Sleep Don't
Temporary Basement Lyrics

The lyrics to Temporary Basement's song "Sleep Don't" are cryptic yet emotionally charged, painting a picture of the impermanence of life and the struggle to come to terms with loss. The opening lines suggest a sense of uncertainty and perhaps even fear, as the singer muses that roads may be rebuilt and the sky could fall, burying blame. These lines reflect a sense of impermanence and instability, suggesting that nothing is truly permanent in life. The reference to things of water never staying their shape further emphasizes this idea, indicating that change is inevitable and constant.

The song then turns to a more personal level, as the singer explores the pain of loss and the struggle to move on. The line "each night when stars transmit, one last face, a broken will" suggests that the singer is haunted by memories of someone they have lost, perhaps a lover or a friend. The reference to "photos' darkened trace" further reinforces this sense of loss and the feeling that something precious has been taken away. The imagery of paper lanterns soaking in rain and conforming to a new surface suggests a sense of transformation or adaptation, as if the singer is grappling with how to move on and rebuild their life after such a devastating loss.

The chorus of the song is a plea for sleep, a respite from the pain and the memories that torment the singer. The line "sleep don't come easy when my eyes turn to you" suggests that the singer is unable to let go of their lost loved one and is constantly haunted by their memory. The final lines of the song, "If I could be honest to you, I'd not hide in, I'd show to you, no metaphor, just what could present to you," are a vulnerable admission from the singer that they are struggling to be honest with themselves and with their lost loved one. The use of metaphor throughout the song suggests that the singer has been hiding behind poetic language, using it as a shield to protect themselves from the raw emotions of their grief. The final lines suggest a desire for honesty and openness, as if the singer is ready to confront their pain head-on and find a way to move forward.