24 Best Songs About Not Sleeping And Insomnia 

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Written By John Red

Founder of Handsounds, avid music lover of all genres and tastes. 

Looking for the best songs about not sleeping? You’re in the right place. Without sleep, our physical and mental health may suffer. Sleep is a fundamental human requirement. Although getting a good night’s sleep is something that many of us value, occasionally we have trouble falling asleep. Stress, anxiety, or an overworked mind can all contribute to insomnia, which can be both annoying and draining.

Music, however, can provide relief and comfort during these tough times, just like many other things in life can. Some songs’ calming melodies and relaxing lyrics have a way of calming our brains and promoting relaxation. In fact, a tonne of songs specifically mention the hardship of having trouble falling asleep. These songs have the power to help us feel understood, less alone in our challenges, and seen.

We’ll delve deeply into the world of songs about not sleeping in this article. We’ll investigate the best music for those sleepless evenings, from independent indie ballads to classic rock songs.

Best Songs About Not Sleeping 

Sleep As a Priority

Did you have a good night’s sleep? You might have stayed up late and woken up early. Or perhaps you tossed and turned all through the night, restless. You’re in excellent company if either is true. More than one-third of Americans regularly receive less than seven hours of sleep, and the following issues could result from this:

  • Outbursts, irritation, low motivation, and poor communication.
  • Slower reaction times, higher risk-taking, and distractibility.
  • Weak judgment, memory, and understanding.

You can’t possibly need any more justifications for prioritizing a better night’s sleep, can you?

Appreciate the significance of drifting off to sleep and grieve the occasions when you can’t get any. Have a listen to this collection of country, pop, rock, and R&B songs for sleepless nights. Go ahead and get some rest because you deserve it.

24 Best Songs About Not Sleeping – Here are our recommendations!

24: I’m So Tired – The Beatles

The themes of exhaustion and sleep recur frequently throughout The Beatles’ album Revolver. Among his pals, John Lennon had a reputation for being quite close to his bed. When the band was on a meditation retreat in India, Lennon was unable to fall asleep despite spending the entire day in meditation and appearing to be in a relaxed condition.

Lennon travelled to the retreat with his then-wife, but Yoko Ono, who would later become his partner, had been forging a close friendship with him. The song’s opening lyric, “I’m so tired,” is repeated throughout the entire first verse, and the chorus pays homage to Ono by stating that if he could contact her, it would bring him the peace of mind he was lacking and let him fall asleep.

23: Sleepyhead – Passion Pit

Passion Pit was created in an unusual manner because it was initially intended as a gift for lead singer Michael Angelakos’ fiancée. “It was more of like a guilt project. I’m so bad at being timely with anything… to sum it up, Passion Pit was never meant to be anything more than that, a little present” he said in an interview with The Fader.

The lyrics in the song Sleepyhead, which are darker and accompanied by trippy instrumentals, seem to be about grief-related insomnia. He imagines what it would be like if they were still there, saying, “You were one inch from the head of this bed, I dragged you back, sleepyhead,” evoking the denial that comes with loss.

22: Nights – Frank Ocean

Nights by Frank Ocean is a song in three parts that covers the most frequent insomnia ideas, starting with self-reflection.

In this song, he expresses his feelings about how others—people he doesn’t even know if he wants to please—have such high expectations of him. All he knows is that he needs more money to achieve his objectives so that he may leave behind others who don’t get him.

When he finishes reflecting on himself, the song changes to a ballad and the person he is speaking to is no longer himself but someone else. He discusses his intense feelings for someone and the paradox that your body feels exhausted but your mind is racing a thousand miles per hour.

21: I Can’t Sleep – Poorstacy ft. Iann Dior

This pop-punk-meets-rap song is about a man who feels broken and kept up at night by an unfulfilling relationship but doesn’t want to leave. He no longer believes any of their claims since he can see through their pretence, yet if everything in the relationship were flawless, he might be sleeping better. Yet occasionally, wishing for a new world is simpler than accepting reality as it is. It is a song drought with dilemma.

“I don’t know how long I’ll live, and you always take more than you give, I can’t sleep,” he says, wondering if the person he’s speaking to regrets harming him or even realises the harm they’re causing.

He is fully aware of the negative effects the person who makes him feel like this has on him. It’s challenging to deal with the uncomfortable sensation of safety near someone who has injured you, mentally or physically.

20: Talking In Your Sleep – The Romantics

Speaking while asleep is common for those who suffer from insomnia. This may indicate that they are having problems falling asleep, which is frustrating for people nearby. The Romantics’ song “Talking in Your Sleep” nicely expresses this sentiment. The singer is described in the song’s lyrics as having trouble falling asleep and chattering non stop as he sleeps. This is the ideal music to listen to if you want something catchy and sympathetic.

19: Where Did You Sleep Last Night – Nirvana

The American rock band Nirvana has a song titled ‘Where Did You Sleep Last Night’ It is the eleventh and last song on the band’s self-titled debut album. Kurt Cobain, the band’s leader, wrote the song, which is about a homeless man he observed on the streets of Seattle. Although some people think the song is about Cobain’s own struggles with insomnia, it is actually about a man named Dave who is homeless.

18: Lights – Ellie Goulding

Ellie Goulding’s song “Lights” explores the emotion of being unable to fall asleep. Goulding sings about attempting to fall asleep but being kept awake by the darkness in the song. Afterwards, in an effort to finally get some rest, she asks for the “lights” to turn on. The feeling of being unable to sleep despite a pressing need to do so is eloquently captured in this song. This song expresses the experience of some insomniacs who feel that keeping the lights on while they sleep aids in slumber.

17: Mr Sandman – The Chordettes

The song Mr. Sandman was written by Pat Ballard and first performed by The Chordettes in 1954. The song is about a make-believe figure named “Mr. Sandman,” who gives people dreams as they sleep. When it debuted at the top of the Billboard charts in 1955, the song was a big commercial triumph. Over the years, many musicians have covered it, including the Beach Boys, Emmylou Harris, R.E.M., and even Metallica. One of the most recognisable songs from the 1950s, Mr. Sandman is still quite popular today.

16: Go To Sleep – Radiohead

As the fourth and last single from their 2000 album “Kid A,” Radiohead’s song “Go to Sleep” was made available. An individual having trouble falling asleep is the subject of the song. Lead singer of Radiohead Thom Yorke has remarked that the song is about “someone who’s had a hard day and just wants to go to bed, but their mind is racing and they can’t.” The lyrics are spoken rather than sung, and the song’s structure is centred around a repeated piano theme.

15: Brain Stew – Green Day

Green Day’s song Brain Stew is about a person who has trouble sleeping. The song uses analogies for insomnia and nighttime to convey the frustration and desperation of someone who can’t sleep. This song will resonate deeply with you if you suffer from sleeplessness. This song is ideal for when you’re attempting to go to sleep but finding it difficult because it has a catchy beat and is likely to become stuck in your head.

14: Fireflies – Owl City

The Owl City song “Fireflies” has a certain quality that just resonates to the feeling of insomnia. The song’s lyrics lament the singer’s inability to sleep and the numerous fireflies that keep him up. The song is stunningly eerie and wonderfully expresses the sense of being unable to fall asleep. The song’s lyrics describe the singer’s inability to sleep and how the fireflies around him keep him awake. The song is stunningly eerie and wonderfully expresses the sense of being unable to fall asleep.

13: Lullaby – Billy Joel

The eerie ballad “Lullaby” by Billy Joel is about a man who has trouble sleeping. The man’s lover, who is attempting to console him and put him to sleep, is depicted in the song from his point of view. The melody is tranquil and comforting, and the words are lovely and expressive. This song will resonate with you if you struggle with sleeplessness. If you’re one of those people who finds that listening to music helps you sleep, this song is an excellent option.

12: Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go- Wham

Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham! is the ideal tune for you if you have trouble sleeping. The song’s high speed will keep you awake, and the lyrics perfectly depict the sense of being unable to fall asleep. The song’s lyrics describe a person who struggles to stay awake in order to view the sunrise but eventually nods off. Since its 1984 release, the song’s popularity has only increased. This song has long been a go-to for people with insomnia, and it will definitely get you through the night.

11: Insomnia – Craig David

British vocalist Craig David became well-known in the early 2000s. He is well-known for his R&B-influenced music and soulful vocals. His debut album, Born to Do It, which included the popular song “7 Days,” was released in 2001. “Insomnia,” one of Craig David’s most well-known tracks, was made available as a single in 2002. The lyrics of the song are about how tough it is to try to sleep when you have insomnia. The song’s lyrics discuss how difficult it is to stop thinking and how your mind constantly runs.

10: Sleep – My Chemical Romance

For those who fight with it on a daily basis, insomnia may be quite difficult. As you toss and turn all night, it’s difficult to get your mind to unwind and relax. You need look no further than My Chemical Romance’s “Sleep” if you’re looking for music that captures the sense of being unable to fall asleep. This eerie ballad perfectly expresses the feeling of being imprisoned inside one’s own thoughts and the desperation for even a few hours of sleep.

9: Tossing And Turning – Bobby Lewis

The mournful ballad Tossing and Turning is about the difficulties of insomnia. Bobby Lewis composed the song, which was first made public in 1961. It was one of the first soul songs to top the charts and became a smash.

The emotion of laying in bed and trying vainly to sleep but failing to do so is eloquently captured in the song’s lyrics. Over the years, several performers have covered the song, including Otis Redding and Al Green.

8: How Do You Sleep – Sam Smith

“How Do You Sleep?” is a song by English vocalist Sam Smith and Norwegian record producer and songwriter Stargate. The track, the second single from Smith’s third studio album Love Goes (2020), was made available on July 19, 2019. The song uses a sample of the song “Freedun” by American producer Diplo and English vocalist M.I.A. An hymn about breaking up, “How Do You Sleep?” combines dancehall and tropical house sounds. The lyrics to the song talk about being hurt by an ex-lover. Music critics gave the song favourable reviews, praising its tropical sound and referring to it as a “bop” in some cases. “How Do You Sleep?” made its commercial debut at number two on the UK Single chart.

7: Blinding Lights – The Weeknd

Insomnia and its challenges are discussed in The Weeknd’s song Blinding Lights. The lyrics are reflective and describe the experience of being unable to go asleep, while wanting to. The song is a potent representation of what it’s like to live with insomnia and serves as a metaphor for how the vocalist feels when they’re awake. While some people only have brief episodes of sleeplessness, others struggle with it for years. Blinding Lights is the only song you need to listen to if you want songs that truly capture the sense of being unable to fall asleep.

6: You Can Sleep While I Drive – Melissa Etheridge

Melissa Etheridge has a song called You Can Sleep While I Drive. The track was made available as the album’s lead single in 2006. William Bottrell and Etheridge wrote the song. The song’s lyrics are about a person with insomnia who struggles to sleep at night. Etheridge’s own experience with the illness served as the inspiration for the song. The song’s lyrics discuss how unpleasant and stressful it can be to have trouble falling asleep. The song’s uplifting speed and positive message make it the ideal choice for anybody looking for songs about insomnia that will aid in falling asleep.

5: Don’t Wake Me – Skillet

The Skillet song “Don’t Wake Me” captures the sense of being unable to fall asleep somehow in its lyrics. The song is about a person who is battling sleeplessness and is in need of some peaceful time. The lyrics are wonderful and eerie, and they perfectly express what it feels like to be a prisoner of one’s own thoughts. I hope this music can do the same for you as it has done for me over many restless nights.

4: I Didn’t Get To Sleep At All – 5th Dimension

The 5th Dimension issued “I Didn’t Go to Sleep at All” as a single in 1972. Bones Howe produced the song, which was penned by Wally Gold. In the song, a man tries to go to sleep but is unable to do so because he can’t stop thinking about the woman he loves. The man is exhausted and just wants to fall asleep, but he simply cannot. The song is a ballad, and it is sung slowly and with feeling. Anybody who has ever been in love can relate to the words, which are supposed to be taken as the man’s innermost feelings.

3: I Can’t Sleep – Clay Walker

The eerie ballad “I Can’t Sleep” by Clay Walker explores the difficulties of sleeplessness. The feeling of being awake when everyone else is sleeping and the loneliness that comes with it are both themes in the song. This music is for you if insomnia is a problem for you. Insomnia can make you feel like you’re the only person awake in the world, and that can be a terribly lonely experience, according to the song’s lyrics. This song has a mellow, country vibe, and anyone who has ever experienced sleeplessness will be able to relate to its lyrics.

2: The Lion Sleeps Tonight – The Tokens

The song The Lion Sleeps Tonight was first released in 1961 by the Tokens. Hugo Peretti and George David Weiss wrote the song. The song tells the story of a lion who can’t sleep because he worries about his family. The song’s lyrics speak to the value of family and the need for them to keep together. Although it’s never been proven, some people believe that the song is about a man who can’t sleep because he’s worried about his family.

1: I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing – Aerosmith

The American rock group Aerosmith has a song called ‘I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing’. It was made available in 1998 as the album’s lead single for the Armageddon movie. Richie Supa and Diane Warren collaborated on the song’s production. Steven Tyler sings the lead vocals on the power ballad, and Joe Perry plays the guitar. A financial success, the song peaked at number one in the US, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. It continues to be one of Aerosmith’s most well-known songs, and many musicians have covered it. The song received the Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal Grammy Award in 1999.

Best Songs About Not Sleeping – Final thoughts

The problem of insomnia can be incredibly aggravating and painful at times. But the songs on this list show that you’re not alone.

You can feel comfortable knowing that others understand your suffering because there are so many songs about sleeplessness and songs about sleep and being tired. Hopefully a number of the songs on this list are brand-new to you, and you can add them to your “Can’t Sleep” playlist when you visit Spotify at three in the morning to try to get to sleep.

Closing remarks:

We hope you have enjoyed this article regarding the best songs about not sleeping. On those sleepless nights you can refer back to this for something to listen to that expresses your sentiment (probably somewhat fed up and impatient due to lack of sleep). Alternatively, use this list as a platform to explore other songs in the niche genre of insomnia.

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