Several of their later albums were released under the name The Plastic Ono Band, and often featured other musicians such as Eric Clapton, Klaus Voorman, and Alan White. The Plastic Ono Band's first album, Live Peace in Toronto 1969, was recorded during the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival Festival. The first half of their performance consisted of rock standards, and during the second half, Ono took the microphone and along with the band performed what may be one of the first expressions of the avant garde during a rock concert. The set ended with music that consisted mainly of feedback, while Ono screamed and sang.
Their fifth album together, Some Time in New York City, released in 1972, is fiercely motivated by political issues the couple found themselves confronted with upon moving to New York City in September, 1971. The album was highly controversial but is generally seen as the beginning of Ono's emergence as a songwriter with "Sisters O Sisters", "Born In A Prison", and "We're All Water"
With the birth of their son Sean in 1975, Lennon put his career on hold to raise the boy and rekindle his relationship with his older son Julian. In the summer of 1980, both Lennon and Ono felt ready to resume to work and began composing. They made the decision to release their impending songs together on the same album. Subtitled "A Heart Play", Double Fantasy would be a collection of songs whereby John and Yoko would be singing to each other.
Released in 1984, Milk and Honey is notable for being Lennon's first posthumous release of music, having been recorded in the last months of his life during and following the sessions for Double Fantasy. Though Lennon's death caused a temporary shelving of the project, Ono was later capable of returning to complete it.
Sleepless Night
John Lennon & Yoko Ono Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The moon is bright
All I'm asking for is
Three minute love
Legs
What am I going to do with my legs
They're so hot
And they're screaming!
Sleepless night
The moon is bright
All I'm asking for is
Three minute love
Head
What am I going to do with my head
It's so light
It just gives me the fright
It's full of champagne and dreams
Sleepless night
All um umm
All I'm asking for is
Three minute love
This brush must sell like crazy
I mean there's a lot of lonely people out there
I want to go to the ball
I want to give it all
I'll take it all
Sleepless night
All I'm asking for is
What am I asking for?
In "Sleepless Night," John Lennon and Yoko Ono explore the theme of sex and desire. The song expresses the desperation and longing for intimacy that can be felt during a sleepless night. The repeated line "All I'm asking for is three minute love" speaks to the idea that sometimes all we need is a brief moment of physical connection to satisfy our cravings. The moon being bright creates a sense of a lonely night where the singer is left to their own thoughts and desires.
The use of the body as a metaphor for desire is evident in the lines "legs" and "head." The singer's legs are too hot and restless, suggesting a physical discomfort caused by desire. The head is described as light and full of champagne and dreams, which may represent the dizzying and intoxicating effects of sexual longing. The song also implies that sex can be a solution to the restlessness and anxiety of a sleepless night.
The lyric "This brush must sell like crazy, I mean there's a lot of lonely people out there" highlights the commercial nature of the beauty industry and its promise of fulfilling our desires for love and romance. Despite its brief duration, "Sleepless Night" is a deeply personal and intimate song that reveals the depths of human longing.
Line by Line Meaning
Sleepless night
Unable to sleep, staying up through the night
The moon is bright
The moon is shining brightly in the sky
All I'm asking for is
I only desire or wish for
Three minute love
A brief moment of love or affection
Legs
My legs, referring to the physical part of my body
What am I going to do with my legs
I am unsure about what to do with my legs, what action or movement to take
They're so hot
My legs are feeling very warm, and uncomfortable
They won't stay on the cot
I am unable to keep my legs still, they are moving around restlessly
And they're screaming!
Metaphorically, my legs are loudly expressing discomfort or agitation
Head
My head, referring to the physical part of my body
What am I going to do with my head
I am unsure about what to do with my head, what thought or decision to make
It's so light
My head feels unusually light or dizzy
It just gives me the fright
My head is causing me fear, anxiety or unease
It's full of champagne and dreams
My head is full of excitement, imagination and carefree thoughts, like being drunk on champagne
All um umm
An expression of confusion or uncertainty
This brush must sell like crazy
This particular item must be selling very well, possibly because many people feel lonely
I mean there's a lot of lonely people out there
There are many people who feel isolated and alone, and they may buy certain products to fill the void
I want to go to the ball
I want to attend a fancy event, like a ball or party
I want to give it all
I want to put all my energy, enthusiasm, and passion into the experience
I'll take it all
I am willing to accept everything that comes with the experience, good or bad
What am I asking for?
I am questioning what exactly I am hoping to achieve or gain, or what is the true nature of my desire
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: YOKO ONO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind