While You Were Sleeping
Man Overboard Lyrics


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It's a shame the lights don't shine on you back in Jersey
'Cuz Broad Street and Walnut are looking real bright
And to think, that maybe I had been a better a companion
You wouldn't need this rescue once a night

I can hear you breath
I can smell your sheets from New Jersey
And I got a mind
To get out of bed right now
And come over to see you

I can't imagine you all alone
In the big city on your own
Who's going to protect you?
I couldn't be there as much as I wanted to

But you don't need me
I just need you
I hope you want me to come over right now
'Cuz I'm going to





I hope you miss the way it feels when we wake up together
I'm going to...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Man Overboard's "While You Were Sleeping" express the regret and longing of the singer towards a past relationship. The first verse describes the contrast between the bright lights of Philly and the dullness of life back in New Jersey where the singer assumes the love interest to be. The singer then goes on to contemplate on whether he could have been a better partner to the love interest when they were together, implying some sort of break-up or separation. Despite not being physically present, the singer is aware of the love interest's sleeping habits and bed hygiene (the smell of the sheets) and is tempted to visit them in the middle of the night.


The second verse highlights the sense of protection that the singer feels towards the love interest, acknowledging the challenges posed by living alone in the city. The singer expresses a desire to visit the love interest more often than they were able to, suggesting that the relationship may have suffered from a lack of attunement. However, the singer admits that he needs the love interest more than the love interest needs him, doubting whether the visit would be welcome.


Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of longing for past love and the missed opportunities to be a better companion.


Line by Line Meaning

It's a shame the lights don't shine on you back in Jersey
It's unfortunate that you're not being recognized for your talents and potential in your hometown of Jersey.


'Cuz Broad Street and Walnut are looking real bright
The big city lights of Philadelphia are alluring and exciting to those who have dreams and ambitions.


And to think, that maybe I had been a better a companion
It's possible that the singer reflects on how they could have been a better friend or partner to the listener.


You wouldn't need this rescue once a night
The listener may rely on someone to emotionally rescue them from their thoughts and feelings, which the singer may offer if they were present.


I can hear you breath
The singer can feel the presence of the listener and imagine their breathing.


I can smell your sheets from New Jersey
The singer can picture the listener's bedroom and the familiar scent of their sheets from being around them before.


And I got a mind
The singer currently has a strong desire and intent.


To get out of bed right now
The singer is considering leaving their current state to take action towards seeing the listener.


And come over to see you
The singer wants to physically be with the listener and offer their support.


I can't imagine you all alone
The singer is concerned for the listener's safety and wellbeing.


In the big city on your own
The listener is in a vulnerable state being alone in an unfamiliar place.


Who's going to protect you?
The singer questions who is going to keep the listener safe and offer them comfort.


I couldn't be there as much as I wanted to
The singer regrets not being able to be physically present for the listener as often as they desired.


But you don't need me
The singer acknowledges that the listener may not necessarily require their presence, but they still want to offer it.


I just need you
The singer expresses their own emotional need for the listener.


I hope you want me to come over right now
The singer hopes that the listener is open to the idea of them visiting and offering their support.


'Cuz I'm going to
The singer is determined to see the listener and offer their assistance, regardless of the outcome.


I hope you miss the way it feels when we wake up together
The singer desires to rekindle the special feeling the listener may have experienced waking up next to them in the past.


I'm going to...
The song ends with the singer's intended action being left a mystery, representing the uncertainty of the situation and the singer's determination to take action regardless.




Contributed by Ian J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

xTitoPonce22

This song is perfect! Man overboard could never do wrong!! Defend pop punk for life!

rob

this and In Orbit are my fave man overboard songs i love the lyrics so much <//3

Tomyo

My second favorite song from them, Dude, Are You Kidding is by far my favorite

KingdomHeart556

Still coming back in 2022 masterpiece

Tim Nieto

I hope you miss the way it feels when we wake up together