Tossin' And Turnin'
The Ivy League Lyrics


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I can't sleep at night, tossin' and turnin'
I turn on the light, then while it's burning
I think of all the things that we do
And all the reasons why I love you
Tossin' and turnin'
I'm tossin' and turnin' all night

In my memory, there is confusion
Was that you and me or an illusion?
Was I really holding you tight?
Did I really kiss you goodnight?
Tossin' and turnin'
I'm tossin' and turnin' all night

What you gonna do at night?
Nobody to hold you tight, are you lonely?
Don't you know that I get lonely too
And I'm blaming you

When we meet again, maybe tomorrow
You will smile and then goodbye to sorrow
We'll be lovers just as before
I guess I'll never sleep anymore




Tossin' and turnin'
I'm tossin' and turnin' all night

Overall Meaning

The Ivy League's song "Tossin' and Turnin'" is a love ballad that speaks to the sleepless nights the singer has because he is consumed by thoughts of his lover. He cannot rest until he has gone through every event in his mind and puts these memories of him and his lover to rest. He wants to reconcile their relationship, hence the verse where he mentions that they will meet again, and he hopes they can recapture their former love. This song has a vintage feel that speaks to the 1960s era's intricacies and simple lyricism that make this song both a remembrance and an instant classic.


Throughout the song, the singer seems to be obsessed with his lover, resulting in the song's repetitive lyrics. The constant questioning of whether they were together and the confusion that the singer mentions builds out the complexity of their relationship. The song's tone changes in the last verse when the singer notes that he hopes they can be together once again. These haunting lyrics touch on the complexity of relationships and love, but also the constant need to put some feelings to rest for one's own well-being.


Line by Line Meaning

I can't sleep at night, tossin' and turnin'
I am unable to sleep and keep changing positions


I turn on the light, then while it's burning
I switch on the light and keep it on


I think of all the things that we do
I reminisce all the things we did together


And all the reasons why I love you
I recall all the reasons why I love you


Tossin' and turnin'
I keep changing positions


I'm tossin' and turnin' all night
I cannot sleep and keep changing positions throughout the night


In my memory, there is confusion
I am confused about some memories


Was that you and me or an illusion?
I am unable to differentiate between reality and imagination


Was I really holding you tight?
I am questioning my memory of holding you tightly


Did I really kiss you goodnight?
I am questioning my memory of kissing you goodnight


What you gonna do at night?
What are you doing at night?


Nobody to hold you tight, are you lonely?
Are you feeling lonely because there's nobody to hold you tight?


Don't you know that I get lonely too
I also feel lonely when we are away from each other


And I'm blaming you
I am holding you responsible for my loneliness


When we meet again, maybe tomorrow
When we see each other again, maybe tomorrow


You will smile and then goodbye to sorrow
You will smile and forget your sorrows


We'll be lovers just as before
We will love each other like we used to before


I guess I'll never sleep anymore
I feel like I will never be able to sleep again


Tossin' and turnin'
I keep changing positions


I'm tossin' and turnin' all night
I cannot sleep and keep changing positions throughout the night




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: John Carter, Perry Ford, Ken Lewis

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@eslermanu47

Remember buying this as a young teenager who followed the Beatles.

@bryanpalmer9660

As a young boy in the mid.60s this is one of the earliest memories I have of hearing a song on the radio-great.

@freddyfloss49

Just started work 65 happy days £2
.7 .11d per week!

@bryanpalmer9660

@@freddyfloss49 my sister remembers going to the movies at that time as a 7 yr old-1/6(15cents) wish it was like that now!

@amcmenemy5647

This and "Funny How Love Can't Be" by the Ivy League too.

@stevesanzari7294

This Was My Song ! I had met a pretty Girl from Westwood Highschool named Joanne Kahn ! Back in 1965 ! And Everytime I heard this song I thought of her !

@taramcsparron3398

Lovely harmonies. One of the best vocal groups from the 1960's.

@JohnCarterUKSongwriter

Much appreciated!🤗 Best John

@markulgoth6137

@@JohnCarterUKSongwriter Thank You Sir! So Many Wonderful memories you gave to me as a young guy :) I Loved them then and still very much do today. You are Awesome Mr. Carter! :)

@philipnorris6542

Nice one, Tara..

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