray Ostril: '...They Don't Sleep Anymore on the Beach...'

All comments from YouTube:

@selectedambeintworks

2y↑194

When the doctor says you have 23 minutes left to live

@MrMaxitrillian

50w↑15

No seriously, this is definitely the song I want to play right before I die

@enderofbarts

24w

Yeah that'd make a nice requiem to my death

@TheGingerovic

17w

WORD !

@hansolowe19

13w

Put on "The Irishman".

@tubwaiyan6776

This or earthmover by HANL.

@vikivik9141

5y↑813

I love how his voice breaks and he's ready to cry when he says : they don't sleep anymore in the beach

@jackpitman15

4y↑44

Very emotional track

@flowersinathens102

3y↑5

@@Daponics89 amen

@bradtitt7572

3y↑1

@cpolicari

3y↑39

I love it because I don't think he's ready to cry. I don't think it's a sad story at all - he's just a sweet old man with a creaky voice. The band pulls this dirty musical trick with that guitar chord at just the right moment, and then suddenly this line gives us goosebumps like it's the saddest thing in the world.

@asger7442

2y↑14

to me it sounds more likes he's saying it cheerily, his voice is just shaking because he's laughing a little as he's saying it

7 More Replies...

@grogmadman522

4y↑728

To me this whole phrase "they don't sleep anymore on the beach" is very heavy for the reason that we just heard almost a minute of a man reminiscing his youth, you can feel he has good memories, and this sends us all back to all the good times we had. We all have good childhood memories, we can all relate. And he gets lost in the past, apparently remembering even more about this place where he spent a part of his childhood, and then comes the phrase, a return to reality, and the realisation that this time is over. Not only that Murray Ostril is now an old man who doesn't sleep on the beach, but also "they" don't sleep anymore on the beach. The new generation will never live an experience like he did, making it a thing of the past forever.
And i cant stop thinking about Murray Ostril's sleep on the beach, how it's a finished thing and all memories of it will be gone when he passes, just like we and all traces we ever existed are washed away by the tides of time and i see the first lights of the morning as I tell myself "don't think about it, sleep"
Which is why I think this song is named sleep.
Sleep, as in reach the state of mind numbness where you do not think about the fact we are all doomed to be forgotten, the state of mind where such an idea is tolerable. Which is why the music is so calm, but breaks into crescendo at times, because such a state is not possible to maintain constantly, and we all scream at this harsh fate during some pointless rebellion against the inevitable way things are. Then it ends, then all things end, then the song ends.

@nowhereman748

4y↑43

I'm a 36 year old man and I can't listen to this track without breaking down sobbing, and I think you just summed it up. They don't sleep anymore on the beach.. Just hearing him say that, in that voice, with all of those obvious memories behind it, breaks me completely.

@marioandres4878

3y↑17

"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die."

@crutherfordmusic

3y↑5

Titus 2 (KJV)
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

@SadPanda94

3y↑6

This can also be interpreted as, "They don't sleep anymore... on the beach". Meaning they don't sleep, they don't dream anymore.

@pacey4198

3y↑1

your reductionism, however thick, can't encapsulate this work

20 More Replies...

@revonay

33w↑55

I first listened to this song roughly a month after my mother passed away of breast cancer. I’ve heard of the band before and how revered they were but haven’t actually listened to any of their music. This song blew me away and made me bawl my eyes out, but the whole time I was listening I couldn’t stop thinking about my mother. Reminiscing on all the great times I’ve had with her and how beautiful of a person she was. I felt her energy surrounding me with the each passing note. Listening to this song to me feels like a portal into reconnecting with her spirit. I remember my mother telling me that she will continue to visit me in the afterlife and my mother haunts this song in the most beautiful way possible. No better way than through art. This will forever be my favourite song. Thank you GY!BE, I love you mom.

@paulaschmitt22

27w↑2

how truly wonderful that music says so much without a single word... thank you for sharing this

@suddha1

25w↑2

That was beautiful thank you for sharing, hope you're doing better homie ❤

@drowsygengar

8y↑320

this song makes me feel like the loneliest human in the world, and it's beautiful beyond words.

@kerryannmiller3237

8y↑7

Wow ,Honestly that is exactly how it made me feel

@TVLuke15

8y↑3

strange I felt that way walking down the street today and this song came into my head.

@Sportfuck

7y↑19

Loneliness is a very useful thing to be honest. When you don't have shit to do, you begin to think. That can be a very good thing at times. Not always though. For example, I am a total idiot.

@spiritnarrative6317

7y↑1

Very Fast you're cool tho

@MrZuchiS

7y↑1

This is exactly how GYBE makes you feel in general... absolutely astonishing

3 More Replies...

@Pariahmary

6y↑424

They played this last night at The Observatory, soon as everyone heard the first word from the beginning monologue a wave of cheers and applause filled the room.

@happyhappy85

2y↑25

I remember going to see Godspeed for the third time. I brought a friend with me who'd never seen them. He kept saying "oh I hope they play Sleep, it'll be so awesome if they play Sleep" I said "They won't, they never play it" but when we arrived Sleep started off and we were both like "holy shit!" The whole audience cheered and we hugged eachother. Awesome moment.

@stario

1y↑9

Chills reading this alone

@gabbyadams3620

2y↑150

This song has been my comfort song for probably over a year now. Whenever I feel anxious or sad or stressed I turn it on and play it on repeat. I could listen to it forever. It brings a sense of melancholy and nostalgia at the same time and it gives me shivers. I disappear when it plays and it gives me a sense of perfect calmness that nothing else can give me. It’s like they took a feeling no one can describe and turned it into a masterpiece that transforms the mind. It’s perfect.

@waschkarte3989

2y↑2

It truly is. Another one of those is "Mogwai - Take Me Somewhere Nice", in case you don't know that one. My go-to-song when I get in a difficult mental spot.

@soiless5596

it helps me as well :)

@BERNI0S

13y↑423

you're dead inside if this song doesn't make you shiver

@dorukalpsar5459

3y↑15

18:20 makes me shiver everytime i listen to this song

@Jorj57

3y↑1

always give me goosebumps, this piece of musical wizardry is just amazing

@ErnestRamaj

3y↑9

I've cried at the 17th minute.

@mr.pothosswag8396

THEY F F DONT SUV SUCK DICK ANYMORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@RookieGuitarist

2y↑3

How are you doing after 11 years?

6 More Replies...

@Willcaballero

7y↑283

I was born in Coney Island, and am sad that I never got a chance to sleep on the beach... things change.

@sphinxfive1331

4y↑24

I slept on the beach once lol . Me and my friends were looking for an appartement to rent next to the beach . We didn't find one because they were all full so we just slept on the beach

@nihil13obstat

3y↑6

I think you still hace a chance.

@sauloromano

3y↑18

18:20 your future self is watching you right now through memories

@soomoopoo2506

2y↑6

i think this may the best comment i have ever seen in my entire life

@geritheslayergd6593

42w

...And is sad. Sad, because he says: if you'd spent more time with your loved ones, I'd be happy. But I can change that. I will. Thanks for your comment.

@ferouihamza

13w

goddamn what an imagery

@andrewmelnyk6416

2y↑67

I grew up in the post Soviet time in the post Soviet country, and there would be a whole bunch of abandoned panel buildings and factories everywhere. I live in US now, but the gloom is with me forever. And this music captures it unlike anything else.

@pankajbabbar8511

6y↑149

sounds like a thousand souls are wailing

@vikivik9141

9y↑459

this band is out of this planet.....

@ZarAlberto

8y↑21

human essence, bro

@ralphk.j7809

5y↑8

This is thr best discovery since humans discovered fire

@zrinkamatezovic1535

5y↑1

@@ralphk.j7809 true and first comment = true

@breh9243

It really is

@omerkafadar5303

4y↑3

But still they sleep at the beach

2 More Replies...

@jeremiecampeau-poirier2636

8y↑267

the drum beat that starts at 18:20 is wonderful

@williamdoyle839

8y↑36

Yes squared. Simple but absolutely perfect.

@akiroai6577

37w

yeah the ghost notes gives the song grit and structure while not being overly distracting

@Mandy75642

10y↑218

This is the first song by Godspeed You Black Emperor that I've ever listened to. I closed my eyes and let my back straighten, like I was meditating, and cried for most of the song. It doesn't follow reason - music very rarely makes me that emotive, unless the piece in question bears personal meaning or an associated memory. That was beautiful.

@cluffingtonwedgewood-smyth6796

7y↑2

Amanda Grainger I recommend 'we drift like worried fire' to continue your meditation - works for me every time😁👌👍👍...

@angelpygs72

7y↑1

Amanda Grainger luciferian towers is their only positive album. My favorite of theirs thus far. Despite all of skinny fists being a quarter of a hair behind.

@jopedrop

6y↑6

i only listen to this song on fetal position while i bawl my eyes out

@unknownorl78

A comment from Fishmans - 'Long Season' video brought me here. Check that out too - you'll probably like it =)

@a100enbajada7

3y↑48

there are two things in the world that are 23 minutes long and cause me immense joy; any chapter of Seinfeld and this song.

@Treeeop

7y↑513

Someday, I'll go to Coney Island, listening to this, and sleep.

@RequiemCrimson

6y↑75

on the beach i hope

@goawaygoawaygoaway

6y↑30

sleep overnight?

@redcode230

5y↑8

They used to

@progrock5167

5y↑7

Dont get lost

@DarioCasarotti

4y↑6

Let us know when it will happen, and we will celebrate it with you, sleeping beside you on the beach in our thoughts

4 More Replies...

@BeyondBirthday2005

4y↑146

18:19 makes me feel everything is going to be all right

@monsem4378

2y↑11

Hopeful

@orbitalbutt6757

...it really shouldn't

@cornonthekobi

1y↑10

@@orbitalbutt6757 art is interpretive

@hopscotchoblivion7564

41w

Tells you to snap out of it and live life.

@jackmythos299

9y↑248

Amazing how something without lyrics can describe how I feel so much

@tunga3363

6y↑2

what do you "feel"?

@wilhemschmitt1349

5y↑17

Listen to silver mountn zion, band with the same people and excellent music only it's got people singing in it

@sahilsadikhov1030

4y↑30

Haha, words are very, unnecessary. )

@guydude439

3y↑7

@@wilhemschmitt1349 Yo I actually love their post rock. Could've Moved Mountains hits hard for me

@joyempire462

3y↑2

@@guydude439 Nice Could've Moved Mountains and the whole album is very good

2 More Replies...

@RozzWilliamGrover

7y↑313

This song grabs you by the soul. In my opinion, one of the greatest songs ever made

@pinkfloyddwc

Not a lot of singing in this “song”tho

@theorossi7405

1y↑16

@@pinkfloyddwc this is post rock bro, it doesnt need singing

@smelliottsniff

51w↑13

@@pinkfloyddwc classical music didn't have singing in it either, does that make it bad?

@narwhal3547

51w↑1

@@pinkfloyddwc This song is better than any song that has singing in it ngl, the instruments speak a thousand words anyways

@yusa4467

37w↑2

@@narwhal3547 what he really means was a "song" tends to have lyrics to sing into. and instrumental music would be called s "tune" I think cmiiw

4 More Replies...

@williamdoyle839

8y↑394

No doubt. Beginning at 18:00 is GSYBE's all time peak. A cross between Island era King Crimson and the best of shoegaze.

@harrymarcus7541

5y↑33

William Doyle 5:30 in like antennas to heaven is the peak for me

@superkatarsis

5y↑8

islands is great!!! Name more brilliant shoegaze?

@milkweedreflections

5y↑8

Broken windows Locks of love

@sauloromano

4y↑23

Swans too, like Soundtracks for the blinds

@driver1464

3y↑1

everything so perfect

1 More Replies...

@supertommy1000ify

31w↑5

One day in 1999 8 guys woke up and proceeded to create the best song of all time

@Baxendale96

10y↑259

The last 5 minutes of this song are absolutely beautiful

@Deathwhisperer13

10y↑15

I love the whole song :D

@Baxendale96

10y↑18

SunGazer osan Yeah same I think it holds up as the best song on the album, dont know how they manage to keep it this interesting for the whole 20 minutes

@Deathwhisperer13

10y↑1

agreed :)

@21chito25

10y↑8

13:00 - 23:18 my friend :)

@gijose95

9y↑5

not sure how to say this, but the last 5 minutes remind me of the movie, Sunshine.

6 More Replies...

@JsRf13

9y↑615

They don't sleep anymore on the beach...

@stefanburns3797

8y↑1

+Bendage yeah huh

@ScarletStump

8y↑5

+Bendage Let's change that

@shmaura9318

7y↑29

Lets sleep all of us on the beech... meet one day with sleeping mats in some crazy location with amazing music looking all night to the skies and disperse in music!!! :)

@shmaura9318

7y↑9

Lets sleep all of us on the beech... meet one day with sleeping mats in
some crazy location with amazing music looking all night to the skies
and disperse in music!!! :)

@QuadiePoo

7y↑30

I feel so hard at that. Such a line of longing and nostalgia. It's very beautiful. I wanna give him a hug

2 More Replies...

@sharkbaitmaster1052

7y↑582

This is the logical conclusion to music.

@sunn000

7y↑2

mr carpenter the organist is that you?

@bj_sal

7y↑10

Sharkbait Master whatcha mean?

@Daponics89

4y↑7

He means this song is good or the best.... The conclusion. Crescendo. The result. Solution.

@l.-..l.l.--l.l

4y↑1

... the end

@ileiad

There didn't have to be a decision. It was a conclusion.

2 More Replies...

@juancarlostorresgutierrez6830

2y↑31

if i had to choose what to play before dying, i'd definitely play this song one last time.

@xylan9543

i have the same thought.

@Mikhael37

5y↑66

Everyone is talking about the last five minutes but around 4:00 that silent guitar is just hitting the spot for me, then the build up into around 6:30 oh my god...

@ausgaze436

3y↑12

yeah you know what's going on, love that part.

@soupmug9896

1y↑2

this whole song is so perfect

@draindroid9980

5y↑91

I feel like this community has changed, Most of these are from years ago. I hope everyone who commented is okay. I feel for all of y’all, this music is something from somewhere we’d have to die to know. It’s 430am and is not okay but it’s something my life is in desperate need of. CLEAR MY SOUL

@szymonchoros4132

4y↑4

I sincerely hope you are ok nowadays.

@i.hold.vertigo2329

4y↑10

Godspeed is niche. And they don't flood the market with advertising so any new listeners are finding out about them through a friend recommending them. Could be one reason for this community's stagnation.

Another possibility is that things just fade. I was looking up Elvis Costello on a whim and realized I had no idea he ever recorded critically acclaimed music, but he did. Several albums. Everything has it's time and place and eventually fades from cultural consciousness in favor of the new. It's not right or wrong, it just is.

We should all be grateful to have this band in whatever capacity, and grateful to be able to express our admiration.

@nowhereman748

4y↑2

I hope you're okay too, friend.

@peterwong2409

I have nothing to say. Except, maybe, thank you for your care.

@sebastianmoise

10y↑86

it's like falling in love this track, soft at first, and then all your wildest feelings emerge and overwhelm you completely...

@alwaysnegative211

5y↑67

When you see a song's length and it's 23:17 thats overwelming, but when you listen to it and it's over befor you know it.

@ultimaeclisse

3y↑4

and yet somehow keeps going on, and on, and on inside your head; and keeps coming back; as if, it never really ends, does it?

@julia_749

30w

true 😊

@afdfafdafadsfafga

12y↑43

literally one of the greatest bands in the history of music

@tedleidel5843

6y↑663

This song holds a special place in my heart. I've always listened to the first 2 songs of this album (Storm and Static) since i've known this album ( 2 years) but this song and Antennas to Heaven for some reason never made me interested. Fast forward to last week and i'm depressed, high on LSD, failing in everything (college, friends, family, work, etc) and feeling trapped like i have never felt in my life. It didn't help to realize that a lot of my current situation was my own fault and i felt worst because of this. So as high as i was i started looking for records to listen to and i remembered this album. "Storm" made me wept with tears of joy but the end of the song made me remember that there are worst things up ahead. "Static" slowly unraveled and left me paralyzed when it ended. So far so good. They were the songs that i've known and love for over 2 years. Then this track came in. The slow building that starts at 1:08, note after note described me a man defeated, unable to fight back, remembering every little fucked up thing, every sin, every mistake and all the anguish he felt (that i felt) given his situation. The melody became intolerable until it reached 9:25 . The song takes an unexpected turn and suddenly it feels like a weight has been lifted. Suddenly life doesn't feel that heavy and memories start come back. Good memories, of your friends, your family, your first love. That is until the minute 13:00 and you realize that memories aren't good enough, that you want to improve your situation and become a better person. The song takes a break and at 16:00 comes one of most life affirming experiences that i've ever had. It eruptes with joy and you can't help but smile all the way through till the end. When the track ended i felt the urge to search in the internet for opinions of this track, to tell everybody to listen to this album, to not miss out in this experience, maybe someone who felt the same might have some fun reading this comment. This album and this track in particular will always be an integral part of who i am, of course i didn't solve my problems but it will always remind me there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

@gage9171

6y↑21

I was going to type out a bit of a tale of my first introduction to this band (this song to be exact), but I read yours, and I feel you completely. There are no words to truly explain the nonsense of this band (again, or this song to be exact) and the feels you get as you ride along this roller coaster of highs and lows over the 20+ min songs these true gods provide for our insignificant little ears.

@mecapart

6y↑8

ur comment deserve more like ^^

@Chnapik

underrated comment

@eslamrezk1323

6y↑13

I feel you. I was depressed af that I thought about suicide more than anything else and then I listened to this masterpiece. Monhiem was the saddest and darkest piece of music ever to me. However, broken windows and locks of love was like my salvation. I felt like heaven was hugging me whispering "It's ok, go on, don't give up"

I hope you're doing well at the moment 💙

@Oflaherty86

5y↑13

Cheers for reminding me to order some acid off the dark web

22 More Replies...

@sonikkuffffff

13y↑91

@Iconoclast12100 The voice is of a man named Murray Ostril and he's simply talking about the good old days where things were simple and people seemed to trust each other more. On its own I'm sure it wouldn't stand out; all of us have heard our grandparents talk about the old days, but in the middle of an album comprised of mostly anti-capitalist messages it stands out quite a bit which is why I'm not surprised people are moved by it so much. As for the point of the album, it's up for argument.

@samwise2588

3y↑10

I slept on a beach once. Rode up near the Great Bear Dunes with some beautiful, nice, girl. We hopped a fence at a state park. Trespassing on miles of gorgeous shorelines. Mid-spring, too early to really be sleeping outside, but just close enough to the frosts of winter where you just need to be outside again. And you'd suffer to just get the freedom again. There were animals tracks all along the coast. We ate fish on a brush-fire. The waves were deafening in the otherwise quiet of night. We got closer, and we slept. And then awoken by a violent storm. We scattered back into the car, running for a while, and climbing the dune and chain-link. We laughed for a while, drying off all too slowly in my little sedan. And it was glorious. Sleeping on the beach is badass.

If you haven't slept on a beach, you should really consider it.

@v.9428

3y↑3

What a beautiful story, something you could find in a book or even in a movie, i realy loved it, living it must have been amazing!

@TheOrnageJuice

13y↑85

Best part starts at 0:01 and it never ends. It just makes everything so much better

@youtubeisevil

3y↑7

Nah! 0:00

@yurikadzz

Nada en mi vida se ha sentido tan bien como la primera vez que escuché esta cancion ajs

@soiless5596

@@youtubeisevil truuueeeeee

@riccardo.a.wilson

3y↑12

I wish I could listen to this for the first time again

@McBignLargeBJ64

9y↑248

18:18 is heartbreakingly beautiful

@MysteriousGuy90

9y↑15

+DAD fandango i see drummers having an orgasm... lol

@williamdoyle839

8y↑1

Yes it is

@Setri123

7y↑40

i lost count of how many times i cried to this section

@Lmemn

DAD fandango q

@alexisvideoandphotography1337

Profile picture matches it

@redpanda900

11y↑134

It's not just a song, it's a story.

@jimmulator3902

4y↑6

7 years later, what’s your story? What have you seen in the last 7 years?

@redpanda900

4y↑36

@@jimmulator3902 Went to school, got multiple degrees, got wife'd up, got the home, everything I though I needed to do. Nothing really changed. Still find myself coming back to this song, on rare occasions, on lone nights, wondering what it's all about.

@joemama-ny3hl

Kyler Fisher have you have a clue on what it is? i find myself wondering what is it as well. i feel lost and confused like is there a plan? are we by ourselves? i like to think not even though i dont believe in a higher spirit. whats do you think? what is it all about?

@bittersweettragedy8584

4y↑5

@@redpanda900 7 years have past but you still comeback to gybe!, i'm glad when i see the old comment have comeback 'cuase everytime i read an old comment i wonder what is he/she doing nowadays, is they still alive ? forgot an id ? and most of them never comeback, that why i'm so glad to see you ♥

@Guswal03

@@joemama-ny3hl There is a plan, everything happens for a reason.

@CrimsonOptics

7y↑285

This band inspires me to become a better musician.

@Rithmy

5y↑15

Keep going!

@joemama-ny3hl

4y↑20

have you become a better one? i hope you did. praying!

@angelpygs72

8y↑150

Hearing all this chat about 21:00 makes me extremely exited, and I think this is the best song I've ever heard at 6:00. I must be in for a damn good ride.

@sparrow6190

8y↑14

Monheim is my favorite*, something about the energy

@angelpygs72

8y↑13

***** static just became my favorite. Mostly the atmosphere.

@necromantic2955

tell me what emotion makes you transmit the end of broken windows is beatiful

@ihitterdal

9y↑87

possibly the best song to exist. Monheim is a testament to the potential of minimalist music, Broken Windows is different from it yet pretty much pure beauty at the same level

@mericet39

7y↑32

18:20 to end - some of the finest drumming I've ever heard

@idontknow-re9dx

3y↑202

Listening to one of the greatest songs of all time, 14 seconds left to fully conclude the song

"Writing's not that easy. Luckily, grammarly can help!"

@cpolicari

3y↑11

Like a Deadhead sticker on a Cadillac.

@literallyautisticspastic5842

@@cpolicari "don't look back. you can never look back."

@quantumfizzics9265

2y↑1

adblock

@grug2085

2y↑3

@@quantumfizzics9265 the thing with adblock is that you're robbing the artist but idgaf i dont want ads in my music and im not paying

@quantumfizzics9265

2y↑2

@@grug2085 yeah I feel you. fk ads especially when listening to this masterpiece

4 More Replies...

@Cymburr18

4y↑20

this music makes me realized that i need to enjoy where I am, what I am. Before its too late and no one will ever recognized how it feels like being in that situation.

@wyli1738

44w

I’m here listening to this song in 2023. Hope your life is going well :)

@RareHer0

5y↑26

This is a piece that really builds your soul and your existence,
perfectly reflects the feeling of the ups and downs that define our
lives and the seminal conquest at the end of the journey.

This piece helped me several times, and still helps me when I need it, no medicine will be as effective as this, do not waste your time on artificial solutions, put a phone in your ears, close your eyes, drink your favorite beverage while enjoying, forget about what is around you, create your own reality and renew your energies with what you will hear, simple like this ... yes, it's that simple, believe me !!

@HumilityJavierPh

9y↑70

I want to marry this song.

@Vinemaple41

1y↑12

The 3rd movement is just beyond words, the type of music that echoes throughout the whole cosmos

@barbwireboy2

9y↑116

everytime 21:00 starts, I just have to close my eyes and smile

@Kwikhodron

6y↑4

18:00 for me

@sirawesomehat8814

5y↑6

Both 18:00 and 21:00 make me smile but 21 makes me sob from joy

@necromantic2955

Tears in My eyes it's is beatiful , amazing

@dustinneal1259

1y↑17

This is still the greatest piece of music in all of history.

@richardm8852

6y↑133

y'all are talking about crying at 18:00 but meanwhile I was already tearing up by 11:50

@maxma1203

3y↑3

damn, im weak as hell since i teared up a single minute into the song

@hypnoshypnos4755

4y↑26

I used to listen to this song a lot circa 2009-2010. It has definitely aged well. gives me chills down my spine.

@rbdriftin

40w↑9

One of the best pieces of art ever created. That crescendo at 21:00 is just the greatest thing.

@905Review

3y↑15

Man, to think one day they slept on the beach and didn't realize it would be their last. Almost like how you once played outside with your friends not knowing then that it would be the last time

@CaptainComposte

12y↑20

this is seriously one of the most inspirational songs I've ever heard

@marmellotto4

5y↑18

This song is a caleidoscope for your soul.. magnificent.

@devboyd1783

2y↑12

Just found this band... This is an immensely emotional piece of work, I feel nostalgic for experiences I've not been a part of, I feel emotions from memories that aren't mine. The entrancing noise seemingly turns into a sort of distorted operatic vocals filled with despair of a happy time long ago, when everything wasn't in a state of abysmal chaos and disorder. This is what the true magic in music is, sadness is sometimes a good feeling.

@viniciuscomacento

10y↑27

I slept on the beach on the new year's eve. All I could think about was about this tune.

@kaitiglazier

8y↑4

I slept on the beach in a tent two weeks ago in Delaware. Had to stay hidden from cops and security though.

@Im12nWhatIsThis

5y↑26

I’ve heard a lot of songs. This is one of the best I’ve ever heard.

@badwinkles7896

10y↑161

timeless

@trungams98

7y↑2

I have the same profile picture on facebook (^^^)

@badwinkles7896

7y↑26

hey me from 3 years ago

@ericgeorgescu3391

5y↑1

Timeless

@lucaricci9520

5y↑1

@maisatanel

5y↑3

hey you from 5 years ago

3 More Replies...

@eccojammed

3y↑6

This song is an emotional rollercoaster. You hold back the tears 18:05 but then at 18:19 you break.

@diegosebastian2226

44w↑8

I saw GY!BE for the second time last year here in London, in September. They played 3 dates, and I only found out about them late so was only able to go to one of the 3 dates. Because of that feeling of missing out, I saw they were playing in Stockholm in April of this year, and I immediately booked a ticket and a flight and went with just a backpack, crashing a friend's couch. Midway into their set, we heard the "It was Coney Island...." vocals and the whole room went absolutely insane, screaming and cheering. They played the 'Monheim' movement, and it brought tears to my eyes hearing it. That was my third time seeing them live. I very much hope it wasn't my last (I still want to hear "Rockets Fall on Rocket Falls" live)...every time I see them, I feel like it's more than music I'm experiencing. It's hard to describe...it's almost like it's a philosophy for life, made into music. I go somewhere else, mentally - only a few bands have taken me to that almost purely meditative state through different means. Swans, Sunn O))), Spiritualized, Lightning Bolt. I've introduced friends to this band via this song, and they always have some kind of emotional reaction to it, very often tearing up.

@areakastudios6704

26w↑1

London england?

@diegosebastian2226

25w

@@areakastudios6704 Yeah

@Dubs-sl4sd

2y↑12

I wish to find a woman with the same music taste like me. That would be very wonderful!

@diegomo1413

34w↑2

This song is like an actual nights sleep. The last 5 minutes are the sweetest, warmest, most awesome moments of your existence…but then you finally gotta wrench yourself out of bed

@user-vn6rl4ep2z

4y↑19

Some day ill come back to this video on youtube,read and like my own comment , start playing the song, lay in my bed and spend the last minutes of my life listening to this before going to eternal sleep.

@emptyfield5185

4y↑1

beautiful

@jeffjohnson419

Like your own comment? Eww

@conraddean6510

5y↑12

I listened to this in a house that overlooked the entirety of Sheffield and cried. This song shows that even a place as large and great as sheffield, in time, will shrink down to almost nothing. Fucking ace band

@re528

2y↑23

This song, I was once playing it loud in my house and it lured a pothead neighbor from about three houses down to ask me "who is that playing?" Said he really liked it. Gave him Godspeed You Black Emperor and had to repeat it to him twice. But he really wanted to know. This song lures people in.

@orpheus131313

3y↑16

I like the fact how this song appeared in my suggestions out of the blue in a period when i actually needed that. I also like the fact that this song talks about youth and at the same time is 23 minutes long. I don't know if it's a coincidence but 23 is when I feel my youth kinda ended. So many good memories up until then. But I'm still gonna make some good new ones :')

@CampfireHedphaz

13y↑18

I never get tired of hearing GY!BE material, always sounds new and fresh.

@smashingairguitars

5y↑12

"they don't sleep anymore on the beach" Gets me everytime.

@solerrics

10y↑23

i dont know why, and i cant explain it either but this song is so beautiful its just so amazing its one of the more emotive songs ive ever heard in my life and the fact that this is an instrumental makes me like it more, thank you godspeed you . . .

@mexicunt730

9y↑23

Whenever I feel like shit I just listen to this and feel good again.

@scd9815

8y↑21

The best song of all the times.

@jeffjohnson419

3y↑2

Corey Feldman - We Wanted Change says otherwise

@alexmeechan15

4y↑12

I don’t even deserve to listen to this

@corezone4250

4y↑2

Why? I think everyone deserves to get to listen to amazing stuff like this!

@user-wb5ov7js6p

4y↑1

guess the band think everyone deserve

@leandroantunes2044

8y↑78

the entire song is amazing... the best GY!BE song so far...

@HendersonHinchfinch

6y↑12

☝️ hasn’t heard Moya ☝️

@tunga3363

best song that has been revealed so far...

@orbitalbutt6757

5y↑2

@@HendersonHinchfinch Or the last ten minutes of Motherfucker = Redeemer

@youtubeisevil

I agree.

@yusa4467

37w

@@orbitalbutt6757 and the ten minutes before the ten last minute of that track

@21Cayque12

6y↑12

The last ten minutes of this song are pretty much unmatched

@Mr5kull5trobe

9y↑9

This music to me is perfect. Loved this album for near 15 years...still will.

@mediuschung

9y↑21

one of the best music ever made

@gavinolivas7826

5y↑18

16:50 is just so much emotion

@Userrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.r

1y↑1

When those trumpets hit🥴

@seabass631

12y↑9

I love the hell out of this song, but the more I listen to it, the more creeped out I get from the man talking at the beginning. There's like a hint of emptyness in his voice that give me goosebumps. Anyone else agree?

@nowhereman748

4y↑4

I don't hear emptiness. Only sadness and a sense of longing for what's long passed.

@adamclark52

9y↑55

I like the darker colours in the picture for this video better than the actual album cover.

@spiritnarrative6317

7y↑9

adamclark52 and i like the one with a cat in it better

@konytookme1670

9y↑75

I'm back here again and listening to this song after my US History Midterm Exam. The only reason I got the question about Coney Island correct is because of this song. You introduced me to post rock, made one of my favorite albums of all time, and even help me with school. What can you guys not do? :)

@Metalwrath2

What was the question? :)

@konytookme1670

7y↑15

UmbwembweTumwemumbweKuemuvenveOssasVEVO Hmmmm, for some reason, Theodore Roosevelt comes to mind, but perhaps that was just a different question on the test. I'm a university student now and I made that comment back when I was a junior in high school, so I don't quite remember the question now. :|

@zodismegalame

@@konytookme1670 did you ever manage to remember the question?

@uzerqureshi451

2y↑3

@@zodismegalame I'd doubt

@bauti8042

hey man do you still at university?

4 More Replies...

@agraciotti

10y↑109

18:20 = heaven

@jebstock

10y↑1

agreed

@jebstock

10y↑18

i once looked myself in the basement with an ounce of speed with this track on repeat for 2 days painting complete bollocks on the walls.... it helped me

@manusouful

10y↑1

jebstock thank you

@RecklezKee

10y↑3

jebstock I smoke and listen to this shit you sound like a total fking addict

@QuadiePoo

8y↑43

This song always makes me think of the movie Requiem for a Dream for some reason. Both this album and the movie are masterpieces.

@kaitiglazier

8y↑23

Because of Coney Island, probably

@basedcostanza5145

7y↑9

Quade Carter idk how this song could remind you of that movie. this song isn't garbage

@aepheeckunthe

1y↑6

@Orunk777

3y↑7

this drummer is just level 100 epicness

@mattjamieson4957

2y↑2

there are two of em, that's probably part of it. Bands with two drummers for the win

@sovietbby8401

6y↑41

This band is def in my top artists of all time. So far I’ve got:
.
Radiohead
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Sigur Ros
Björk

@venusaura7527

4y↑3

Listen to My bloody Valentine

@waschkarte3989

2y↑1

Mogwai! :) "Take Me Somewhere Nice" to start, then the whole "Happy Songs for Happy People"-album. Or Opeths Damnation.

Either way, Radiohead, Sigur Rós and GY!BE are perfect picks. Never got into Bjork.

@retep7232

@@waschkarte3989 mogwai is awesome!

@zavulon422

Seven miles jorney

@gabrielmaffei7623

those and pretend are my favourite artists , you should give em a chance

@brianarden3584

3y↑7

the greatest song of all time

@serialexperimentspain

10w↑1

Maybe I've just been smoking too much weed lately, but I really love this section that starts around 10:19. The way the drummer is playing for his life, the energy is palpable, he's putting everything he's fucking got into it; contrasted with this powerful, droning wall of noise, it feels like really strong wind gusting in your face. As if to say this is humanity pushing back against the current of time, the inevitability of death. It's so hauntingly beautiful, there's such a nobility in the human experience. To know we're all born to die and to carry on despite it all. To know that much of what we do in this lifetime, what we do as part of this project, is to be enjoyed not by us, or even our children's children, but by future generations that will come long after your name, face, and very existence will be forgotten to time. It's such a powerful thought. I tear up a little sometimes when I listen to this song.

@applepornography

3y↑19

The sentiment that I pick up from the monologue in the beginning is that western countries (more specifically America, in my personal experience) have simply become too socially hostile for you to be as publicly vulnerable as people could afford to be in the past.

@fluidthought42

3y↑5

It's not helped by hostile urban design. The suburban experiment and accompanying social propaganda atomized everyone and led them to reject any sort of communal solidarity. Not only that, it made walking (the most natural form of human transportation) unenjoyable and more of a hassle than traveling by car. Car based neighborhoods discorage the type of walking based experiences and business that places like Coney Island depended on.

@applepornography

1y↑3

@@fluidthought42 And, worst of all, gun violence. The angry, the distraught, the outraged, the deluded and misled, all can possess weapons with the power of killing someone ten times over. And then they're pointed toward targets to use those weaponized emotions on.

After all that all I can say is that I hope that, one day, we can all sleep on the beach overnight once again.

@BlizzyFoxTF

3y↑10

Fantastic climax. Best track on the album and one of the most beatuiful songs in post rock and of all time..

@chrisynl

11y↑4

This always seems to get under my skin, always. I can be away from it for months and then come back to it again.... this is just one of the most amazing track I ever heard! truly amazing

@spikedmace

4y↑6

It means a lot when music reflects your actual mood.

@liadcohen8327

5y↑4

I've listened to this so many times in the past week that it just plays in my head now even when I'm not listening to it.

@MarineHovhann

6y↑9

@gaagkk

13w↑1

this is seriously the best music has ever sounded

@Lorenzho

11y↑5

2 weeks listening this song every night, I can't stop!

@talib28

11y↑3

it makes you all sad and want to cry, then it erases everything from your mind so that in the end put something amazing and full of hope. it just plays with your mind, it's amazing!

@ZMemme

1y↑1

11:22 is such a tease. Left me gasping when I heard that drum note, and it just descends from there like "no you're not there yet"

@lucifersam99

11y↑5

the first time i heard this song it made me cry my fucking eyes out. but that's just a testament to the musical weight these guys throw around. you know your music is majestic when it can move grown adults to tears.