Miya Pearson
'Who Needs Sleep' is a song by the Barenaked Ladies. The song is about insomnia and the singer's inability to sleep. The lyrics describe the singer's thoughts and experiences while trying to fall asleep, including counting sheep and heartbeats. The song also mentions the pleasure of insomnia and the fact that the singer is never gonna get sleep. The chords for the song are G+G, C major, D Major, E minor, and A minor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song | Who Needs Sleep? |
| Artist | Barenaked Ladies |
| Chords | G+G, C majorC, D MajorD, E minorEm, A minorAm, F |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The Barenaked Ladies song 'Who Needs Sleep'
The song is in the key of G, and the chords used are G, C, D, Em, Am, and F. The chord progression repeats throughout the song, with slight variations in the lyrics and melody.
The chorus of the song is particularly catchy, with the line "Who needs sleep? Well, you're never gonna get it" being repeated several times. This line is followed by the question "Who needs sleep? Tell me, what's that for?", which emphasises the narrator's frustration with their inability to sleep.
The song also includes a bridge or middle section, where the lyrics change to "So much joy in life and so many pleasures all around/But the pleasure of insomnia is one I'd never found". This section highlights the narrator's awareness that they're missing out on the joys of life because of their insomnia.
Overall, 'Who Needs Sleep' is a fun and upbeat song that many people can relate to, whether they're struggling with insomnia or just feeling a bit sleep-deprived.
The Importance of REM Sleep: How Much is Enough?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$17.87
The chords to the song
The Barenaked Ladies' song 'Who Needs Sleep' has the following chords: G+G, C majorC, D MajorD, E minorEm, A minorAm, and F.
The song's chorus goes:
> Lids down, I count sheep, I count heartbeats. The only thing that counts is that I won't sleep. I countdown, I look around. Who needs sleep? Well, you're never gonna get it. Who needs sleep? Tell me what's that for? Who needs sleep? You have to live with what you're getting.
The song continues with the following verse:
> There's a guy's been awake since the second World War. So much joy in life, so many pleasures all around. But the pleasure of insomnia is one I've never found. With all life has to offer, there's so much to be enjoyed. But the pleasures of insomnia are ones I can't avoid.
The song then returns to the chorus, with a slight variation in the lyrics:
> Who needs sleep? Well, you're never gonna get it. Who needs sleep? Tell me what's that for? Who needs sleep? You're happy with what you get.
The bridge of the song offers a different perspective on insomnia:
> I just get tangled in the sheets. I swim in sweat three inches deep. Just lay back and claim defeat. Chapter read and lesson learned. Turn the lights off while she burns. So while she's 300 degrees, I throw the sheets off and I freeze.
The song then returns to the chorus, emphasising the frustration and exhaustion of insomnia.
Deep Sleep: How Much Do We Really Need?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The lyrics to the song
The Barenaked Ladies song *Who Needs Sleep?* is about insomnia. The lyrics begin with the singer laying down to sleep, but instead of sleeping, they "just get tangled in the sheets" and "swim in sweat three inches deep". The chorus asks, "Who needs sleep? / Well, you're never gonna get it / Who needs sleep? / Tell me, what's that for?" The bridge acknowledges that "there's so much joy in life, so many pleasures all around", but the singer can't enjoy them because they're an insomniac. The pre-chorus finds the singer counting sheep and heartbeats, and the chorus repeats.
Sleep Needs: Women's Optimal Hours of Rest
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The meaning of the song
The song 'Who Needs Sleep' by Barenaked Ladies is about insomnia. The narrator of the song is unable to sleep and is frustrated by this, asking 'who needs sleep?'. They describe the physical and mental discomforts of insomnia, such as 'my hands are locked up tight in fists/My mind is racing, filled with lists/of things to do and things I've done'. They also mention the irony of insomnia, that 'with all life has to offer, there's so much to be enjoyed/but the pleasures of insomnia are ones I can't avoid'. The song's bridge acknowledges that there are 'so many joys in life, so many pleasures all around', but that the narrator is unable to appreciate them due to their insomnia.
The Science Behind Eating and Sleeping
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Other songs about insomnia
The Barenaked Ladies song 'Who Needs Sleep' includes the following chords: G+G, C majorC, D MajorD, E minorEm, and A minorAm. The song explores the narrator's insomnia, with lyrics such as "My hands are locked up tight in fists / My mind is racing, filled with lists of things to do and things I've done / Another sleepless night's begun".
- "Sleepyhead" by Passion Pit (2008) – an energetic, whimsical take on insomnia, inspired by Angelakos' own experiences with sleeplessness during college.
- "Talking to the Moon" by Bruno Mars (2010) – a melancholic, heartfelt song about loneliness and longing during sleepless nights, based on Mars' personal experiences of heartache.
- "Insomnia" by Faithless (1995) – an iconic electronic track with hypnotic beats and haunting lyrics, penned by Maxi Jazz about his own struggles with insomnia.
- "Sleepless" by Flume (2012) – another electronic exploration of insomnia, this time focusing on the restless energy of sleeplessness.
- "I'm Only Sleeping" by The Beatles (1966) – a classic capturing the feeling of wanting to stay in bed, written by John Lennon as an escape from the pressures of fame.
- "No Sleep Tonight" by The Faders (2005) – a pop-rock anthem about the excitement and chaos of staying awake all night, with a catchy melody and spirited lyrics.
- "I Can't Sleep" by Clay Walker (2004) – a heartfelt country ballad about the loneliness of insomnia, written during a difficult period in Walker's life.
Sleep Study Referrals: Do You Need a Doctor's Note?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
G+G, C majorC, D MajorD, E minorEm, A minorAm, F.
Barenaked Ladies.
'Who needs sleep? Well, you're never gonna get it. Who needs sleep? Tell me, what's that for? Who needs sleep? You're happy with what you get and there's a guy that's been awake since the 2nd World War'.
'Lids down, I count sheep, I count heartbeats. The only thing that counts is that I won't sleep. I countdown, I look around. Who needs sleep? Well, you're never gonna get it'.
