Written by Bob Stanley & Pete Wiggs
Produced by Saint Etienne

Re… Read Full Bio ↴Written by Bob Stanley & Pete Wiggs
Produced by Saint Etienne

Released September 1991 on Foxbase Alpha.

Notes Bassline is taken from dub reggae song Melodica International (extended mix) by Glen Brown & King Tubby. The spelling of 'can't' is a reference to Happy Mondays debut 1987 album Squirrel and G-Man Twenty Four Hour Party People Plastic Face Carnt Smile (White Out) however the title itself was stolen from I Can't Sleep by The La's.

"We'd been listening to stuff Jon Savage had recommended, like Keith Hudson's Pick a Dub, King Tubby etc. I'd never think of attempting something like this now. I just wouldn't think we could pull it off." (Bob Stanley, 2009).

"...Carnt Sleep came out of the bassline - the spelling on that is a Happy Mondays tribute." (Pete Wiggs, 2009).

Carnt Sleep
Saint Etienne Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You know the hurt's so deep
That I can't sleep or eat
And what I'm hoping for
Is to feel your kisses sweet

If we could just talk
Things might be a little more clear
I really need the chance

To explain the way I feel

I can't sleep
(Can't sleep)
Thinking of you constantly

I can't sleep
(Can't sleep)
Wishing you were here with me

I can't sleep
(Can't sleep)
Where are you please?

When I get home from work
Sit down and watch TV
The night falls
Just like a bad dream

I can't sleep
(Can't sleep)
Thinking of you constantly

I can't sleep
(Can't sleep)
Wishing you were here with me

I can't sleep
(Can't sleep)
Where are you please?

I can't sleep
(Can't sleep)
Thinking of you constantly

I can't sleep
(Can't sleep)
Wishing you were here with me

I can't sleep

(Can't sleep)
Where are you please?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Saint Etienne's song "Can't Sleep" describe the feeling of being unable to move on from a lost love. The singer is deeply hurt and can't even find comfort in sleeping or eating. What they want more than anything is to feel their partner's "sweet kisses" again, and they hope that by talking things through they might be able to make sense of their feelings.

The line "the night falls just like a bad dream" emphasizes how painful it is for the singer to be alone at night, unable to sleep and trapped in their own thoughts. Despite trying to distract themselves with television, they are still constantly thinking about their lost love.

Ultimately, the lyrics are about the longing for connection and the hope that communication might lead to reconciliation. It's a reminder of how difficult it can be to adjust to changes in relationships and how important it is to have honest conversations.

Line by Line Meaning

You know the hurt's so deep
The pain I feel is intense

That I can't sleep or eat
It's affecting my ability to rest or eat

And what I'm hoping for
My wish is

Is to feel your kisses sweet
To receive tender affection from you

If we could just talk
If we had the chance to communicate

Things might be a little more clear
There's a chance we could understand each other better

I really need the chance
It's vital for me to have the opportunity

To explain the way I feel
To express how I truly feel

When I get home from work
After finishing my job during the day

Sit down and watch TV
I try to relax by watching television

The night falls
The evening sets in