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Sleep
The Chemicals Lyrics
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It feels like as if somebody was gripping my
They're theses terrors and its like
It feels like as if somebody was gripping my throat
Like last night, uh, they're not like tremors
They're worse than tremors they're, they're theses terrors
Like last night, uh, they're not like tremors
And its like
It feels like as if somebody was gripping my throat
And squeezing and
It feels like as if somebody was gripping my throat
Some say, now suffer all the children
And walk away a savior,
Or a madman and polluted
From gutter institutions
Don't you breathe for me,
Undeserving of your sympathy,
'Cause there ain't no way that I'm sorry for what I did
And through it all
How could you cry for me?
'Cause I don't feel bad about it
So shut your eyes,
Kiss me goodbye,
And sleep
Just sleep
The hardest part is letting go of your dreams
A drink for the horror that I'm in,
For the good guys, and the bad guys,
For the monsters in our beds
Three cheers for tyranny,
Unapologetic apathy,
'Cause there ain't no way that I'm coming back again
And through it all
How could you cry for me?
'Cause I don't feel bad about it
So shut your eyes,
Kiss me goodbye,
And sleep
Just sleep
The hardest part's the awful things that I've seen
Sometimes I see flames and sometimes
I see people that I love dying and, it's always
Just sleep
Just sleep
Just sleep
Just sleep
Just sleep
Just sleep
Wake up
Wake up
Wake up
Wake up
And I can't, I can't ever wake up
The Chemicals' song Sleep is a hauntingly beautiful and emotional song that deals with themes of mental illness, trauma, and the struggle to let go of one's dreams. The first half of the song talks about the terrors that haunt the singer, as if somebody was gripping their throat. These terrors are worse than mere tremors and seem to be representative of the singer's mental state. The second half of the song is about the struggles that come with mental illness and the pain that the singer has seen, which is making it hard for them to wake up.
The lyrics in the first verse are visceral and paint a picture of the terror that the singer is feeling. The repetition of the phrase "they're these terrors" emphasizes the severity of the situation. The use of the word "gripping" also adds to the feeling of something controlling the singer. The second verse shifts the focus to societal expectations and critiques them for their lack of sympathy towards those suffering from mental illness. The phrase "undeserving of your sympathy" is a powerful statement that tells listeners not to feel sorry for the singer.
The chorus of the song is a plea to just let the singer sleep, to forget about the pain and the struggles that come with mental illness. The repetition of "just sleep" creates a sense of finality, as if the singer is resigned to their fate. The use of the phrase "kiss me goodbye" adds to this feeling and gives the impression that the singer is giving up on life.
Line by Line Meaning
They're these terrors, and its like
Referring to night terrors, a type of sleep disorder where individuals experience intense fear or anxiety while asleep.
It feels like as if somebody was gripping my
Describing the suffocating feeling the singer experiences during a night terror.
They're theses terrors and its like
Reiterating the presence of and fear induced by night terrors.
Like last night, uh, they're not like tremors
Night terrors cannot be compared to minor shakes or twitching during sleep.
They're worse than tremors they're, they're theses terrors
Night terrors are more severe than tremors, causing the artist extreme distress.
And squeezing and
Describing the sensation of a tight grip around the singer's throat, causing breathing difficulties during a night terror.
Some say, now suffer all the children
Possibly a reference to a quote from the song 'Black' by Pearl Jam, stating the unfairness and suffering of innocent children in the world.
And walk away a savior,
The artist questions whether a person can truly be seen as good or heroic when they witness the suffering of others but do nothing to help.
Or a madman and polluted
The artist examines the negative consequences that can come from helping others, such as the mental toll it can take on a person.
From gutter institutions
Describing the societal structures that lead to suffering, where the disadvantaged are forced to live in poverty and desperation.
Don't you breathe for me,
The singer wants to be left alone and does not want anyone to empathize with their struggles.
Undeserving of your sympathy,
The artist believes they do not deserve pity, as they do not want others to feel sorry for them.
'Cause there ain't no way that I'm sorry for what I did
The singer is unapologetic for their choices and actions.
And through it all
Throughout all of the singer's hardships and struggles.
How could you cry for me?
The singer questions why anyone would waste tears on their behalf.
'Cause I don't feel bad about it
The artist does not feel guilty or remorseful about their actions.
So shut your eyes,
The artist tells an unknown individual to stop looking or paying attention to them.
Kiss me goodbye,
The singer wants a final farewell before they move on or disappear.
And sleep
The singer wants the unknown individual to rest or move on without them.
The hardest part is letting go of your dreams
The artist expresses that the most difficult part of life is accepting the loss of hopes and aspirations.
A drink for the horror that I'm in,
The artist raises a glass to commemorate their misery and suffering.
For the good guys, and the bad guys,
The artist drinks to those around them, whether good or bad.
For the monsters in our beds
Referring to the fears and anxieties that can haunt us in our dreams or in the night.
Three cheers for tyranny,
The artist toasts to oppressive systems that rule over people with absolute power.
Unapologetic apathy,
The singer demonstrates an uncaring and indifferent attitude.
'Cause there ain't no way that I'm coming back again
The singer asserts that they will never return to their current state of being.
Sometimes I see flames and sometimes
Describing the hallucinations and nightmares experienced during night terrors, where the singer sees vivid images of disasters or tragic events.
I see people that I love dying and, it's always
The artist vividly imagines a recurring scenario where the people they care about meet a tragic end.
Just sleep
The artist repeats the phrase to emphasize their desire for rest or death.
Wake up
The singer calls for an awakening, possibly indicating a desire to escape their current situation.
And I can't, I can't ever wake up
The singer expresses their inability to escape their current state of being, even when they want to.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BLOW THE DOORS OFF CHICAGO
Written by: BOB BRYAR, FRANK IERO, GERARD WAY, MICHAEL WAY, RAY TORO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind