The Furs initially used Martin Hannett as a producer, but their initial self-titled album from 1980 was eventually produced by Steve Lillywhite. The LP quickly established the band on radio and was a top 20 hit in the UK. The album also found success in Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Australia. The US version of the album was re-sequenced, but failed to have as strong a commercial impact.
The Furs found success in the U.S. market with the 1981 release, titled 'Talk Talk Talk', which made its impact on the US album charts and received critical acclaim worldwide. In the UK, the album was a solid hit which spun off two charting singles, "Dumb Waiters" and the original version of "Pretty in Pink". The latter song served as inspiration for the 1986 John Hughes film of the same name, and was re-recorded for the platinum-selling soundtrack.
In 1982, the band was reduced to a four-piece with the departures of Morris and Kilburn. (Ex-Birthday Party drummer Phill Calvert would briefly join the group around this time.) The band's remaining members moved permanently to New York, where they recorded the album Forever Now with producer Todd Rundgren. This album contained "Love My Way", a breakthrough Top 40 hit in both the US and the UK. Ely left the band after this release, though he would return for the 1988 single "All That Money Wants" and the 1989 album Book of Days.
The Furs' 1984 release Mirror Moves was produced by Keith Forsey, and featured the songs "The Ghost in You" and "Heaven". Both charted in the UK, and "Heaven" became the band's highest charting UK hit at the time -- but inexplicably, "Heaven" was never released as a single in America. Instead, Columbia Records opted for "Here Come Cowboys", despite both international success and heavy MTV airplay on "Heaven." "Here Come Cowboys" failed to chart, but "The Ghost In You" was a hit on the US pop charts. The band had become popular in Canada as well, CFNY, Toronto's new wave radio station, listed Mirror Moves as the #1 LP of 1984.
By this time, the band had become somewhat of a staple on US college and modern rock radio stations. As well, they were building mainstream success, fairly consistently placing singles in the pop charts on both sides of the Atlantic, though they would "have more impact on future musicians than they ever did in the marketplace." In 1986, the band re-recorded a version of "Pretty in Pink", which was their biggest hit to that time in the US, and their biggest-ever UK hit.
Richard Butler later claimed that the success of "Pretty in Pink" caused the band to be pressured into entering the studio to record a follow-up release before they were ready. The result was Midnight to Midnight, an album which Butler characterized as "hollow, vapid and weak". A more overtly commercial effort than the Furs had ever recorded before, the album also featured the single "Heartbreak Beat", which was their highest charting top 40 US hit.
However, the Furs were dissatisfied with their new commercial direction, and subsequently returned to a rawer sound with "All That Money Wants", a 1988 track especially recorded for a 'best-of' collection. 1989's Book of Days saw a return to the old-school style and the temporary return of Vince Ely. 1991's World Outside was similarly more of a "back to basics" approach.
From 1988 on The Furs' chart success continued with three #1 hits on the US Modern Rock chart between 1988 and 1991.
The band splintered in 1991, with the Butler brothers going on to found Love Spit Love. After spending most of the decade apart, Butler, Butler and Ashton re-formed The Psychedelic Furs in 2000, and released a live album Beautiful Chaos: Greatest Hits Live, which also featured a new studio recording, "Alive (For Once In My Lifetime)." A DVD version of the performance included live versions of "Alive" and three other previously unreleased songs: "Anodyne (Better Days)," "Cigarette" and "Wrong Train."
Since then the Furs continue to tour the world along with former Love Spit Love drummer Frank Ferrer, ex-Information Society and World Party keyboardist Amanda Kramer and saxophonist Mars Williams who returned to the band after a stint in the late 1980s.
Showing the band's significant influence as a part of the new wave and post-punk movements, their songs have been covered by numerous other artists. Examples include Annie Lennox, Buffalo Tom, Icehouse, Powderfinger, Regenerator, and Robyn Hitchcock.
Sleep Comes Down
The Psychedelic Furs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But no tears come down
And I'm dreaming of you
Until sleep comes around
Sleep comes down sleep comes down
Sleep comes down sleep comes down
The orchestra's playing
It's so very loud
Until sleep comes around
Sleep comes down sleep comes down
Sleep comes down sleep comes down
The clouds are all running
But no tears come down
And I'm thinking of you
Until sleep comes around
Sleep comes down sleep comes down
Sleep comes down sleep comes down
The lyrics of "Sleep Comes Down" by The Psychedelic Furs are poetic and expressive. The opening line "it's raining in my head but no tears come down" describes a feeling of inner turmoil or sadness that is being experienced, but without any outward physical expression, hinting at the notion of holding back emotions or trying to contain them. The singer is then introduced as dreaming of someone until sleep arrives which could signify that the person he or she is dreaming of is the only escape from this persistent mental struggle.
As the song progresses, the imagery of the lyrics changes as the singer is now hearing an orchestra playing loudly, and biting nails in anticipation. This could be perceived as a metaphor for life, where one can be surrounded by a beautiful sound or spectacle, but still be consumed by worry, anxieties or doubts, hence biting nails. He or she then reflects on thoughts about the person they are dreaming of, signaling that the only thing that can soothe them is the memory of their love interest.
The chorus repeats the phrase "sleep comes down" several times, revealing a kind of desperation for respite from the constant mental turmoil. Overall, the lyrics portray feelings of frustration, anxiety, and emotional strain. The song may be viewed as a representation of the struggle to maintain emotional stability despite the constant pressures of life.
Line by Line Meaning
it's raining in my head
I am feeling emotionally overwhelmed and distressed
but no tears come down
Despite feeling upset, I am not physically expressing my emotions
and i'm dreaming of you
I am preoccupied with thoughts of someone I care about
until sleep comes around
I hope that sleep will provide me with relief from my emotional turmoil
sleep comes down sleep comes down
Repeatedly emphasizing the hope for sleep to come and provide relief
the orchestra's playing
There is chaos and overwhelming noise in my surroundings
it's so very loud
The noise level is oppressive and distracting
and i'm biting my nails
I am anxious or nervous about something
until sleep comes around
I am still hoping for sleep to provide me with relief
sleep comes down sleep comes down
Reiterating the desire for sleep to come and soothe my anxiety and distress
the clouds are all running
There is a sense of chaos or unease in the external environment
but no tears come down
I am still not physically expressing my emotional turmoil
and i'm thinking of you
I am still preoccupied with thoughts of someone I care about
until sleep comes around
I am still hoping that sleep will provide me with relief from my emotional turmoil
sleep comes down sleep comes down
Persistent desire and hope for sleep to provide relief
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JOHN ASHTON, RICHARD BUTLER, TIMOTHY BUTLER, VINCENT DAVEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@do2219
It's raining in my head
But no tears come down
And I'm dreaming of you
Until sleep comes around
Sleep comes down sleep comes down
Sleep comes down sleep comes down
The orchestra's playing
It's so very loud
And I'm biting my nails
Until sleep comes around
Sleep comes down sleep comes down
Sleep comes down sleep comes down
The clouds are all running
But no tears come down
And I'm thinking of you
Until sleep comes around
Sleep comes down sleep comes down
Sleep comes down sleep comes down
@therealbettyjane
SLEEP COMES DOWN
It's raining in my head
But no tears come down
And I'm dreaming of you
Until sleep comes around
Sleep comes down sleep comes down
Sleep comes down sleep comes down
The orchestra's playing
It's so very loud
And I'm biting my nails
Until sleep comes around
Sleep comes down sleep comes down
Sleep comes down sleep comes down
The clouds are all running
But no tears come down
And I'm thinking of you
Until sleep comes around
Sleep comes down sleep comes down
Sleep comes down sleep comes down
@samhannah9866
Furs in 2023 and forever!!
@suebox
My favorite song from this album; listened hundreds of times to it as a teen! Still excellent.
@stephbellingham-fk5ny
This gorgeous song reminds me of something I never knew.
@terra4988
Oh, how I loved this song. ❤
@wahivalleys3011
I saw them in the early 80s and the old Bronco Bowl in Dallas, Texas. What a show, what a band, and Talk Talk opened! How awesome! Wahi' Valleys
@Ranchorita
That was an incredible concert! I think it was in August.
@chriswrightson3052
I love this song. It's so tranquil. I've asked my wife to play it at my funeral, not because it's depressing but it would be a lovely send of ! 👍
@adonygrapes
Can I get an invitation to the party ?
@markharris4539
Might do that myself mate, great song!! 👍
@sherrydixon4852
I've already done that... I feel the same way..
Richard, Tim, all are welcome!!
You just have to sing WE LOVE YOU after they put the dirt back in the 'ole...