Top 125 Best Songs About Sleep

Most of us don’t have any problems with sleep. Except, maybe in the morning, when we wake up, we often wish we could just get a bit more. It is a place of magic. Where dreams can come true and endless possibilities exist.

However, it can also be a scary and worrying place when nightmares are involved. So, I decided to take a look at the best songs about sleep and dreaming. I am also going to look at some of the downsides… What about when you just can’t sleep? Or perhaps, when you don’t want to? 

Inspiration

Many songwriters have used sleep as their inspiration. Some have even claimed to have dreamt about a song and then written it when they woke up. As I said, it can be a magical place. So, let’s take a look at some great songs about sleep, starting with…

Top 125 Best Songs About Sleep

1

Golden Slumbers by The Beatles

The Beatles wrote plenty of songs about sleep and dreams. This is the first of a few we will look at. This is taken from the last album they recorded, Abbey Road.

On side two of the album are eight quite short songs that make up a sixteen-minute package. “Golden Slumbers” is one of those. The song was inspired by a 17th-century poem by Thomas Dekker. W.J. Henderson put music to it in 1885 and called it “Golden Slumbers Kiss Your Eyes. ”

Hidden In An Old Piano Book

Paul’s step-sister, Ruth, had it in her piano book. He couldn’t read music, but he liked the words, so he wrote new music for it. 

Interpretations are rife as to whether there is a meaning behind it. Given the break-up of the band that was now inevitable, there might be especially, as this track is followed by “Carry That Weight” and “The End.”

2

Talking In Your Sleep by Crystal Gayle

This was a big hit for American Country music singer Crystal Gayle, taken from her album When I Dream. It is strange then that it was written by Roger Cook, assisted by Bobby Wood in the UK. British band Marmalade recorded it and released it, but it failed to chart. 

It seemed to be more suited to the American market… 

But, her version still sold well in the UK. Crystal Gayle as a recognized country singer had hits on both sides of the Atlantic. It was released in 1978 and reached #11 in the UK and #18 in America.

It tells the story of someone whose partner could be talking about someone else in their sleep. We have no control over dreams. And, if we are dreaming of someone, it could translate into audible speech even while sleeping.

It seems that is what is happening here, but she isn’t sure what he is talking about. He could be talking about her because no names are mentioned.

3

When I Dream by Crystal Gayle

Let’s stay with Crystal Gayle and this album for the title track, “When I Dream.” It was the third and final single taken from the album of the same name, and the single was released in 1979. 

Despite being, in my opinion, the best song on the album and the best of the three singles, it didn’t do so well. It wasn’t released in the UK and only made #84 in America. The lyrics are very cleverly constructed with a good melody, and she sang it well. It should have done better.

This is a song about someone dreaming, about how she wants her future to be. But, you get the feeling that it is not going to happen.

4

I’m So Tired by The Beatles

Another aspect of sleep that is not so pleasant is insomnia, something that most of us have probably experienced. This is a track that talks about that from The Beatles’ classic, The White Album.

John wrote the song while they were all away in India. One night after days of meditation, he couldn’t sleep and wrote this down. And it ended up being one of the best songs about sleep.

You can read between the lines with the lyrics as he exposes his state of mind, which appears to be rather fragile. He also seems to be blaming other issues as he calls Sir Walter Raleigh a ‘stupid git’ for introducing tobacco to England.

At this time… 

Even though he hadn’t started a formal relationship with Yoko, he seems to be missing her. He relies on her letters and gets excited to read them. This may be an early indication that the Transcendental Meditation idea wasn’t working for him. 

He talks about needing to get some “peace of mind”. That is the reason they went to India in the first place. So what can you do when you can’t sleep? 

It is often caused by having something on your mind, as in John’s case. You can only try and rid your mind of any worries, but that is easier said than done. Anything out of a bottle is not a good way. A good song where he puts in a very good vocal performance.

5

Welcome To My Nightmare by Alice Cooper

Over the top? You could say that. Everything about Alice Cooper was designed to shock, from the makeup to the songs to the stage show. But, in reality, his on-stage alter ego was the antithesis of the man himself.

This was the first track from his first album of the same name. It was released in 1975 and reached #45 on the American chart.

Nightmares are something we all experience occasionally. But, for some people, they are regular occurrences. 

Not a nice experience at all…

This was a concept album about a boy called Steven. The album takes you on a journey through his nightmares. It peaked at #5 on the American album chart. You could say it was the album that launched his career. It became a tour and also a TV show now available on DVD.

I don’t know if the idea was to give everyone nightmares; if so, he went a long way to succeeding. A very good album that showed off a very good band, with the excellent Alice Cooper at the front.

6

Tossing And Turning by the Ivy League

Let’s go back to 1965 and this song which again is about not being able to get to sleep. I could go into a few details about this trio, but there isn’t the time or the space. 

They were three session singers and very good ones. You can hear them doing the backing vocals on The Who’s first single, “I Can’t Explain.”

Singers they were, but except for Perry Ford, musicians, they were not. So, they had to use a variety of people for the live shows. Tony Burrows joined as the original members began to leave. Burrows brought with him his favored musicians for recording and shows.

This song was their second hit… 

It did well in the UK reaching #3 but not so well in America where it only reached #83. It is a simple song co-written by Perry Ford and two others. I am sure we have all had this experience turning over and over in bed. Can’t get comfortable and can’t get to sleep.

They were not quite a one-hit wonder, and they continued working in various formats even into the 70s. They were often seen at nightclubs, especially in the North of England.

7

Wake up Little Susie by The Everly Brothers

This is an interesting song for several reasons, not the least of which is how it was received at the time. It came out in 1957 and reached #2 in the UK and #1 in America. So, it’s easy to see why it’s on this list of the best songs about sleep.

Banned!

However, not everyone saw it for what it was, a harmless early Rock n Roll, Rockabilly-type song. It was banned on Boston radio stations. They insisted the lyrics were too suggestive. 

I suppose we have to wonder about the mindset of those who banned it for reading ‘suggestive’ into it. Still, that is another discussion.

In A Cinema?

I can remember, even though I was very young, my older sister played this to death after she bought it. My mother would say how could you fall asleep in a cinema and just stay there. Of course, you couldn’t. 

No one had the answer at the time. But, the song was probably about a drive-in. We didn’t have those and didn’t know what they were. Plenty of typically great harmonies from the brothers and, to most people, an innocent enough song.

A great cover version was included by Simon and Garfunkel in their Concert in Central Park. They always cited The Everly Brothers as big influences on their vocal style.

8

Don’t Sleep in the Subway by Petula Clark

Petula Clark was a big name in the 60s, not only in the UK but also in Europe. She also had some success in America where this song reached #5. In the UK, it peaked at #12.

It was released in 1967 and was written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent. The song is about an argument that a man and a woman are having. She is saying to him if he storms out of the house, he is going to end up sleeping in the subway.

In this case, the word “subway” takes the American meaning of an underground railway station. This is rather than as a subway or underpass under a major road which would be the UK meaning.

9

The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Wimoweh) by The Tokens

This well-known song about sleeping was originally released in 1939 under the title of “Mbube” by Solomon Linda. It was taken from a traditional Zulu song. 

Since then, it has had dozens of covers. But, perhaps the best known is the 1961 version by The Tokens. Their version reached #11 in the UK and #1 in America.

It was also recorded by Karl Denver, who had a hit in the UK. It was later licensed for use in the film “The Lion King”. Not the greatest song talking about sleep ever written, but there is something infectious about the rhythm and the chanting.

10

Dream Lover by Bobby Darin

When we go to sleep we all dream. It’s just that quite often, we don’t remember what we dreamed about at all. In some cases, though, it can be about nice things portrayed here by Bobby Darin.

He had started his career as a songwriter for Connie Francis. He wrote and recorded “Dream Lover,” which was a huge hit for him and established him as a singer. It reached #1 in the UK and #2 in America. It featured Neil Sedaka on piano.

The song says that he wishes he could meet his “Dream Lover”; then, he won’t have to just dream about her.

11

I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing by Aerosmith

One of the great songwriters of the last thirty years has been Diane Warren. She has produced an extraordinary number of great songs that went on to become hit records. This is another one of those.

Aerosmith’s power ballad version came out in 1998 and was one of the songs used in the film “Armageddon.” The original idea was that it was going to be a radio-only song to market the film. However, popular demand forced its release as a single. It reached #4 in the UK and #1 in America. This gave the band their only American #1.

It is an interesting variation on sleeping. Here is someone that doesn’t want to sleep in case he misses his partner. He just wants the time together to go on a bit longer before sleep takes hold. A powerful performance by lead singer Steven Tyler whose daughter, Liv, was in the film.

12

I’m Only Sleeping by The Beatles

By the time the album, Revolver, had arrived in 1966, The Beatles were approaching their creative best. They had broken the “Pop” mold with Rubber Soul and started to record what they wanted. Revolver carried on and even improved on that trend.

“I’m Only Sleeping” was predominantly written by John and includes George’s “back-masked” guitar. The first time that had been recorded on a track.

John wrote the original lyric on a piece of notepaper talking about the joys of staying in bed. A friend of his once commented that he was the laziest person they had ever known. He can sleep anywhere, at any time, and does. An autobiographical song then.

13

Good Night by The Beatles

Staying with The Beatles, this was the final song included on The White Album. It has some strange and interesting facts attached to it. 

Firstly, only one Beatle contributed to the recording, Ringo, who sang it. And, it wasn’t written by Paul McCartney, which many assume because of the orchestra; John wrote it. The strings were written and arranged by Sir George Martin.

A lullaby…

John wrote it as a lullaby for his son, Julian, who was five years old at the time. An interesting comment came from a music journalist from a UK newspaper, The Independent. He commented that it was “mediocre” and “a song likely to put you to sleep.”

I think that was the idea, or did you miss that one? After the hectic aggression of “Revolution 9” that preceded it, it brought some welcome relief for the close of a masterful album.

14

Dreams by Fleetwood Mac

15

Insomnia by Faithless

16

In Dreams by Roy Orbison

17

Sleepwalking by Bring Me The Horizon

18

Enter Sandman by Metallica

19

Sandman by America

20

Lullaby by Brahms

21

Can’t Sleep Love by Pentatonix

22

Sleepyhead by Passion Pit

23

Dream On by Aerosmith

24

Insomniac by Enrique Iglesias

25

All I Have To Do Is Dream by The Everly Brothers

26

Counting Sheep by Safia

27

The Sound Of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel

28

No Sleep Till Brooklyn by Beastie Boys

29

Mr. Sandman by The Chordettes

30

Asleep by The Smiths

31

I Can’t Sleep by Clay Walker

32

Sleepwalker by Adam Lambert

33

The Sandman, the Brakeman and Me by Monsters of Folk

34

I’m Still Awake by Toby Keith

35

Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me by The Smiths

36

Sleep Is for Dreamers by The Matches

37

Dreaming by Blondie

38

Sleepless Nights by Norah Jones

39

The Sleep Song by Graham Nash

40

Insomniatic by Aly & AJ

41

My Little Dream Boat by Bing Crosby

42

I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead by Bon Jovi

43

Sleepwalking Past Hope by HIM

44

Dream Baby by Roy Orbison

45

I Will Follow You into the Dark by Death Cab for Cutie

46

Goodnight by Maroon 5

47

Bedtime Lullaby by Jewel

48

Insomniatic Meat by Chris Garneau

49

Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel) by Billy Joel

50

Dreaming My Dreams With You by Waylon Jennings

More 75 Best Songs About Sleep

51. 51. Dream on Dreamer by The Brand New Heavies
    52. You’re My Dream by The Temptations
    53. Sleep Is a Rose by Michael Franks
    54. Sandman’s Coming by America
    55. Nighty Night by Little Dragon
    56. Daydream by The Lovin’ Spoonful
    57. Sleep On It by Dan Seals
    58. Lullaby of Birdland by George Shearing
    59. Wide Awake by Katy Perry
    60. The Sleepless Goonight by The Magnetic Fields
    61. Sleeping by The Band
    62. Sleeping In My Car by Roxette
    63. Please Go to Sleep by Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton
    64. I Can’t Sleep by Clay Walker
    65. Can’t Sleep Love by Pentatonix
    66. Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics
    67. Beds Are Burning by Midnight Oil
    68. The Bed’s Too Big Without You by The Police
    69. I’m Sleeping In A Submarine by Arcade Fire
    70. Go to Sleep by Radiohead
    71. Sleepytime in the Western World by Blitzen Trapper
    72. In My Dreams by REO Speedwagon
    73. Can’t Sleep, Clowns Will Eat Me by Alice Cooper
    74. Sleep on the Floor by The Lumineers
    75. Dreams Tonite by Alvvays
    76. Nightswimming by R.E.M.
    77. I Go to Sleep by The Pretenders
    78. When You Sleep by My Bloody Valentine
    79. Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream) by Roy Orbison
    80. Wake Me Up When September Ends by Green Day
    81. You Can Sleep While I Drive by Melissa Etheridge
    82. Goodnight Moon by Shivaree
    83. Sleeping Satellite by Tasmin Archer
    84. Asleep on a Sunbeam by Belle & Sebastian
    85. Sleep the Clock Around by Belle & Sebastian
    86. Sleeping to Dream by Jason Mraz
    87. Rockabye by Clean Bandit ft. Sean Paul & Anne-Marie
    88. Sleep Alone by Two Door Cinema Club
    89. Asleep at the Wheel by Band of Skulls
    90. Another Sleep Song by Graham Nash
    91. Daydream Believer by The Monkees
    92. Rest Your Head by Bat for Lashes
    93. One More Sleep by Leona Lewis
    94. Don’t Wake Me Up by Chris Brown
    95. Sleepy Time Down South by Louis Armstrong
    96. A Good Night’s Sleep by The Kinks
    97. While You Were Sleeping by Elvis Perkins
    98. Don’t Sleep by Chromeo
    99. Dead to the World by Nightwish
    100. Dreaming of You by Selena
    101. Sleepin’ Alone by Cat Stevens
    102. Blue Skies for Everyone by Bob Schneider
    103. Sleeping Sun by Nightwish
    104. I Fall Asleep by The Magnetic Fields
    105. Beautiful Dreamer by Stephen Foster
    106. The Sandman’s Coming by Johnny Cash
    107. I’m Sleepy by The Monkees
    108. I’m Tired by Savoy Brown
    109. Goodnight, Sleep Tight by The Partridge Family
    110. Can’t Sleep by Vanic x K.Flay
    111. I Want to Sleep With You by Tom Waits
    112. Sleeps With Butterflies by Tori Amos
    113. Sweet Dreams (Of You) by Roy Orbison
    114. The Dreaming Kind by Sheryl Crow
    115. Goodnight My Love by Jesse Belvin
    116. I’m So Sleepy by Fats Domino
    117. Goodnight Irene by Lead Belly
    118. Sleepy Time Time by Cream
    119. I’m Sleepin’ In by The Rolling Stones
    120. Goodnight Sweetheart, Goodnight by The Spaniels
    121. Sleeping Bag by ZZ Top
    122. Don’t Sleep In The Subway by Petula Clark
    123. I’m Gonna Sleep with One Eye Open by Flatt and Scruggs
    124. Sleep’s Dark and Silent Gate by Jackson Browne
    125. Sleepytime by Tom Waits

Looking for More Great Music?

We can help with that. Take a look at our detailed articles on the Best Songs About Magic, the Best Songs About Dreams, the Best Songs About Clouds, the Best Songs About Change, and the Best Songs About Fire for more incredible song selections.

Best Songs About Sleep – Final Thoughts

Sleep is a natural part of our existence. We spend about one-third of our lives asleep. That isn’t time wasted as some seem to think. It is a time when our bodies recover from the exertions of the day. Miss a night’s sleep, and we will know all about it.

But, sleep is also about other things, as we have seen. Dreams, hopes, and wishes for the future. Where we can sometimes go to escape. But also a place where our worst nightmares are sometimes revealed. 

Sleep is a fascinating thing. Songwriters have found some great ways to portray it, as we have just found out.

Until next time, happy listening.