Herbie Murray
The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite is a song by American alternative rock band R.E.M. released in 1992. The song's lyrics refer to a sidewinder, which is a species of rattlesnake (Crotalus cerastes), an antique style of telephone, an air pump, and the act of sleeping. The interpretation of the song is ambiguous, with various meanings attributed to it. While the song's complete title is not mentioned in the lyrics, it includes the lines the sidewinder sleeps in a coil and the sidewinder sleeps on its back. The song was influenced by The Lion Sleeps Tonight and includes references to phone calls and sleeping, creating a unique blend of imagery and wordplay.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song Title | "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite" |
| Artist | R.E.M. |
| Album | Automatic for the People |
| Year of Release | 1992 |
| Year Single Released | 1993 |
| Director of Music Video | Kevin Kerslake |
| Song's Influence | "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" |
| Song's Meaning | About someone with no place to stay, and the limitations of machines vs. man; the rest is ambiguous |
| Sidewinder Referents | A species of rattlesnake (Crotalus cerastes); an antique style of telephone; an air pump |
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What You'll Learn
The song's meaning is ambiguous
The meaning of "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite" by R.E.M. is ambiguous and has been interpreted in various ways. The song's title and lyrics, such as "the sidewinder sleeps in a coil" and "the sidewinder sleeps on its back," have prompted multiple interpretations.
One interpretation is that the song is about a person who doesn't have a permanent place to stay, as suggested by R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills. The lyrics about the sidewinder sleeping in different positions could be metaphorically describing someone's sleeping arrangements or their search for a place to stay. The song also refers to making and avoiding phone calls, with the sidewinder possibly representing an old-fashioned style of telephone with a winding handle or a long cord. The phone calls could be related to the theme of seeking shelter or trying to connect with someone who can offer a place to stay.
Another interpretation involves the sidewinder as a species of rattlesnake (Crotalus cerastes). The lyrics about the sidewinder sleeping in a coil could be a direct reference to the way snakes coil up when resting or sleeping. This interpretation adds a layer of danger or intrigue to the song, as sidewinder snakes are known for their venom, which can cause paralysis.
Adding to the ambiguity, some listeners have connected the song to the idea of dreaming and fantasy. R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe highlighted a line from the song, "their world has flat backgrounds and little need to sleep but to dream," suggesting a commentary on the nature of dreams and cartoonish fantasies. This interpretation opens up a more abstract and imaginative reading of the song, moving beyond the literal interpretations of sleeping arrangements or telephone calls.
Furthermore, the song's connection to "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" adds another layer of intrigue. Stipe playfully borrows from the earlier song, hanging "in a precariously high register and compressing the line 'Call me when you try to wake her' into something that sounds more like 'Calling Jamaica,' even stumbling into a giggle on the last chorus," as noted by David Stubbs from Melody Maker. This playful borrowing and the inclusion of giggles in the song suggest a lighthearted and whimsical tone, potentially influencing how listeners interpret the overall meaning.
While these interpretations offer possible directions, the song's meaning remains ambiguous, as acknowledged by the band members themselves. The mix of imagery, wordplay, and references to sleeping and telephones creates a dreamlike and elusive narrative that invites multiple interpretations, reflecting the enigmatic nature of dreams, memory, and communication.
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The sidewinder as a species of rattlesnake
The sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) is a species of rattlesnake. It is a venomous pit viper (subfamily Crotalinae) with small horns above each eye, which may serve to keep sand from covering the eyes when the snake is buried. Sidewinders are native to the deserts of North America, Africa, and the Middle East. They are found in the Southwestern United States, including southeastern California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah, and western Arizona. In Mexico, they inhabit western Sonora and eastern Baja California.
Sidewinders are known for their unique form of locomotion, called "sidewinding" or "side-stepping", which allows them to move rapidly across loose desert sands. This movement involves the snake's body forming a J-shaped impression in the sand, with the tip of the hook pointing in the direction of travel. Sidewinding is an adaptation that provides traction and allows sidewinders to ascend sandy slopes by increasing the portion of their body in contact with the sand. This form of locomotion is also used by other desert-dwelling snakes, such as the horned adder and Peringuey's adder.
Sidewinders are mostly nocturnal, especially during the hot months, and their activity period is roughly from November to March. They feed primarily on rodents and lizards, with a particular preference for kangaroo rats, whiptail lizards, and fringe-toed lizards. Sidewinders are venomous, but their venom is weaker than that of many other rattlesnakes, making them less dangerous. However, any rattlesnake bite can be serious and potentially fatal, so medical attention should be sought immediately.
Sidewinder juveniles exhibit a unique behavior called "caudal luring", where they use their tails to attract lizard prey. They mimic the fluttering of a moth with fast luring motions and resemble a caterpillar with their slower tail movements, both of which attract prey lizards. After giving birth, female sidewinders will stay with their young for a period of time, a behavior that is uncommon among snakes. Sidewinders typically give birth to 5-18 young in the fall, and their lifespan can reach up to 20 years or more.
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The sidewinder as an old-fashioned telephone
"The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite" is a song by the American alternative rock band R.E.M. The song's lyrics refer to a sidewinder, which is the name of an old-fashioned style of telephone with a winding handle on the side and a long cord that had to be wrapped around the phone to prevent tangling.
The song explains that the singer lives on a floor with a payphone at the end of the hall. The payphone is broken, so the singer cannot call out, and someone has to keep calling. This is referenced in the lyrics: "There isn't a number, you can call the payphone / Let it ring a long, long, long, long time / If I don't pick up, hang up, call back, let it ring some more." The line "Call me when you try to wake her up" also appears repeatedly throughout the song, further emphasising the theme of making and receiving phone calls.
The song's title and lyrics, such as "the sidewinder sleeps in a coil" and "the sidewinder sleeps on its back", can be interpreted as drawing a comparison between the coiled shape of the phone's cord and the sleeping position of the person trying to reach the singer on the phone. This interpretation is supported by R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills, who commented that the song is "about somebody that doesn't have a place to stay" and "about somebody trying to get in touch with someone who can sleep on his floor."
The sidewinder telephone, with its long cord, serves as a visual representation of the singer's attempts to connect with others and find a sense of belonging. The coiled cord, when slept on its back, resembles a sleeping person, reinforcing the theme of rest and the desire for human connection.
Additionally, the song's opening refrain and first four notes were influenced by "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", a song written by South African artist Solomon Linda and popularised by The Tokens in 1961. R.E.M. paid for the rights to use the melody and included a cover of the original version as the B-side to their single.
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The sidewinder as an air pump
The song "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite" by R.E.M. has lyrics that refer to a sidewinder sleeping in a coil and on its back. While a sidewinder is a species of rattlesnake known for its unique sidewinding movement, the term also refers to an antique style of telephone with a winding handle on the side. The song's lyrics suggest that the singer lives in a place with a payphone that may be broken, implying that they are awaiting a call.
Interpreting the song's meaning, R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills offered his perspective: "It's about somebody that doesn't have a place to stay... Part of it is also about what man can do that machines can't. The rest of it – I don't have any idea what it's about. Half of the song is about somebody trying to get in touch with someone who can sleep on his floor."
Considering the reference to the sidewinder as an air pump, this interpretation adds a layer of complexity to the song's meaning. An air pump, such as those used for inflatable mattresses, can be seen as a symbol of temporary accommodation or a lack of permanent residence. This interpretation aligns with Mills' suggestion that the song is about someone who "doesn't have a place to stay."
The air pump, in this context, could represent the singer's reliance on others for a place to sleep, reinforcing the theme of transience and the search for stability. Additionally, the act of pumping air into a mattress can be metaphorically linked to the effort and exhaustion associated with trying to find a place to stay or make a connection.
Furthermore, the image of a coiled sidewinder, or air pump, can symbolize the tension and anticipation of waiting for a phone call, a theme that resonates throughout the song. The coiled position suggests a sense of readiness and alertness, as if the sidewinder (or the personified air pump) is poised to spring into action at any moment, reflecting the singer's anticipation of a phone call that may never come.
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The song's relation to 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight'
"The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite" is a song by the American alternative rock band R.E.M. The song is influenced by "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" in its title and opening refrain. The song's title is not featured in the lyrics, but it includes the lines "the sidewinder sleeps in a coil" and "the sidewinder sleeps on its back".
A sidewinder is a species of rattlesnake (Crotalus cerastes) native to the deserts of North America, Africa, and the Middle East. It is also an antique style of telephone, with a winding handle on the side, and an air pump used for inflatable mattresses. The lyrics refer to making and avoiding phone calls, with the sidewinder referring to the coil of the payphone. The song is about someone who doesn't have a place to stay and is trying to get in touch with someone who can let them stay on their floor.
"The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is used as the B-side to "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite" in the US. The beginning of the song, especially the first four notes, bears a strong resemblance to "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". R.E.M. paid for the rights to use the song and, as part of the deal, were asked to do a cover of the original. The cover appears on the single "Sidewinder", released in February 1993.
David Stubbs from Melody Maker notes that R.E.M.'s lead singer, Michael Stipe, "playfully borrows" from "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", with the line "Call me when you try to wake her" sounding like "Calling Jamaica".
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Frequently asked questions
It is a song by American alternative rock band R.E.M.
The song's meaning is ambiguous, but it appears to involve wordplay. R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills said: "It's about somebody that doesn't have a place to stay. Part of it is also about what man can do that machines can't. The rest of it – I don't have any idea what it's about."
A sidewinder is a species of rattlesnake (Crotalus cerastes) native to the deserts of North America, Africa, and the Middle East. It is also an antique style of telephone with a winding handle on the side, and an air pump such as the one used for inflatable mattresses.
The song was influenced by "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", written by South African artist Solomon Linda in 1939 and popularised by The Tokens in 1961. The first four notes sung by R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe are very close to those of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".
These lyrics refer to the singer living on a floor with a payphone at the end of the hall. The payphone is broken, so someone has to keep calling.
