Parsons was born in Winter Haven, Florida and developed an interest in country music while attending Harvard University. He founded the International Submarine Band in 1966 and, after several months of delay, their debut album Safe at Home was released in 1968 (by which time the group had disbanded). Parsons joined The Byrds in early 1968 and played a pivotal role in the making of the seminal Sweetheart of the Rodeo album. After leaving the group in late 1968, Parsons and fellow Byrd Chris Hillman formed The Flying Burrito Brothers in 1969, releasing their debut, The Gilded Palace of Sin, the same year. The album was well received but failed commercially. After a sloppy cross-country tour, they hastily recorded Burrito Deluxe. Parsons was fired from the band before its release in early 1970. He soon signed with A&M Records but after several unproductive sessions he canceled his intended solo debut in early 1971. Parsons moved to France, where he lived for a short period at Villa Nellcôte with his friend Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones. Returning to America, Parsons met Emmylou Harris through his friend and former bandmate Chris Hillman. She assisted him on vocals for his first solo record, GP, released in 1973. Although it received enthusiastic reviews, the release failed to chart. His next album, Grievous Angel, met with a similar reception and peaked at number 195 on the Billboard chart. His health deteriorated due to several years of drug abuse and he died in 1973 at the age of 26.
Since his death, Parsons has been credited with helping to found both country rock and alt-country. He did not consider his work "country rock" because he felt it should not be categorized in a single genre since it was a unique blend of many genres and styles of music with his own personal twang.
In 1968, the Byrds appeared on the Grand Ole Opry and were met with a hostile crowd. They then appeared on Ralph Emery's WSM radio show and were shocked to find he had none of their records. Parsons and Roger McGuinn wrote the song Drug Store Truck Drivin Man in response.
His posthumous honors include the Americana Music Association "President's Award" for 2003 and a ranking at No. 87 on Rolling Stone's list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time."
Sleepless Nights
Gram Parsons & The Fallen Angels Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And wonder who is kissing you
Oh these sleepless nights will break my heart again
Somehow through the day I don't give in
I hide the tears that wait until
Oh these sleepless nights will break my heart again
Don't you know don't you know I need you
The song begins with Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris sharing their pain and heartbreak with the listeners. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and helplessness, as they express their inability to sleep due to the pain caused by the departure of their loved one. They reveal that they spend their sleepless nights crying and wondering who might be holding their loved one now. However, they also acknowledge that they manage to put on a brave face during the day but the tears wait until nightfall. They know that the sleepless nights will only bring them heartache again.
In the chorus, they plead for their loved one to come back, expressing their need and desire for them. They question the reason why their loved one left and urge them to realize how important they are to them. The song is a poignant tale of a love lost, leaving one to deal with the aftermath of the heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
Through the sleepless nights I cry for you
During the sleepless nights, I cannot stop thinking of you and I am crying due to the painful longing I have for you.
And wonder who is kissing you
Amidst my sorrow, I cannot help but imagine and ache at the thought of someone else holding you and being with you, instead of me.
Oh these sleepless nights will break my heart again
The agonizing, sleepless nights spent thinking of you will only exacerbate the pain in my heart and cause it to shatter further.
Somehow through the day I don't give in
During the day, I try to put up a strong facade despite being utterly broken inside and not give in to my emotions.
I hide the tears that wait until
Behind closed doors, I let my true emotions come out and cry the tears that have been waiting to fall all day.
Oh these sleepless nights will break my heart again
Again, I am reminded of how the sleepless nights will only magnify the anguish inside of me and cause my heart to break even further.
Why did you go why did you go
I cannot help but ask myself repeatedly why you had to leave and abandon me when I needed you the most.
Don't you know don't you know I need you
Do you not understand the profound desire and longing I have for you to be with me again and fulfill the need I have for your presence in my life?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOUDLEAUX BRYANT, FELICE BRYANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind