Before recording under the name Phosphorescent, Houck traveled the world playing under the moniker Fillup Shack and, in 2000, self-released a limited pressing of the album "Hipolit". In 2001 Houck changed his recording name to Phosphorescent, and, in 2003, released the full-length album "A Hundred Times or More". Interestingly, in the liner notes of the album, Fillup Shack is credited with the drum recordings. The following year, he released the EP "The Weight of Flight".
Phosphorescent rose to wider critical acclaim after releasing "Aw Come Aw Wry" in August 2005 and "Pride" in October 2007. The latter was named the 12th best album of 2007 by Stylus Magazine and received a 8.0 rating from indie website Pitchfork Media. In 2009, inspired by Willie Nelson's tribute album to Lefty Frizzell entitled "To Lefty From Willie", Houck crafted a tribute album to Nelson himself entitled "To Willie" which was released through Dead Oceans. Phosphorescent released "Here's to Taking It Easy" in 2010 and "Muchacho" in 2013.
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Can I Sleep in Your Arms
Phosphorescent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's so cold lyin' here all alone
And I have no hold to hold on you
And, I assure you, I'll do you no wrong
I don't know why, but the one I love left me
Left me cold and alone and so weak
And I need someone's arms to hold me
Can I sleep in your arms tonight, lady?
It's so cold lyin' here all alone
And I have no hold to hold on you
And, I assure you, I'll do you no wrong
Can I sleep in your arms tonight, lady?
It's so cold lyin' here all alone
And I have no hold to hold on you
And, I assure you, I'll do you no wrong
The song Can I Sleep in Your Arms by Phosphorescent is a beautiful and poignant expression of vulnerability and longing. The singer is reaching out to a woman, asking her if he can sleep in her arms because he is cold, alone, and helpless. He explains how the person he loved left him, leaving him feeling weak and vulnerable, and he needs someone to hold him until he is strong enough to stand on his own again.
The lyrics in this song are emotional and powerful, conveying a deep sense of melancholy and despair. The repetition of "Can I sleep in your arms tonight, lady?" emphasizes the singer's desperation and dependence on this woman, while the line "And I assure you, I'll do you no wrong" shows his sincerity and the purity of his intentions. The use of imagery like "It's so cold lyin' here all alone" and "I have no hold to hold on you" evokes a sense of isolation and the need for human connection.
This song captures the essence of human longing and the need for comfort and affection. It's a beautiful expression of vulnerability and the courage it takes to reach out for help. The simplicity of the lyrics adds to the beauty of the song, making it an emotional and heartfelt ballad that resonates with listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Can I sleep in your arms tonight, lady?
May I seek solace in your embrace tonight, dear?
It's so cold lyin' here all alone
It's awfully chilly lying here unaccompanied.
And I have no hold to hold on you
I lack any claim to grab onto you.
And, I assure you, I'll do you no wrong
And rest assured, I won't inflict any harm upon you.
I don't know why, but the one I love left me
I'm clueless why my beloved abandoned me.
Left me cold and alone and so weak
Left me devoid of warmth, companionship, and in a dismal state of fragility.
And I need someone's arms to hold me
And someone's loving arms are essential to embrace me.
Till I'm strong enough to get back on my feet
Until I gain enough strength to stand on my own two feet again.
Contributed by Brayden Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Giorgio Fabietti
Can I sleep in your arms tonight, lady
It's so cold lying here all alone
And I have no hold to hold on you
And I assure you I'll do you no wrong
Don't know why but the one I love left me
Left me lonely and cold and so weak
And I need someone's arms to hold me
Till I'm strong enough to get back on my feet
Can I sleep in your arms tonight, lady
It's so cold lying here all alone
And I have no hold to hold on you
And I assure you I'll do you no wrong
Can I sleep in your arms tonight lady
It's so cold lying here all alone
And I have no hold to hold on you
And I assure you I'll do you no wrong
Leandro Cannataro
Can I sleep in your arms tonight, lady?
It's so cold, lyin' here all alone
And I have no hold to hold on you
And I assure you, I'll do you no wrong
Don't know why but the one I love left me
Left me cold and alone and so weak
And I need someone's arms to hold me
Till I'm strong enough to get back on my feet
Can I sleep in your arms tonight, lady?
It's so cold, lyin' here all alone
And I have no hold to hold on you
And I assure you, I'll do you no wrong
Can I sleep in your arms, tonight, lady?
It's so cold, lyin' here all alone
And I have no hold to hold on you
And I assure you, I'll do you no wrong
Steve Willow
I think this song is just titled "I'm commin, you're runnin".
Yeah, my heart stood blank
Yes, his name was Hank
And when he walked me home
Da cock ran-ran-ran, da cock ran-ran
I thought it was written by Shaun Cassidy, Phil Spector, and Burt Reynolds.
Alpine Joe
What a wonderful age we live in where pure chance can bring you to music as beautiful as this ..... and FREE ! That said I'm now going to spend money on a Phosphorescent album and will definitely go see him live at the first opportunity so it's win win.
Alpine Joe
@Ratul Hazra I don't even remember writing this comment but yes, I did see him ... it was a few years ago now but it was a great gig as I recall and I'd go and see him again if/when he comes back.
Ratul Hazra
Did you?
Marina K
Z1000Jeff Did you get the opportunity to see him yet? He had me with Song for Zulu!
chickaski
The best version I have ever heard of this song. I loved Willie's but this one I hate to admit even toped him !!! Tears in my eyes but love it Thank you... Well done my friend...
musicmonster2008
this is literally the most beautiful music my soul has ever heard
Reggiebadass
awesome. Great job. One of the best covers I've heard in my entire life. You owned it!
Bethany Dickson
this version of willie nelson's masterpiece brought me to tears, umph
Henrique Custódia
That live version needs to go on Spotify! :(
Giorgio Fabietti
Can I sleep in your arms tonight, lady
It's so cold lying here all alone
And I have no hold to hold on you
And I assure you I'll do you no wrong
Don't know why but the one I love left me
Left me lonely and cold and so weak
And I need someone's arms to hold me
Till I'm strong enough to get back on my feet
Can I sleep in your arms tonight, lady
It's so cold lying here all alone
And I have no hold to hold on you
And I assure you I'll do you no wrong
Can I sleep in your arms tonight lady
It's so cold lying here all alone
And I have no hold to hold on you
And I assure you I'll do you no wrong