Only When I Sleep
The Corrs Lyrics


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You're only just a dream boat
Sailing in my head
You swim my secret oceans
Of coral blue and red
Your smell is incense burning
Your touch is silken yet
It reaches through my skin
Moving from within
And clutches at my breast

But it's only when I sleep
See you in my dreams
Got me spinning round and round
Turning upside down
But I only hear you breathe
Somewhere in my sleep
Got me spinning round and round
Turning upside down
But it's only when I sleep

And when I wake from slumber
Your shadow's disappeared
Your breath is just a sea mist
Surrounding my body
I'm working through the daytime
But when it's time to rest
I'm lying in my bed
Listening to my breath
Falling from the edge

But it's only when I sleep
See you in my dreams
Got me spinning round and round
Turning upside down
But I only hear you breathe
Somewhere in my sleep
Got me spinning round and round
Turning upside down
But it's only when I sleep

But it's only when I sleep

(Up to the sky)
(Where angles fly)
(I'll never die)
(Hawaiian high)

It's reaching through my skin
Moving from within
And clutches at my breast

But it's only when I sleep
See you in my dreams
Got me spinning round and round
Turning upside down
But I only hear you breathe

(In bed I lie)
(No need to cry)
(My sleeping cry)
(Hawaiian high)

(Up to the sky)
(Where angles fly)




(I'll never die)
(Hawaiian high)

Overall Meaning

The Corrs song "Only When I Sleep" delves into the idea of a love that only exists in dreams. The lyrics talk about a person who is just a dream, sailing in the singer's head, and swimming in their secret oceans of coral blue and red. The person's touch is silken yet reaches through the singer's skin, clutches at her breast, and moves from within. But when the singer wakes up, the person disappears, and she's left working through the day and listening to her breath falling from the edge.


The chorus repeats the idea of spinning around and upside down, but the person is only present when the singer sleeps. The song then enters a bridge section, where the singer is dreaming of Hawaii, and the person is just a breath. The final chorus confirms that the person is only present when the singer sleeps.


The lyrics, while seemingly simple, speak to the idea of a love that only exists in a person's fantasy. The singer yearns for the dreamboat, but it's only when she sleeps that she can be with him.


Line by Line Meaning

You're only just a dream boat
You are just a figment of my imagination


Sailing in my head
I can only experience you in my mind


You swim my secret oceans
You explore my innermost thoughts and emotions


Of coral blue and red
Full of vivid and intense feelings


Your smell is incense burning
Your presence is soothing and comforting


Your touch is silken yet
Your touch is gentle and soft


It reaches through my skin
Your touch is so powerful that it affects me deeply


Moving from within
Your touch ignites a fire inside me


And clutches at my breast
My heart beats faster and I feel overwhelmed with emotions


But it's only when I sleep
I can only experience this in my dreams


See you in my dreams
You exist only in my subconscious mind


Got me spinning round and round
Thinking of you affects me deeply


Turning upside down
My emotions become turbulent and confusing


But I only hear you breathe
Your presence is felt only through the sound of your breath


Somewhere in my sleep
In the world of dreams


And when I wake from slumber
Reality sets in


Your shadow's disappeared
You are gone from my conscious mind


Your breath is just a sea mist
Your presence has become vague and unclear


Surrounding my body
I can still feel the effects of your presence


I'm working through the daytime
I am distracted by my daily tasks


But when it's time to rest
I can finally relax


I'm lying in my bed
I am alone with my thoughts


Listening to my breath
Focusing on my own presence and existence


Falling from the edge
Drifting off into the world of dreams


(Up to the sky)
A playful reference to heaven


(Where angles fly)
A misspelling of 'angels', reinforcing the ethereal theme of the song


(I'll never die)
A hopeful sentiment that transcends mortality


(Hawaiian high)
A whimsical and dreamy phrase, possibly referencing a positive state of mind




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, ST. PAUL MUSIC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL PETERSON, ANDREA CORRS, JIM CORRS, AARON CORRS, CAROLINE CORRS, OLIVER J. LEIBER, JOHN SHANKS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@dannielbohorquezaguilar243

You're only just a dream boat
Sailing in my head
You swim my secret oceans
Of coral blue and red
Your smell is incense burning
Your touch is silken yet
It reaches through my skin
Moving from within
And clutches at my breast

But it's only when I sleep
See you in my dreams
Got me spinning round and round
Turning upside down
But I only hear you breathe
Somewhere in my sleep
Got me spinning round and round
Turning upside down
But it's only when I sleep

And when I wake from slumber
Your shadow's disappeared
Your breath is just a sea mist
Surrounding my body
I'm working through the daytime
But when it's time to rest
I'm lying in my bed
Listening to my breath
Falling from the edge

But it's only when I sleep
See you in my dreams
Got me spinning round and round
Turning upside down
But I only hear you breathe
Somewhere in my sleep
Got me spinning round and round
Turning upside down
But it's only when I sleep

But it's only when I sleep

It's reaching through my skin
Moving from within
And clutches at my breast

But it's only when I sleep
See you in my dreams
Got me spinning round and round
Turning upside down
But I only hear you breathe.



All comments from YouTube:

@honehbadgerz9352

2024 anyone?

@garycarr3857

The Corrs

@BGJnr

Yes brother, we are for sure here

@kinanarii4931

@holliegamers9542

Yeah..

@kennyp9616

U2,The Cranberries & The Corrs. Thank you very much Ireland.

@cazatemplarios161

Thin Lizzy?

@ekalayapalastra5628

How about boyzone?

@despecablecreeper4378

And enya

@blituarik

Westlife too

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