| ←Can't Keep | Sleeping By Myself | Without You→ |
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| ←Let The Records Play | Sleeping By Myself | Yellow Moon→ |
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"Sleeping By Myself" is a song by Eddie Vedder that first appeared as second song on his solo album, Ukulele Songs. From the album, the song became one of the favorites from the album among the fans, and in 2013 was played with another version, with the whole Pearl Jam for their tenth album, Lightning Bolt.
Analysis[]
Quite a simple and light song, Sleeping By Myself is the lamentation of someone in face of the deception and betrayal in a relationship and the consequences of leaving it. Admitting that within the mind there was suspicion of this treason, the protagonist regrets not knowing there was someone else. Now that nothing else matters, there's nothing to believe, and the main character decides to leave the partner, lamenting that will be sleeping alone that night.
There was nowhere to go, nor another person, implying how much this protagonist has invested on this relationship. Relatively numb, the wounds doesn't show at the time, probaly later, and the only feeling is the pain that was left from the deception. This pain is so deep that there is the impression of being someone sad and lonely forever, marked forever in life, and waiting for a sign, the protagonist wonders if this wait is in vain.
Now in a more realistic situation, the main character sings that believe in both love and disaster, and sometimes one is the birth of another, being the same, and if what's left of this person want to survive, now it is time for freedom, so the option is to sleep by himself/herself that night.
Versions[]
Ukulele Songs[]
Ukulele Songs (2011)
Following the main theme of the album, this song was the second one of the album, solely sung by Eddie with his ukulele. The album was released in May 31, 2011 and a video of the development of the instrument was used in the official music video. In the end, Eddie appears and takes the ukulele, and goes playing while walking away.
Sleeping By Myself (2013)
Lightning Bolt[]
About two years later, Pearl Jam added to their new album setlist a version of this song. Now with an intro with guitar and drums, Eddie sings the same lyrics, also with backing vocals and a short part of himself playing the ukulele. The song is the tenth one of the album.
Music & Lyrics[]
I should have known there was someone else
Down below I always kept it to myself
Now I believe in nothing
Not today as I move myself out of your sight
I'll be sleeping by myself tonight
I could never go to no one else
The hurt don't show but who knows, time will tell
I believe in nothing
But the pain that I can't see this turning out right
Oh I'll be sleeping by myself tonight
Forever be sad and lonely
Forever never be the same
Well I close my eyes and wait for a sign
Am I just waiting in vain?
Wooah I believe in love and disaster
Sometimes the two are just the same
I'm beginning to see what's left of me
Is gonna have to be free to survive
And I'll be sleeping by myself
I'll be sleeping by myself
I'll be sleeping by myself tonight