Lynne's first recording for Epic was a duet with George Jones, "If I Could Bottle This Up", which became a top-50 hit in 1988. In 2000 she won a Grammy award for "Best New Artist", despite the fact that she had been recording and releasing records for more than ten years
With Tears, Lies, and Alibis the follow-up to 2008's Just A Little Lovin' and the first release on her own label, Everso Records, Shelby Lynne affirms her position as a visionary, iconoclastic artist who deftly weaves country, soul, rock, blues, pop and folk influences to forge her own unique style. Like Identity Crisis (2003) and Suit Yourself (2005), this sparse, unguarded collection was produced by Lynne, who evokes a live-in-the-studio vibe from a stellar group of musicians. Born in Quantico, VA, she grew up in Jackson, AL and headed to Nashville at an early age. At 18, Lynne s demos landed her an appearance on TNN s Nashville Now series, which led to a Top 50 duet ( "If I Could Bottle This Up" ) with George Jones and a record deal. Following the release of the critically acclaimed I Am Shelby Lynne in 2000, she won the GRAMMY® for Best New Artist. She made her acting debut in 2005, playing Johnny Cash's mother in the Fox Searchlight motion picture Walk the Line.
Sleep
Shelby Lynne Lyrics
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I would like for you to spend the night with me.
Sleep. Where you been.
I have surely missed you since you've been gone.
I have walked the dirt and seen the clouds in the sky and
Seen them different in the daytime.
It hurts my eyes to close them cause they only close to blink away the tears that I cry.
Sleep. Be my friend.
I could use a close one to remind me how to live again.
Sleep. Make it end.
Let me rest and lie beside my tired old bones and hold me.
Sing to me a lullaby on hopes of shutting down these eyes and close out the world.
Force me to dream so I'll know I've slept and shelter me from daylights creeping fingers.
Sleep. Please appear.
Show to me your face and tell me it's ok to rest.
Sleep. Help me try,
To put my body down on pillows made out of my Mama's womb.
Satisfy my eagerness for comfort in this time of worry let me let it go.
When I'm sure the lights are out and sandman throws himself about
I'll trust you again.
Sleep. Say my prayers.
Asking for a place that looks like all the nighttime fantasies.
Sleep. Are you here?
Are you real and am I snuggling down tonight?
The song "Sleep" by Shelby Lynne is a soulful ballad about the desire for rest and the comfort that sleep can bring. The lyrics suggest a longing for a close friend or companion who can accompany the singer through the process of shutting out the world and finding solace in sleep. The opening lines, "Sleep. Come on in. I would like for you to spend the night with me," set the tone for the song's reverent, almost worshipful attitude towards sleep.
Throughout the song, Lynne sings about the physical and emotional weariness that has left her yearning for the release of sleep. She describes the pain of keeping her eyes open and the desire to close them but also the fear of losing control of her emotions if she allows herself to sleep. She implores sleep to be her "friend" and "satisfy [her] eagerness for comfort."
Ultimately, the song portrays sleep as a kind of spiritual refuge, a place where the singer can escape the pain and turmoil of the waking world and find respite and peace. The final lines, "Sleep. Are you here? Are you real and am I snuggling down tonight?" capture the sense of uncertainty and hope that comes with the quest for rest and renewal.
Line by Line Meaning
Sleep. Come on in.
Inviting sleep to accompany and spend the night with the singer.
Sleep. Where you been.
Expressing how much the singer has missed sleep since they've been away and the longing for it to return.
I have walked the dirt and seen the clouds in the sky and
Reflecting on the singer's experiences during the day.
Seen them different in the daytime.
Noticing how things can look different during the day than at night.
It hurts my eyes to close them cause they only close to blink away the tears that I cry.
Expressing emotional pain that makes it hard to sleep and the sadness that comes along with it.
Sleep. Be my friend.
Asking sleep to be a comforting companion during a difficult time.
Sleep. Make it end.
Seeking relief from pain and struggle through sleep.
Sing to me a lullaby on hopes of shutting down these eyes and close out the world.
Requesting a soothing lullaby to help the artist fall asleep and escape from the world's troubles.
Force me to dream so I'll know I've slept and shelter me from daylights creeping fingers.
Desiring to dream while sleeping to ensure rest was attained and avoid being jolted awake by sunlight creeping through curtains.
Sleep. Please appear.
Asking sleep to come and show itself, providing comfort and respite.
Sleep. Help me try,
Pleading with sleep to aid the singer in getting some rest to escape from troubles.
To put my body down on pillows made out of my Mama's womb.
Wishing for deep comfort and a sense of safety, even feeling like they're back in their mother's womb.
Satisfy my eagerness for comfort in this time of worry let me let it go.
Expressing a need to be comforted in times of worry and to let go of anxieties to achieve peaceful rest.
When I'm sure the lights are out and sandman throws himself about I'll trust you again.
When the singer is certain everything is quiet and dark, they will trust sleep to protect and provide comfort once more.
Sleep. Say my prayers.
Requesting sleep to provide a calm environment for prayer and reflection.
Asking for a place that looks like all the nighttime fantasies.
Asking for a dreamlike atmosphere where the artist's fantasies can come to life.
Sleep. Are you here?
Questioning whether sleep has arrived, wondering whether they can finally snuggle down and find peace.
Are you real and am I snuggling down tonight?
Questioning whether sleep is real and whether they will finally be able to get a peaceful night's rest.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Shelby Lynne Moorer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind