The group gained some notoriety when a single from its first album, Blood and Roses, was included on the soundtrack for and as the theme song of the 1986 Albert Pyun movie Dangerously Close and the video got some moderately heavy rotation on MTV. The group spent some time in its initial semi-celebrity phase defending itself in Rolling Stone against thinly-veiled accusations of sounding too much like The Byrds and The Beatles, pointing out that its Marshall Amplifier-heavy live sound was closer to heavy metal than it was to The Beatles.
Along with a basic Eastern-coast roots-rock sound that owed much to the inspirations of DiNizio, including Buddy Holly, The Who, The Clash, Elvis Costello, and Nick Lowe, the Smithereens deployed a uniquely retro obsession with Mod, the late British Invasion pop of John's Children and The Move, and other artifacts of fifties and sixties culture that lent its music substance and style. The highest position a Smithereens album attained on the Billboard pop charts was in 1990, when 11 peaked at #41 on the strength of the single A Girl Like You (which hit #38). The group is still active and tours frequently, but went for seven years without releasing a new studio album, following God Save the Smithereens in 1999.
In January 2007, the band released a cover of the album Meet the Beatles titled Meet the Smithereens. Bassist Mike Mesaros does not appear on the album, replaced by Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion . An album of original material was promised for later in the year, but Christmas with The Smithereens, released in October 2007, included only three original songs along with nine covers of Christmas songs.
Behind the Wall of Sleep
The Smithereens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She had legs that never ended
I was halfway paralyzed
She was tall and cool and pretty and she dressed as black as coal
If she asked me to I'd murder, I would gladly lose my soul
Now I lie in bed and think of her
Sometimes I even weep
Well she held a bass guitar and she was playing in a band
And she stood just like Bill Wyman
Now I am her biggest fan
Now I know I'm one of many who would like to be your friend
And I've got to find a way to to let you know I'm not like them
Now I lie in bed and think of her
Sometimes I even weep
Then I dream of her behind the wall of sleep
Now I lie in bed and think of her
Sometimes I even weep
Then I dream of her behind the wall of sleep
Got your number form a friend of mine who lives in your home town
Called you up to have a drink
Your roommate said you weren't around
Now I know I'm one of many who would like to be your friend
And I've just got to find a way to to let you know I'm not like them
Now I lie in bed and think of her
Sometimes I even weep
Then I dream of her behind the wall of sleep
Behind the wall of sleep
Behind the wall of sleep
Behind the wall of sleep
The Smithereens’ “Behind the Wall of Sleep” is a song that paints a vivid picture of a woman that the singer is infatuated with. The singer describes the woman as having long, dark hair and never-ending legs. He is paralyzed by her beauty and is even willing to lose his soul for her. The woman is a bass guitar player in a band and is admired by many. The singer seeks her out to show her that he is different from the rest, that he is someone she can rely on.
The song is an ode to unrequited love, where the singer is unable to express his feelings to the woman he desires. He lies in bed, thinking and dreaming of her, but is unable to make any real connection. The lyrics suggest that the woman is beyond his reach, both physically and emotionally, hiding behind a “wall of sleep”.
“Behind the Wall of Sleep” is a haunting ballad that showcases The Smithereens’ unique blend of power pop, rock, and new wave. Its melancholic tone and the singer's longing for the woman he cannot have are underscored by the song's driving beat and guitar riffs. The song is a testament to the band's ability to create emotional resonance through their music.
Line by Line Meaning
She had hair like Jeannie Shrimpton back in 1965
Her hair was styled like the British model Jeannie Shrimpton in 1965
She had legs that never ended
She had exceptionally long and attractive legs
I was halfway paralyzed
She had such an effect on me that I was partially unable to move or act
She was tall and cool and pretty and she dressed as black as coal
She was a confident and beautiful woman who dressed exclusively in black attire
If she asked me to I'd murder, I would gladly lose my soul
I was so under her spell that I would do anything she asked, including something immoral or illegal
Now I lie in bed and think of her
I frequently recall my memories of her when I am alone in bed
Sometimes I even weep
I am so overwhelmed with emotions that I cry
Then I dream of her behind the wall of sleep
I often have dreams about her that occur while I am sleeping
Well she held a bass guitar and she was playing in a band
She was a musician who played the bass guitar in a band
And she stood just like Bill Wyman
Her stage presence and stance were reminiscent of the Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman
Now I am her biggest fan
I greatly admire and support her and her musical career
Now I know I'm one of many who would like to be your friend
I understand that there are numerous others who desire to establish a friendship with her
And I've got to find a way to to let you know I'm not like them
I feel the need to distinguish myself from others who may have impure or insincere intentions
Got your number form a friend of mine who lives in your home town
I obtained her phone number through an acquaintance of mine who resides in her hometown
Called you up to have a drink
I attempted to contact her in order to schedule a meeting for socializing and beverages
Your roommate said you weren't around
Her roommate informed me that she was not present or available at the time of my inquiry
Behind the wall of sleep
She remains an elusive and unattainable figure who only exists in my thoughts and dreams
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Pat Dinizio
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robertstrutz5778
These guys beat hell out of ANY corporate band today or ever! Rest in peace Pat...one of the best frontmen ever!!!
@rickgehring7507
it was a very sad day when he left us......
@joejones9520
@@rickgehring7507 I wish I couldve met or just seen him but it never clicked with me until recently what a special person and unique talent he was..I went on ebay and found a nice signed item by him and have it on my wall now, closest I can ever get to the real person.
@curly_wyn
They were kind of like the alternative Outfield.
@StONed-yx5qq
Had no idea….just woke up and this song was in my head….
😳
@familykaplan1341
Damn Kidrock! Bieber! Dua Lipa!
@googleusergp
The REAL boss of NJ music, Mr. DiNizio. RIP.
@pauljohnson3340
The Smithereens are still one of the coolest bands to ever walk the planet. We need more music like this. Modern top 40 music is such a joke that jokes are offended.
@fittobetied6923
Agreed
@bobbyfeather1
I just posted this on Bill Wyman's page.