Sleepless Nights
Treetop Flyers Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sleepless night, unwanted friend
A face and name I know I've seen
Talking to me, dancing in the sun

Running faster with each take
The cameraman occupied by fate
Where have I seen you before?
Another suitcase, another hall
Another play and another score
In this one I'm dressed up as the conductor

I can hear her singing up the stairs
Door slams, where has Mary gone?

Did she ever make the stage on time?
Did the thunder of the crowd reply?
Did the velvet curtains fall,
On another empty hall?

She picks up her cup of tea
Her antique face is out of place
The waiter tips his top hat
To the bourgeoisie

Running down these mirrored halls
All these faces and these doors
But she is drinking lightning from the bottle

I can hear her singing up the stairs
Door slams, where has Mary gone?

Did she ever make the stage on time?
Did the thunder of the crowd reply?
Did the velvet curtains fall,
On another empty hall?

Mary come dance with me
I am not tired
Please take these reigns from me
And let's go wild

Mary come dance with me
I am not tired
Please take these reigns from me
And let's go wild

Did she ever make the stage on time?
Did the thunder of the crowd reply?




Did the velvet curtains fall,
On another empty hall?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Treetop Flyers' song "Sleepless Nights" tell a story of a restless night plagued by memories and unanswered questions. The singer refers to their sleepless night as an "unwanted friend," suggesting that these moments of wakefulness are not welcomed or desired. They describe a face and name that they feel familiar with but cannot recall where they have seen them before. This creates a sense of puzzlement and uncertainty.


As the song continues, the singer shifts their focus to another situation, referencing a suitcase, a hall, and a play. They mention being dressed up as a conductor, indicating that they are involved in a theatrical production. Yet, there is a sense of detachment as they question whether Mary, presumably a fellow performer, ever made it to the stage on time. The repetitive lines asking if Mary ever made it, if the crowd reacted, and if the curtains fell on an empty hall highlight the singer's longing for resolution and closure.


The lyrics also touch upon themes of beauty, luxury, and the passage of time. The mention of Mary's antique face being out of place and the waiter tipping his top hat to the bourgeoisie convey a certain decadence and social class dichotomy. The mirrored halls and faces symbolize the repetition and conformity often found in the entertainment industry. However, the line "she is drinking lightning from the bottle" suggests an element of rebellion and perhaps a desire to break free from the constraints of their surroundings.


Overall, "Sleepless Nights" delves into the internal struggle of the singer as they grapple with memories, unknown connections, and a sense of longing. It captures the restless thoughts and unanswered questions that can haunt us in the silent hours of the night.


Line by Line Meaning

Sleepless night, unwanted friend
A night of restlessness that feels like an unwelcome companion


A face and name I know I've seen
A familiar person whose identity is recognized but not fully remembered


Talking to me, dancing in the sun
Engaging in conversation and joyful activities under the bright sunlight


Running faster with each take
Escalating speed and momentum with every attempt


The cameraman occupied by fate
The person behind the camera controlled by destiny


Where have I seen you before?
Questioning the familiarity and trying to recall the previous encounter


Another suitcase, another hall
Continuously moving to different places and facing new situations


Another play and another score
Engaging in a new performance or endeavor and striving for success


In this one I'm dressed up as the conductor
Taking the role of a conductor, being in control and leading the way


I can hear her singing up the stairs
Perceiving the sound of a woman's singing coming from higher levels


Door slams, where has Mary gone?
The sudden sound of a door closing prompts the question of Mary's whereabouts


Did she ever make the stage on time?
Wondering if Mary managed to arrive on stage punctually


Did the thunder of the crowd reply?
Questioning whether the audience responded with a loud cheer


Did the velvet curtains fall,
Did the luxurious curtains close


On another empty hall?
In yet another vacant performance venue


She picks up her cup of tea
Taking hold of her tea-filled cup


Her antique face is out of place
Her old-fashioned appearance seems discordant or incongruous


The waiter tips his top hat
The waiter politely touches his hat in a gesture of respect


To the bourgeoisie
Acknowledging the upper class or privileged individuals


Running down these mirrored halls
Moving swiftly through corridors with reflective surfaces


All these faces and these doors
Encountering numerous people and various opportunities


But she is drinking lightning from the bottle
She is consuming an intense and electrifying experience


Mary come dance with me
Invitation for Mary to join in a dance


I am not tired
Expressing lack of fatigue or weariness


Please take these reigns from me
Requesting Mary to take control or responsibility


And let's go wild
Suggesting they embrace uninhibited and uncontrolled behavior


Did she ever make the stage on time?
Questioning if Mary ever arrived promptly for her performance


Did the thunder of the crowd reply?
Enquiring if the audience responded with enthusiastic applause


Did the velvet curtains fall,
Did the rich, smooth curtains descend


On another empty hall?
In yet another vacant concert hall




Lyrics ยฉ O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Tomer Danan, Sam Beer, Reid Morrison, Laurie Sherman

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

J.A.Z

This band is an underrated gem. Some of the best Folk Rock of the era.

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