INSOMNIA
Kevin Hearn Lyrics
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On the trampoline
On and on and on
Life is but a dream
And I'm feeling like the early bird
I never knew that there was such a word
As insomnia
Planes to catch and calls to make
No time for dreaming those dreams of us
Insomnia
Do you want a ride to work?
You look kinda tired today
I said button up your shirt
But you never listen to a word
It's gonna be a long day
Up and down (up and down)
Up and down (up and down)
On the trampoline
On and on (on and on)
On and on (on and on)
Life is but a dream
And I'm driving as fast as I can
Straight into that wall right up ahead
The room is warm
The air is sweet
How I'd love to fall to fall asleep
Oh to be dreaming
If you need to reach me,
I'll be tossing and turning
Insomnia
The lyrics of Kevin Hearn's song Insomnia describe the struggle of an individual with insomnia, a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep. The repetition of "up and down" and "on and on" mimics the common experience of lying in bed, trying to fall asleep but being unable to. The line "life is but a dream" suggests the surreal feeling of being awake all night while others sleep, almost as if life is not quite real. The following lines reveal the frustration of insomnia: "Planes to catch and calls to make, no time for dreaming those dreams of us." The inability to sleep interferes with daily life and leaves little time for reflection or leisure. The offer to give a ride to work, despite being sleep deprived oneself, further emphasizes the struggle and sacrifice that comes with insomnia.
The verses alternate between describing the experience of insomnia and dialogue between the sleep-deprived individual and another person, likely a partner or friend. The other person acknowledges the tiredness of the insomniac, but the latter is too preoccupied with work and unable to rest. The repetition of "on and on" in the chorus underscores the relentless nature of insomnia, with no end in sight. The bridge introduces a new layer to the song, as the insomniac drives "as fast as I can, straight into that wall right up ahead." This line can be interpreted literally, as a symptom of the sleep deprivation making it dangerous to drive, or metaphorically, as a desire to escape the endless cycle of insomnia.
Overall, the lyrics of Insomnia paint a vivid picture of the struggle of those who experience this common sleep disorder. The repetition and cyclical nature of the song reinforce the feeling of being trapped in a never-ending loop.
Line by Line Meaning
Up and down up and down
Describing the motion on the trampoline and the cycle of insomnia
On the trampoline
Setting the scene for playful imagery
On and on and on
Reinforcing the sense of monotony and repetition
Life is but a dream
Expressing the idea that life is fleeting and ephemeral
And I'm feeling like the early bird
Suggesting that the artist is awake before everyone else due to insomnia
I never knew that there was such a word
Implying that the artist was not aware insomnia was the correct term for their sleeplessness
As insomnia
Naming the phenomenon being described
You never sleep
Indicating the severity of the insomnia
Planes to catch and calls to make
Listing potential reasons for staying awake
No time for dreaming those dreams of us
Suggesting the artist is not able to indulge in pleasant thoughts due to the need to stay awake
Insomnia
Reiterating the theme and title of the song
Do you want a ride to work?
Questioning whether the listener is also suffering from insomnia
You look kinda tired today
Addressing the appearance of the listener
I said button up your shirt
Offering some advice or critique
But you never listen to a word
Indicating the futility of offering guidance or support
It's gonna be a long day
Suggesting that the day ahead will be difficult due to the lack of sleep
The room is warm
Describing the environment before an attempt to sleep
The air is sweet
Continuing the description of the environment before an attempt to sleep, using contrast to build the narrative
How I'd love to fall to fall asleep
Expressing the desire to sleep
Oh to be dreaming
A wistful sentiment, wishing for the escape of sleep
If you need to reach me,
A statement anticipating being unavailable
I'll be tossing and turning
Describing the difficulty of attempting to sleep with insomnia
Insomnia
Closing the song with the theme and title
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MATTHEW KELLY SHARP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind