The Savage Animal 09.01.10: Ten Songs About Sleep
Posted by Mikey MiGo on 09.01.2010
What do Radiohead, Wu-Tang Clan, and Metallica have in common besides style and sound? They’ve all made songs about sleep! In this episode of The Savage Animal, we take a look at ten songs about sleep. When I snap my fingers you will click this link and enjoy! (snap)
Time flies when you're having fun or in a coma. This past week it's been a bit of both. I've kept myself so busy that I about crapped myself when I realized that it's already September. Right now I'm working on preproduction for a movie, preproduction for two web series, writing my 12th or 13th screenplay, graphic design, promotion, deep into editing a documentary, and of course the "Maniak Moments" web series. I love these projects, but the zombie like glares at it all feel like a "coma". But like I said, I'm digging the productivity so it's "fun". Hence, time is flying by.
By this point, you know that for the past few weeks I've been unleashing webisodes of random matches from my now defunct independent professional wrestling company called "Maniak Enterprise Wrestling". I take five random matches, throw them together, and call it "Maniak Moments". So far, despite the bad quality and some cringe worthy work on behalf of everyone involved, the response has been pretty good. It brings back a lot of memories from Chicagoland indie fans and is enjoyed by a whole new generation of people. That's cool. If you think the matches suck, then remember you get what you pay for. In this week's "Main Event", you get a solid match for the MEW World Enterprise Title from 2004 with champion Stryc 9 defending against Kenny Courageous. Stryc 9 was really talented and made a great champion. I always thought he'd go far in the business and had tons of confidence in him. He was reliable, talented, "had the look", and had more personality than given credit for. Taking him on here is Kenny Courageous. Kenny was around a bit before MEW started and is responsible for training the majority of the "old school Maniaks". My biggest complaint about him is still his name. It sounds like an 80's jobber name and it irks me. Knowing how skilled and charismatic he was and probably still is, I always felt his name is what held people back. His efforts in crafting the "green boys" will forever be appreciated because without him taking a dozen kids under his wing MEW would have never started or left the backyard. Enjoy this match between two professionals. It's face vs. face and good old fashion back and forth chain wrestling….
ZZZzzz ZZZzzz ZZZzzzIn the wide range realm of music there have always been songs about similar topics. Songs about love, loss, war, lust, and partying have become a staple in the types of songs we've let dominate our ears. There's a million ways to convey a thought, even that thought is universal. The reason a good portion of songs have these similar themes is because its stuff we all experience.
One thing we all experience is sleep. We all need rest. It's a necessity and a pleasure to be able to put your head on a pillow and just pass out into a slumber. Sometimes we have trouble sleeping, sometimes our dreams and nightmares come into effect, and sometimes a musician will use "sleep" as a metaphor for something else. The point is that a lot of bands, singers, and basically some of the biggest stars of all time have made music referencing sleep.
I'm well aware that there's plenty more out there than just ten songs about sleep. I'm going with these ten, well, because to me they're the most notable and the ones I can think of off the top of my head. I'm sure with some research I could probably find dozens more; some better than what is on my list. Because of this, I don't think it's fair to call it a "Top Ten". This is just ten songs that are worth discussing. By all means, if you have any other picks please feel free to share. There are no wrong answers, especially mine!
"Sleep Now in the Fire" by Rage Against the Machine
This song isn't literally about sleep. It uses "sleep now in the fire" as a metaphor basically saying "sleep in the bed you made" to the world. The song's lyrics blast "greed", US slavery, rapists, Hiroshima, war, and all that bad stuff. I agree with their stance on things for the most part, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I liked this song mainly because it just rocks my socks right off. And to think THIS modern rock classic lost to "Break Stuff" by Limp Bizkit at the 2000 MTV VMAs. I think that day the term "WTF" was actually invented.
"I Can't Go to Sleep" by Wu Tang Clan F/ Isaac Hayes
Like most Wu-Tang connected things, this is awesome. The video is extremely well crafted for what it is and the song is spectacular. Ghostface owns the first two minutes and then it gets surreal as the late Isaac Hayes busts out the chorus. This is a more serious Wu track as the song covers dramatic and depressing things that have gone down in the past and how it still haunts Wu to the point they can't sleep about it. Solid and pretty underrated track.
"I'm Only Sleeping" by The Beatles
From my favorite Beatles album ("Revolver") comes this John Lennon penned track. It's been said it's about John's off-tour laziness where he'd spend his days reading, writing, watching TV, and sleeping. Also that Paul would have to wake him up often for their sessions. The video is a montage of sorts and is pretty well done stuff. I don't know if it's official or not, but should be. This song is catchy and is one of the few on this list that literally mean "sleeping" when it's said.
"Go To Sleep" by Radiohead
This may very well be my favorite song by Radiohead. This song is so good it has TWO titles as the alternate title is "Little Man Being Erased". The video is creepy CGI of business people walking by as a CGI Thom York sits and sings on a park bench. Eventually the buildings start to crumble. It's said the theme is about corrupt governments and their quiet war against revolutionaries. In this case, "sleep" is a metaphor for the government wanting us to buy their propaganda. This is, at least, what I take from it. I did a lot of drugs in the early 00's.
"The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite" by R.E.M.
This made the greatest hits album from a few years ago and with good reason. It's a good track by R.E.M. For me, they're hit or miss but this song is old school fun stuff. It's kind of hard to decipher the words and that might actually be for the better. I know there's something about tea in it, which I'm cool with being an avid iced tea drinker. There's one theory this song is about waiting for a drug dealer. I won't pretend to know for sure, but the song does speak of a sidewinder sleeping. You can take the metaphors however you please. I prefer over easy.
"I Go To Sleep" by Rasputina
The original was by The Kinks and then in the 80s we heard The Pretenders release a very popular cover of this song. I don't care about those versions. For me, it's all about this Rasputina cover armed with a beautiful music accompaniment. This sleep variation is more about going to bed alone, which is do delicately discussed in the lyrics. The song is soothing enough to put anyone to sleep, but with Rastputina the dreams would be really weird.
"No Sleep till Brooklyn" by The Beastie Boys
This was when The Beasties were still immature, goofy, and still fun. This video isn't nearly as memorable as some of their others, but the song still holds up. A commonly unknown fact is that the riff in this song was recorded by Kerry King of Slaaaaaaaayer. The sleep reference here is them not sleeping on tour until they get home from tour. You see, in the late 80's sleep was optional.
"Brain Stew" by Greenday
"I'm having trouble trying to sleep. I'm counting sheep but running out..." makes for a pretty obvious narrative. This is one of Green Day's most popular tracks and with good reason, it's catchy and good. The guitar riff is addicting and the lyrics and witty. The song is an ultimate ode to restlessness. From the album "Insomnia", the song covers the side of things when sleep is hard to maintain. The mind is "set on over drive" and everything just irks your senses as you try and try to catch some Z's.
"Asleep" by The Smiths
The validity of this video is questionable, but it's claimed to be the "US Video version" of the song made up of old clips. Whatever the case may be, it's a good and simple video. The song is beautiful never the less. Morrissey's vocals here sound of desperation. As if he's waving a white flag in surrender to finally being able to sleep. This is far from The Smith's best or most famous track, but it's still amazing. The song is eerie as can be and still gives a very soothing vibe. The words "Sing me to sleep, I'm tired and I want to go to bed" have never rang truer.
"Enter Sandman" by Metallica
I've been a casual Metallica fan for a long time. Sadly the Lars with his anti-Napster stuff and the fact that there was a very weak period in their discography really soured me on the band. So in the clip here we go with a 2004 performance that features the great Joey Jordison replacing the not great Lars. Despite the fact the performance has no life to it at all, it's about 50 times cooler because Joey is behind the kit. Any who… "Enter Sandman". The song's lyrics are about "destroying the perfect family, a huge horrible secret in a family" said James Hetfield once upon a time. The bedtime prayer part is still creepy, even after a million listens. The video is a classic and the song just might be the most popular song about sleep of all time.
RANDOM VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Better than Beetles...(the bugs/not the band)
"Last Train To Clarksville" by The Monkees
I dunno why I went with this one this week. I was a huge fan growing up watching the reruns and rocking the cassette tapes. Must be my annual "The Monkees are SO good" day. Their pop singles were written by others, but their own work has depth and soul to it. Songs like this are just fun. Mick Dolenz has a great voice and when unleashed he has as much soul as anyone else from the last 60s, which of course says a lot. Folks try their damnedest to discredit them, but that's their loss. The Monkees have a lot of to offer. The Monkees were great and listening deeper into to their discography you can find a lot of really great songs. My favorite is "All of your Toys", but I couldn't find a proper video for it.
RANDOM MOVIE REVIEW
"DEATH AT A FUNERAL"(2010)
I watched the 2007 British version of this movie at least two years ago. I know it was a new release and I do remember that I enjoyed it. Sadly, I forgot most of the plot outside of a few of the bigger details. I remember the movie being enjoyable, funny, and well done but the dryness of the Brit humor and tone made it go in one ear and out the other. I think the studios expected this and instead of pushing the movie in the states, they redid it and "Americanized" it. The font, music, and promotional trailers used for the movie made it kind of seem like some sort of Tyler Perry type of movie. That can be taken in a wrong way because we do have to acknowledge that the cast is made up mainly of African American actors and actresses. Sadly, it feels like the only mainstream people putting out African American dominated casts in movies is Tyler Perry and Ice Cube. Both have their merits, but neither really gives a fair and realistic depiction of the entire race. Sadly, this is what registers in people's mind now. Long gone are the days of Spike Lee and John Singleton putting out their masterpieces. Now we get Madea, who I liked better when she was called "Ms. Doubtfire", and Ice Cube's blandness. THANKFULLY, Death at a Funeral proves some variety is still out there. Race… hell, not even the height of a little person… is rarely brought up here. This is just a family dealing with a funeral. We have Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence, Tracy Morgan, Luke Wilson, Danny Glover, James Marsden, Zoe Saldana, Regina Hall, and the awesome Peter Dinklage rounding out a fantastic cast. Everyone has their back story, strong personalities, and tons of jokes. I'm fairly certain that 90% of the people that appeared on the screen during this movie got AT LEAST one legitimate "laugh out loud", some way more than one. If you've seen the original 2007 version, then you know the plot twists and a lot of the jokes. Still, I don't want to ruin anything for anyone. This movie was just a great surprise and a great time. Easily, one the best comedies I've seen in a good while. Everyone just rocks in the movie and does their part in making it all come together. I do have to give credit to one person individually though. James Marsden's drugged out performance is one of the best comedic drugged out performances I've seen in recent memory. I had to fight back tears from laughing. Did NOT expect that. My suggestion to anyone who enjoys laughing is to watch this movie. Seriously, forget everything I've just said except for the fact that it's worth watching… and go watch it! Watch it now!
That wraps up this episode of The Savage Animal. I had a hard time thinking of a topic this week, but I think I managed. Hopefully, YOU got something out of it, be it a distraction, a laugh, a though, or something. It's about that time for me to dive deep into another edition of "First Impressions". There's got to be a great band out there (with only 3 to 5 studio albums) that I've never listened to or encountered. I'll figure out a band to give a try and have a full review of the entire discography listening experience next week. Until then… Have a Great Week!
