Sleep
Taking Back Sunday Lyrics


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(Yeah!)

Well, we assure you, the procedure is safe and routine
Dramamine sends haunting dreams (Dramamine sends haunting dreams)
With an incessant drip, signs pockets like a palsy
'Cause you have to work hard for.. (Yeah you work hard for what you've got)
Yeah you have to work hard for.. (Yeah you work hard for what you've got)
(Yeah you work and now your...)

(Local.. Ane..sthe..sia.. Teases)
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia

Sleep, Oh! Sleep, Oh! Sleep, Oh!
We'll breathe the sweet air through your nose
Sleep, Oh! Sleep, Oh! Sleep, Oh!
We'll breathe the sweet air through your nose

Something practiced is something perfect
Our selfishly slim member cuffed
The season's got us eating less and less (less and less..)
You walk the full length of Manhattan in no time flat
While your slow, sick words start sticking in every stare

(Yeah you work hard for what you've got
Yeah you work hard for what you've got
Yeah you work and now your...)

(Local... Ane... sthe...sia.. Teases..)
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia

Sleep Oh! Sleep Oh! Sleep Oh!
We'll breathe the sweet air through your nose
Sleep Oh! Sleep Oh! Sleep Oh!
We'll breathe the sweet air through your nose

(Lo...cal... Ane... Sthesia... Teases..)
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia, teases,
Local anesthesia,
Teases me too!

Sleep Oh! Sleep Oh! Sleep Oh!
We'll breathe the sweet air through your nose
Sleep Oh! Sleep Oh! Sleep Oh!
We'll breathe the sweet air through your nose

Yeah you work hard for what you've got
(Breathe the sweet air through your lungs)
Yeah you work hard for what you've got
Yeah you work hard for what you've got
Yeah you work hard for what you've got
Yeah you work hard for what you've got




Yeah you work hard for what you've got
Yeah you work and now you're...

Overall Meaning

The song Sleep by Taking Back Sunday is a powerful and poetic depiction of the struggles that people go through in their daily lives. The lyric "Yeah you work hard for what you've got" is repeated at the beginning and end of the song, which reflects the idea that hard work is essential for success. The use of the word "work" in this context might refer to a job or career specifically, but could also be interpreted more broadly to include any effort that one puts into achieving their goals.


The verses of the song describe a medical procedure that is routine but not without risk. The drug Dramamine is mentioned, which is often used to treat motion sickness, but can also have effects on the mind and perception. The lyrics suggest that the procedure involves local anesthesia, which teases the senses and alters perception even further.


The song also touches on issues around body image and the pressures that people feel to conform to certain standards of beauty. The line "The season's got us eating less and less" suggests that there is pressure to be thin, possibly because of fashion trends or the unrealistic beauty standards of the media. The slow, sick words that "start sticking in every stare" may represent negative self-talk or criticisms from others that can erode confidence and self-esteem.


Overall, Sleep is a complex and thought-provoking song that touches on many different themes related to work, health, and self-perception.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, we assure you, the procedure is safe and routine
The process of obtaining sleep through the use of medication is a common and safe practice.


Dramamine sends haunting dreams (Dramamine sends haunting dreams)
The medication Dramamine can cause disturbing dreams.


With an incessant drip, signs pockets like a palsy
With a constant flow of medication, side effects such as tremors and shaking can occur.


'Cause you have to work hard for.. (Yeah you work hard for what you've got)
In order to achieve success or what you desire, hard work is necessary.


Yeah you have to work hard for.. (Yeah you work hard for what you've got)
Success and what you obtain in life is a result of the effort you put in.


(Yeah you work and now your...)
Your hard work has paid off and you are reaping the benefits.


(Local.. Ane..sthe..sia.. Teases)
The use of local anesthesia can be both teasing and frustrating in the process of inducing sleep.


Sleep, Oh! Sleep, Oh! Sleep, Oh!
The need and desire for sleep is emphasized and repeated.


We'll breathe the sweet air through your nose
The medication used will help the subject breathe better and thus sleep better.


Something practiced is something perfect
The more something is done, the better one becomes at doing it.


Our selfishly slim member cuffed
A selfish and thin person is restrained or held accountable.


The season's got us eating less and less (less and less..)
We are consuming less food as a result of the current season and its effects on our bodies.


You walk the full length of Manhattan in no time flat
You are able to walk the entirety of Manhattan quickly and efficiently.


While your slow, sick words start sticking in every stare
Your slow and unwell speech is being noticed and causing concern in others.


(Lo...cal... Ane... Sthesia... Teases..)
The use of local anesthesia continues to be a source of frustration and teasing in the process of inducing sleep.


Teases me too!
The teasing effects of local anesthesia are also affecting the artist.


(Breathe the sweet air through your lungs)
The medication being used is helping the subject breathe better and thus sleep better.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ADAM BURBANK LAZZARA, EDWARD REYES, FREDERICK PAUL MASCHERINO, MARK O'CONNELL, MATTHEW A. RUBANO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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