Their first single release was on the Outpunk Records compilation Outpunk Dance Party, to which they contributed the song "I Can't Sleep". They have released many singles and LPs, mainly on the independent record label Lookout! Records and on Alternative Tentacles.
Their discography is as follows:
That's So Gay
Alternative Tentacles 3/09
The Essential Pansy Division
Alternative Tentacles 1/06
Total Entertainment!
Alternative Tentacles 8/03
Absurd Pop Song Romance
Lookout 9/98
More Lovin' From Our Oven
Lookout 8/97
Wish I'd Taken Pictures
Lookout 2/96
Pileup
Lookout 2/95
Deflowered
Lookout 6/94
Undressed
Lookout 3/93
You can read more about them on their official website: www.pansydivision.com/Biography/pd_biography.html
I Can't Sleep
Pansy Division Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And read my Village Voice
But layin' next to this beached whale
I haven't got the choice
He looked good at the time
I must have been out of my mind
Now I can't sleep
I can't sleep!
Of sexual gymnastics
But he thought he was god's gift
Selfish and sarcastic
I wanted to take him home
And I got him so I shouldn't groan
But I can't sleep
I can't sleep!
Minutes pass like hours
My eyes open wide
Staring up at the ceiling
Every paint crack memorized
Think I'll reset my alarm
To go off extra early
Wake him up and get him out
Try to sleep until 8:30
Being up all night's alright
If it's filled with erotic delight
But I can't sleep
I can't sleep!
The lyrics of Pansy Division's song, "I Can't Sleep" depict the aftermath of a regretful sexual encounter. The singer is lying in bed next to someone whom he initially found attractive, but now refers to as a "beached whale," indicating that he no longer feels the same way. The lyrics suggest that the partner was arrogant and selfish in bed instead of providing the "sexual gymnastics" that the singer had hoped for. The use of the phrase "I must have been out of my mind" suggests that the singer made bad decisions while under the influence. He regrets not being able to sleep and is waiting for the morning to come so that he can get his partner out of his bed.
The repetitive nature of the chorus, "I Can't Sleep," adds to the sense of restlessness and dissatisfaction. The singer is haunted by the memories of the previous night, and every minute seems to pass slowly, making it harder for him to fall asleep. The singer is torn between wanting the sexual experience and wanting the partner to leave so that he can get some sleep. The final lines of the song suggest that the singer may have learned a lesson from this experience and is already looking forward to his next sexual encounter but with someone better.
Line by Line Meaning
Wish I could turn on my light
I desire to turn on the light and read my Village Voice.
And read my Village Voice
I want to read my Village Voice newspaper in bed.
But layin' next to this beached whale
Unfortunately, I am lying next to a person who is large and unattractive.
I haven't got the choice
I am unable to choose owing to my situation.
He looked good at the time
Initially, he appeared to be attractive to me.
I must have been out of my mind
However, I was not thinking clearly and made a poor judgement call.
Now I can't sleep
As a result, I am unable to fall asleep.
I can't sleep!
I am reiterating my inability to sleep due to my current circumstances.
Hoping for a wild night
I was anticipating a night of passionate and adventurous sexual intercourse.
Of sexual gymnastics
I was hopeful for a night of acrobatic sexual activity.
But he thought he was god's gift
Unfortunately, my partner had an arrogant sense of self-importance.
Selfish and sarcastic
He was also egotistical and made cutting and unkind remarks.
I wanted to take him home
Despite his drawbacks, I still entertained the notion of bringing him back to my place.
And I got him so I shouldn't groan
Since I was the one who pursued him and ended up with him, I shouldn't complain.
But I can't sleep
Nevertheless, I am still struggling to fall asleep.
I can't sleep!
I am again emphasizing my inability to sleep because of my current circumstances.
Minutes pass like hours
Time seems to move slowly and painfully because I can't sleep.
My eyes open wide
I am wide awake and unable to close my eyes to rest.
Staring up at the ceiling
I am gazing blankly at the ceiling above me.
Every paint crack memorized
I have studied every crack and crevice in the paint on the ceiling because I am so restless.
Think I'll reset my alarm
I am considering setting my alarm to go off earlier than usual.
To go off extra early
I am thinking of setting my alarm to ring earlier than planned.
Wake him up and get him out
My plan is to wake up my partner and ask him to leave earlier than expected.
Try to sleep until 8:30
My aim is to go back to sleep and try to wake up again at 8:30 AM.
Being up all night's alright
While staying up all night is not ideal, it can be tolerable.
If it's filled with erotic delight
However, being up all night is only worthwhile if filled with pleasurable sexual activity.
But I can't sleep
Once again, I am expressing my challenge of falling asleep under my current circumstances.
I can't sleep!
I am still struggling to fall asleep despite my best efforts.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Renton90
I CAN'T SLEEP!
Wish i could turn on my light
And read my Village Voice
But layin' next to this beached whale
I haven't got the choice
He looked good at the time
I must have been out of my mind
Now i can't sleep
I can't sleep!
Hoping for a wild night
Of sexual gymnastics
But he thought he was god's gift
Selfish and sarcastic
I wanted to take him home
And i got him so i shouldn't groan
But i can't sleep
I can't sleep!
Minutes pass like hours
My eyes wide open
Staring up at the ceiling
Every paint crack memorized
Think i'll reset my alarm
To go off extra early
Wake him up and get him out
Try to sleep until 8:30
Being up all night's alright
If it's filled with erotic delight
But i can't sleep
I can't sleep!