In 1983, she travelled to Toronto to seek a musical career. In 1986, she founded a trio with bassist David Piltch and pianist Aaron Davis. Offered a record deal in 1989, the Holly Cole Trio released an EP, Christmas Blues, that year, which featured a version of The Pretenders' "2,000 Miles". This was followed by their first full album, Girl Talk, in 1990.
A succession of releases followed through the early 1990s. For example, 1991's Blame It On My Youth, covered songs by Tom Waits ("Purple Avenue", aka "Empty Pockets"), Lyle Lovett ("God Will"), includes show tunes such as "If I Were a Bell" (from Guys and Dolls) and "On the Street Where You Live" (from My Fair Lady), and even remakes "Trust In Me", from Disney's The Jungle Book, into a strikingly sultry and sinister song of seduction and death. Also recorded in this period was "Alison", a reinterpretation of Elvis Costello's original.
Following 1993's Don't Smoke in Bed, the trio released a CD entirely of songs by Tom Waits, called Temptation. With this 1995 release, the "Trio" was dropped from the group's name.
Cole next went into a two-album flirtation with pop music, perhaps keeping with the "diva" fad of the late 90s. These albums, Dark Dear Heart (1997) and Romantically Helpless (2000) veered further from jazz by introducing pop elements to Cole's sound.
In 2001, she returned to the Christmas jazz roots of her first CD with Baby It's Cold Outside, which included such should-be classics as "Christmas Time is Here" (from A Charlie Brown Christmas), "Santa Baby", and the title track. Swapping cold for hot, she moved to a Summer theme in 2003's Shade, this time reinterpreting Cole Porter ("Too Darn Hot"), Irving Berlin ("Heatwave"), and The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson ("God Only Knows").
Cole's latest album, Holly Cole (originally entitled This House Is Haunted) was released in Canada in March 2007. It was released in the US in January 2008 and was followed by a US tour.
Cole tours frequently, particularly around the holiday season, in Canada. She was also a part of the 1999 Lilith Fair tour.
I'm Only Sleeping
Holly Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lift my head, I'm still yawning
When I'm in the middle of a dream
Stay in bed, float up stream (Float up stream)
Please, don't wake me, no, don't shake me
Leave me where I am, I'm only sleeping
I don't mind, I think they're crazy
Running everywhere at such a speed
Till they find there's no need (There's no need)
Please, don't spoil my day, I'm miles away
And after all I'm only sleeping
Keeping an eye on the world going by my window
Taking my time
Lying there and staring at the ceiling
Waiting for a sleepy feeling
Please, don't spoil my day, I'm miles away
And after all I'm only sleeping
Ooh yeah
Keeping an eye on the world going by my window
Taking my time
When I wake up early in the morning
Lift my head, I'm still yawning
When I'm in the middle of a dream
Stay in bed, float up stream (Float up stream)
Please, don't wake me, no, don't shake me
Leave me where I am, I'm only sleeping
The song “I’m Only Sleeping” by Holly Cole is a cover of The Beatles’ original song of the same name. The lyrics describe the desire to stay in bed and sleep instead of facing the demands of the outside world. The singer emphasizes the importance of laziness in the face of the pressure to always be doing something. The line “Please, don’t wake me, no, don’t shake me, leave me where I am, I’m only sleeping” serves as a plea to be left alone and allowed to rest. The singer appreciates the ability to simply watch the world go by from the comfort of bed.
The song expresses the desire to separate oneself from the chaos of the world and the pressure to always be in motion. The singer is aware that others might judge them for being lazy, but they do not care – they are content to take things slowly and at their own pace. The lyrics also suggest the importance of dreams and the role they play in our lives. The line “When I’m in the middle of a dream, stay in bed, float upstream” highlights the peacefulness of the dream world and the desire to linger there longer.
Overall, “I’m Only Sleeping” is a song about the importance of rest, self-care, and taking a break from the constant demands of the outside world.
Line by Line Meaning
When I wake up early in the morning
As soon as I am awakened from my sleep in the morning
Lift my head, I'm still yawning
I stretch my neck and let out a yawn indicating my need for more sleep
When I'm in the middle of a dream
When I'm caught up in the middle of a dream world
Stay in bed, float up stream (Float up stream)
I prefer to stay in bed and continue my dream state rather than waking up to reality
Please, don't wake me, no, don't shake me
I request not to be disturbed and allowed to sleep peacefully
Leave me where I am, I'm only sleeping
I'm not willing to get up and I insist on staying in bed as I'm still asleep
Everybody seems to think I'm lazy
People misunderstand my love for sleep and think I'm a lazy person
I don't mind, I think they're crazy
I'm not bothered by their opinion and think they are mistaken to judge me that way
Running everywhere at such a speed
People's fast-paced lifestyle and their endless running around surprises me
Till they find there's no need (There's no need)
People realize the pointlessness of their constant activity only later
Please, don't spoil my day, I'm miles away
I request not to be disturbed and reminded of the outside world, as I'm detached from it
And after all I'm only sleeping
I reiterate my reason for my inactivity and point out that it's just my love for sleep
Keeping an eye on the world going by my window
I watch the world outside through my window without any intention to be a part of it
Taking my time
I prefer a leisurely and slow-paced life rather than rushing through it like others do
Lying there and staring at the ceiling
I lie down in my bed, gazing at the ceiling without any hurry to get up
Waiting for a sleepy feeling
I eagerly wait for the feeling of drowsiness to return
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul Mccartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Naas
what a voice - creamy - dreamy - O my - Beautiful Talent. Thanks HC
Juan Garduno
Me dormí con esta versión
Cajun Queen
luv luv it