Tossin' & Turnin'
Twentieth Century Zoo Lyrics
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I couldn't sleep a wink last night just a-thinking of you
Baby things weren't right I kept on tossin' and turnin'
Turnin' and tossin' tossin' and turnin' all night
I threw the blankets on the floor, turned my pillow upside down
Then I thought of you some more
And I kept on tossin' and turnin' turnin' and tossin'
Tossin' and turnin' all night
Pulled down the shade went to the kitchen for a bite
Pulled up the shade, turned off the light
I jumped back into bed it was the middle of the night
The clock downstairs was striking four, couldn't get you off my mind
Heard the milkman at the door but I was tossin' and turnin'
The lyrics to "Tossin' and Turnin'" by Twentieth Century Zoo describe the restless night of a person who is deeply in love with someone. The singer is unable to sleep as they keep thinking about their beloved. The song suggests that these feelings are not reciprocated, as the singer is unable to get the object of their affection out of their mind, while the other person seems to be unaware of these feelings. The singer's inability to sleep is emphasized by the repetition of the phrase "tossin' and turnin'" which gives the song its name.
The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and desperation, as the sleepless night highlights the singer's obsessive thoughts and inability to move on from this unrequited love. The imagery of throwing the blankets on the floor and turning the pillow upside down suggest a desire to escape from the discomfort caused by these thoughts. The singer's actions, such as turning on the light, pulling down the shade, and getting out of bed to go to the kitchen, further emphasize their inability to find peace.
Overall, "Tossin' and Turnin'" is a classic example of a song that captures the universal experience of unrequited love through its evocative lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, baby, can't you see what you're doing to me?
I'm deeply affected by your actions, can't you see?
I couldn't sleep a wink last night just a-thinking of you
I was unable to sleep at all last night because you were on my mind
Baby things weren't right I kept on tossin' and turnin'
Things weren't right and I kept tossing and turning in bed
Turnin' and tossin' tossin' and turnin' all night
I spent the entire night tossing and turning
I threw the blankets on the floor, turned my pillow upside down
I threw my blankets on the floor and turned my pillow upside down in frustration
Then I thought of you some more
I couldn't stop thinking about you even after tossing and turning
And I kept on tossin' and turnin' turnin' and tossin'
Despite my efforts, I couldn't stop tossing and turning
Tossin' and turnin' all night
I tossed and turned throughout the entire night
Jumped out of bed, turned on the light
I got out of bed and turned on the light
Pulled down the shade went to the kitchen for a bite
I closed the window and went to the kitchen to eat something
Pulled up the shade, turned off the light
I opened the window and turned off the light
I jumped back into bed it was the middle of the night
I got back into bed even though it was the middle of the night
The clock downstairs was striking four, couldn't get you off my mind
Even when the clock was striking four, I couldn't stop thinking about you
Heard the milkman at the door but I was tossin' and turnin'
I heard the milkman at the door, but I was still tossing and turning in bed
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DWAYNE P. WIGGINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind