Premiering in 1969, this educational television show aimed at preschoolers … Read Full Bio ↴Premiering in 1969, this educational television show aimed at preschoolers has charmed generations of youngsters ever since. The show - featuring a lovable cast of characters including Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, Oscar the Grouch, Elmo, Snuffy, Grover and many others - has delighted and educated children and adults alike, with its collection of songs, skits, and celebrity guest appearances.

I Dance Myself to Sleep
Sesame Street Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sometimes I have trouble falling asleep,
But it's not so bad
I don't worry
And I don't weep
In fact…
I'm glad!

Because I

Get up off my pillow
And I flip on the light
I get down and get hip
In the still of the night
I stretch and I yawn
And then I breathe real deep;
And dance myself to sleep.

I hoof around my beddy,
Just ‘a tappin' my toes
Before I know what's happened
I'm a ready to go
Got some partners I can count on
Called the Boogie-Woogie Sheep
I dance myself to sleep

I gently rock-a-by myself across the floor
I turn and then I toss
Then I start to snore
My trusty little bugle
Helps me spread the news
That I'm a'tappin' to taps
And a'rarin' to snooze.

*BUGLE MUSIC* (No, no, no, no, not the bugle!)

Well I'm gettin' kind of drowsy
So the moment has come
To grab my rubber ducky
While the sheep take my chum.

Time to shuffle off to dreamland,
Got a date to keep (Ernieeeeeeeeeeeee!)
We'll dance ourselves to sleep

Oh yeah

We'll dance ourselves to sleep

We're in our jammies

We'll dance ourselves to sleep

And thank you lambies

We'll dance ourselves to sleep

Overall Meaning

The song "I Dance Myself to Sleep" from Sesame Street is a playful and catchy tune that captures the excitement and joy of nighttime routines. The lyrics describe the singer's difficulty falling asleep, but their positive attitude shines through as they express their delight in the process of dancing themselves to sleep. The song begins by acknowledging the occasional challenge of falling asleep, conveying that it's not something to worry or cry about. Instead, the singer embraces the opportunity to get up off the pillow, flip on the light, and indulge in some late-night escapades.

The lyrics vividly depict the singer's actions as they dance their way through the night. They describe tapping their toes, rocking, tossing, and even snoring. The mention of the trusty bugle adds a fun element, symbolizing the singer's enthusiasm and their eagerness to share the news of their dancing exploits.

The song also highlights the presence of the "Boogie-Woogie Sheep," implying that the singer has imaginary dance partners to accompany them on this nighttime adventure. Lastly, the lyrics reference both a rubber ducky and sheep as the singer's companions, suggesting a playful and imaginative world unique to the singer's nighttime routine.

Overall, the song "I Dance Myself to Sleep" celebrates the power of imagination and the joy of embracing the nighttime rituals. It encourages listeners to find joy in the seemingly ordinary moments before bedtime and to adopt a positive mindset even when sleep becomes elusive.

Line by Line Meaning

Sometimes I have trouble falling asleep,
Occasionally, I struggle to fall asleep.

But it's not so bad
However, it's not a terrible situation.

I don't worry
I don't feel anxious.

And I don't weep
And I don't cry.

In fact…
In reality...

I'm glad!
I'm actually happy about it!

Because I
Because I

Get up off my pillow
Rise from my pillow

And I flip on the light
And I switch on the light

I get down and get hip
I lower myself and get into a cool rhythm

In the still of the night
In the quietness of the night

I stretch and I yawn
I stretch my body and let out a yawn

And then I breathe real deep;
And then I take deep breaths;

And dance myself to sleep.
And dance myself into a state of slumber.

I hoof around my beddy,
I move around my sleeping area,

Just ‘a tappin' my toes
Simply tapping my toes

Before I know what's happened
Before I am aware of what has occurred

I'm a ready to go
I am prepared to proceed

Got some partners I can count on
I have reliable companions

Called the Boogie-Woogie Sheep
Known as the Boogie-Woogie Sheep

I dance myself to sleep
I dance myself into a state of slumber

I gently rock-a-by myself across the floor
I gently sway myself across the floor

I turn and then I toss
I rotate and then I throw myself

Then I start to snore
Then I begin to snore

My trusty little bugle
My reliable little bugle

Helps me spread the news
Assists me in spreading the news

That I'm a'tappin' to taps
That I'm tapping my feet to taps

And a'rarin' to snooze.
And eager to fall asleep.

*BUGLE MUSIC* (No, no, no, no, not the bugle!)
*BUGLE MUSIC* (No, no, no, no, not the bugle!)

Well I'm gettin' kind of drowsy
Well, I'm becoming somewhat sleepy

So the moment has come
So the time has arrived

To grab my rubber ducky
To take my rubber duck

While the sheep take my chum.
While the sheep accompany me.

Time to shuffle off to dreamland,
Time to move off to dreamland,

Got a date to keep (Ernieeeeeeeeeeeee!)
Have an appointment to fulfill (Ernieeeeeeeeeeeee!)

We'll dance ourselves to sleep
We will dance ourselves into a state of slumber

Oh yeah
Oh yeah

We'll dance ourselves to sleep
We will dance ourselves into a state of slumber

We're in our jammies
We are wearing our pajamas

We'll dance ourselves to sleep
We will dance ourselves into a state of slumber

And thank you lambies
And thank you little lambs

We'll dance ourselves to sleep
We will dance ourselves into a state of slumber

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Marvin Gaye, William Stevenson, Ivy Hunter

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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