Don't Smoke in Bed
Nina Simone Lyrics


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I left a note on his dresser
And my old wedding ring
With these few goodbye words
How can I sing?
Goodbye old sleepy head
I'm packing you in like I said

Take care of everything
I'm leaving my wedding ring
Don't look for me
I'll get a hand
Remember, darling
Don't smoke in bed

Don't look for me
I'll get a hand




Remember, darling
Don't smoke in bed

Overall Meaning

Nina Simone's "Don't Smoke in Bed" is a hauntingly beautiful song about the aftermath of a failed relationship. The lyrics are powerful and conveys a sense of sadness and regret. The song opens with the singer leaving a note on her former partner's dresser and her old wedding ring. She then says that she can no longer sing while saying goodbye to her old sleepy head. The lyrics suggest that the relationship has ended, and the singer is packing up her belongings to leave. The words "take care of everything, I'm leaving my wedding ring" suggest that the singer is leaving everything behind and starting anew. The song is powerful in its simplicity, and Simone's emotive voice brings the lyrics to life.


The phrase "don't smoke in bed" is a warning to her former partner not to make the same mistakes they did in their relationship. It's a reference to the fact that the couple may have had problems that were exacerbated by their smoking in bed. The lyrics suggest a sense of self-preservation on the part of the singer, as if she is doing everything she can to protect herself from getting hurt again.


Overall, "Don't Smoke in Bed" is a beautiful and deeply emotional song that showcases Nina Simone's talent as a singer and songwriter.


Line by Line Meaning

I left a note on his dresser
I wrote him a farewell note and left it on his dresser


And my old wedding ring
I left behind my wedding ring as a symbol of our failed marriage


With these few goodbye words
I didn't have much to say, just a simple farewell


How can I sing?
I'm feeling so sad and heartbroken that I can't even bring myself to sing


Goodbye old sleepy head
Addressing my partner as 'old sleepy head' one last time before leaving


I'm packing you in like I said
I'm packing up my things and leaving, just as I promised


Take care of everything
I'm entrusting my former partner to take care of everything in my absence


I'm leaving my wedding ring
I'm leaving behind the symbol of our failed marriage for good


Don't look for me
I don't want my former partner to try and find me or bring me back


I'll get a hand
I'll be okay on my own and find someone else to support me


Remember, darling
One last reminder to my former partner, whom I still care for


Don't smoke in bed
A warning to my former partner, who has a bad habit of smoking in bed and risking their own safety




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Willard Robinson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Gabriel Margarucci

Nina Simone - Dont smoke in bed

I left a note on his dresser
And my old wedding ring
With these few goodbye words
How can I sing
Goodbye old sleepy head
I'm packing you in like I said

Take care of everything
I'm leaving my wedding ring
Don't look for me
I'll get ahead
Remember darling
Don't smoke in bed

Don't look for me
I'll get ahead
Remember darling
Don't smoke in bed
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
No fumes en la cama

Te dejo una nota en el vestidor
Y mi viejo anillo de bodas
Con estas pocas palabras de despedida
Como puedo cantar?
Adiós...cabecita soñadora
Estoy empacando como ya te dije.

Cuida de todo
Estoy dejando mi anillo de bodas
No me busques
Me ire
Recuerda querido
No fumes en la cama.

No me busques
Me ire
Recuerda querido
No fumes en la cama.



eddieawesomeness

I left a note on his dresser
And my old wedding ring
With these few goodbye words
How can I sing
Goodbye old sleepy head
I'm tucking you in like I said

Take care of everything
I'm leaving my wedding ring
Don't look for me
I'll get a hand
Remember darling
Don't smoke in bed

Don't look for me
I'll get ahead
Remember darling
Don't smoke in bed



All comments from YouTube:

Francisco Partida

No one else sings like her. No one ever will! 😭

NeverStoppedSinging

The love in her voice... I almost can't take it. Amazing!

Joe Riverman

Her playing is as exquisite as her voice.

A Marteville

Voix unique à jamais, et dans sa transmission de sa force émotionnelle exceptionnelle.


Love for ever, Nina.

Purdy Music

My heart is with her all the way throughout every word...

Nina Ru ́enna

Maravilhosa de mais 💗

John Benn

WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
From a mad keen 76yo Aussie fan.
GOD--She totally owns every tune,she sings & plays.
And that haunting voice sure stirs up your juices.....

Gabriel Margarucci

Nina Simone - Dont smoke in bed

I left a note on his dresser
And my old wedding ring
With these few goodbye words
How can I sing
Goodbye old sleepy head
I'm packing you in like I said

Take care of everything
I'm leaving my wedding ring
Don't look for me
I'll get ahead
Remember darling
Don't smoke in bed

Don't look for me
I'll get ahead
Remember darling
Don't smoke in bed
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
No fumes en la cama

Te dejo una nota en el vestidor
Y mi viejo anillo de bodas
Con estas pocas palabras de despedida
Como puedo cantar?
Adiós...cabecita soñadora
Estoy empacando como ya te dije.

Cuida de todo
Estoy dejando mi anillo de bodas
No me busques
Me ire
Recuerda querido
No fumes en la cama.

No me busques
Me ire
Recuerda querido
No fumes en la cama.

Sonia Sutcliffe

This suddenly popped into my head. I can't have heard it for decades. Why now?

Marcos Paulo Hutchison

Did you light a cigarette while laying on your bed?

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