Sleeping Alone
Flatland Cavalry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴Counting constellations on the popcorn ceiling
And staring at your picture on the wall
Rays of lonely moonlight slowly slice through the blinds
As the tears begin to fall
I′m tired of sleeping alone
And I just wanna be where you are
Tired of saying goodnight through the phone
Better say a prayer
Turn out the light
Sigh and hug my pillow tight
I'll be with you soon my dear
If only in my dreams
Who I am trying to fool, baby?
I′m the one to blame
For the forces keeping us apart
I'm stubborn and I'm bold
And work′s got me in a strangle hold
Keeping a vice around my heart
Indifference over distance don′t fare well
Maybe a goodnight kiss from you
Could break me from my spell
'Cause I′m tired of sleeping alone
And I just wanna be where you are
Tired of saying goodnight through the phone
And waking up each morning in the dark
Better say a prayer
Turn out the light
Sigh and hug my pillow tight
I'll be with you soon my dear
If only in my dreams
Oh, here we go again
Off to never-never land
Better say a prayer
Turn out the light
Sigh and hug my pillow tight
I′ll be with you soon my dear
If only in my dreams
Better say a prayer
Turn out the light
Sigh and hug my pillow tight
I'll be with you soon tonight
If only in my dreams
Overall Meaning
In "Sleeping Alone" by Flatland Cavalry, the singer is lying awake in bed counting constellations on the ceiling and gazing at a picture of someone they love. As they do this, the moonlight creeps into the room and the tears start to fall. The singer is tired of being apart from their loved one and wishes they could be together instead of sleeping alone. Despite everything keeping them apart, the singer takes responsibility for their role in the situation, admitting that they are stubborn and work has them in a stranglehold. The song ends with the singer accepting their current reality and finding comfort in the thought of being with their loved one, even if it's only in their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Counting constellations on the popcorn ceiling
Lying in bed, observing the stars on the ceiling made from popcorn texture.
And staring at your picture on the wall
Gazing at a picture of a loved one hanging on the wall.
Rays of lonely moonlight slowly slice through the blinds
Moonlight shines from outside and highlights the emptiness and solitude in the room.
As the tears begin to fall
Feeling overwhelmed with emotion, tears start to flow.
I'm tired of sleeping alone
Feeling fatigued from solitary and longing for company.
And I just wanna be where you are
Wishing to be in the presence of the person they love.
Tired of saying goodnight through the phone
Exhausted from only being able to say goodbye to loved ones through technology.
And waking up each morning in the dark
Waking up alone before dawn without the companionship of that special someone.
Better say a prayer
Saying a prayer to implore for some relief or for their wishes to come true.
Turn out the light
Switching off the light before going to sleep.
Sigh and hug my pillow tight
Taking a deep breath and squeezing the pillow tightly in yearning for a warm embrace.
I'll be with you soon my dear
Expressing hope to be reunited with the special person soon.
If only in my dreams
Understanding that right now, being together is impossible but they might be able to when they dream.
Who I am trying to fool, baby?
Wondering who they are trying to deceive.
I'm the one to blame
Taking ownership of causing the separation from the person they love.
For the forces keeping us apart
Attributing the distance between them and the person they love to outside factors.
I'm stubborn and I'm bold
Admitting to being obstinate and adventurous which might be the reason for keep on going in life without them.
And work's got me in a stranglehold
Referring to an exhausting work schedule that is keeping them from the person they love.
Keeping a vice around my heart
Feeling agony and unbending loneliness that plagues them emotionally.
Indifference over distance don't fare well
Communication barriers are not conducive to a healthy relationship.
Maybe a goodnight kiss from you could break me from my spell
Hoping for even the slightest consolation from the person they love like a simple text with a goodnight message.
'Cause I'm tired of sleeping alone
Feeling tired of sleeping without the companion they deeply crave for.
Oh, here we go again
Nodding to a cycle of longing and sadness that happens over and over again.
Off to never-never land
Going to a fantasy world where the loneliness doesn't have to exist.
I'll be with you soon tonight
Feeling a sense of urgency to be with the person they love.
Writer(s): Cleto Cordero
Contributed by Sydney O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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