Talking in His Sleep
Toni Braxton Lyrics
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Want to bet
My oh my
How can this be there he goes
Talking in his sleep
By and by
He will connive does he know
He's talking in his sleep
The affair okay
He's corrupt
What do I do what do I say
I feel ashamed embarrassed fatigued
Such a petty crime of sexual indiscretion
At night when he lays down
How I wish I could not hear the sound
But I could
Oh the things that he said
My oh my
How can this be
There he goes talking in his sleep
By and by
He will connive does he know
He's talking in his sleep
Adultery that's what the call it
When you're married
Tell me something
Why is it that the men are forgiven and the women
Aren't
I don't know maybe, maybe I should forgive him
Maybe I'm over-reacting what do you think...not!
The promises he made
Said we'll be together for always
He's such a liar
Then he calls out her name
My oh my
How can this be
There he goes talking in his sleep
By and by
He will connive does he know
He's talking in his sleep
Guilty secrets
They are haunting my life
And he doesn't even know that I know
Can you hear him
The promises he makes
Said we'll be together for always
He's such a liar
Then he goes out to burn me
My oh my
How can this be
There he goes talking in his sleep
By and by
He will connive does he know
He's talking in his sleep
The song "Talking in His Sleep" by Toni Braxton is about a woman who discovers that her partner is cheating on her through his sleep talking. The first verse shows the woman's disbelief and shock at discovering that her lover, whom she thought she knew so well, is actually cheating on her. She feels betrayed and embarrassed, and wonders what to do and say to him. She cannot believe that his sexual indiscretion is such a petty crime compared to the damage it has caused to their relationship. She cannot escape his talk, as he speaks even in his dreams, revealing his betrayal.
The second verse talks about the societal expectations surrounding adultery and infidelity. She observed that society has these double standards and unfair way of looking at cheating. She cannot forgive her partner so easily without him proving himself worthy of her trust again. The promises her partner made to her of always being together were nothing more than mere lies that he said to keep her in the dark. When he calls out the other woman's name in his sleep, it is clear that she knows fully well what is happening. She is haunted by guilty secrets that he doesn't even know she knows.
Overall, the song is about the pain and betrayal one can feel when they discover their partner's unfaithfulness. Toni Braxton effectively conveys the agony and pain she feels at the realization of her partner's cheating through her emotive singing.
Line by Line Meaning
So you know everything about your lover
You think you know everything about your partner
Want to bet
Do you really believe that?
My oh my
Expressing surprise and shock
How can this be there he goes
I can't believe this is happening
Talking in his sleep
Revealing his secrets unconsciously
By and by
Over time
He will connive does he know
He will scheme and manipulate, unaware of being caught
He's talking in his sleep
He's confessing his misdeeds subconsciously
The affair okay
Accepting the affair happened
He's corrupt
He's dishonest and morally bankrupt
What do I do what do I say
Not knowing how to react to the situation
I feel ashamed embarrassed fatigued
Feeling guilty, embarrassed, and exhausted
Such a petty crime of sexual indiscretion
Downplaying the severity of the infidelity
At night when he lays down
During the night when he sleeps
How I wish I could not hear the sound
Wishing she could ignore what he says in his sleep
But I could
But it's impossible to ignore
Oh the things that he said
The things he's revealed while asleep
Adultery that's what they call it
Referring to the infidelity
When you're married
In the context of marriage
Tell me something
Asking a question
Why is it that the men are forgiven and the women
Expressing a perceived double standard
Aren't
Aren't forgiven as easily
I don't know maybe, maybe I should forgive him
Uncertainty about whether forgiveness is warranted
Maybe I'm over-reacting what do you think...not!
Being sarcastic, expressing certainty about not over-reacting
The promises he made
Referring to past vows and commitments
Said we'll be together for always
Promising lifelong commitment
He's such a liar
Not believing in his sincerity
Then he calls out her name
Calling out the name of his lover
Guilty secrets
Secrets that cause guilt
They are haunting my life
Negatively impacting her life and thoughts
And he doesn't even know that I know
He's unaware that she's aware of his secrets
Can you hear him
Asking the hypothetical listener if they can hear what he's saying
Then he goes out to burn me
Intentionally hurting her
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: TONI BRAXTON, KEITH EDWARD CROUCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind