[Verse 1]
When I wake up early in the morning
Lift my head, I'm still yawning
When I'm in the middle of a dream
Stay in bed, float up stream (Float up stream)
[Chorus 1]
Please, don't wake me, no, don't shake me
Leave me where I am, I'm only sleeping
[Verse 2]
Everybody seems to think I'm lazy
I don't mind, I think they're crazy
Running everywhere at such a speed
'Till they find there's no need (There's no need)
[Chorus 2]
Please, don't spoil my day, I'm miles away (Uuuuh)
And after all, I'm only sleeping
[Break]
[Bridge]
Keeping an eye on the world going by my window
Taking my time
When I wake up early in the morning
Lift my head, I'm still yawning
When I'm in the middle of a dream
Stay in bed, float up stream (Float up stream)
[Chorus 1]
Please, don't wake me, no, don't shake me
Leave me where I am, I'm only sleeping
[Verse 2]
Everybody seems to think I'm lazy
I don't mind, I think they're crazy
Running everywhere at such a speed
'Till they find there's no need (There's no need)
[Chorus 2]
Please, don't spoil my day, I'm miles away (Uuuuh)
And after all, I'm only sleeping
[Break]
[Bridge]
Keeping an eye on the world going by my window
Taking my time
[Verse 3]
Lying there and staring at the ceiling
Waiting for a sleepy feeling
[Backwards Guitar Solo: George Harrison]
[Chorus 2]
Please, don't spoil my day, I'm miles away
And after all, I'm only sleeping
[Break: John Lennon, Paul McCartney]
Yawn, Paul!
*Yawns*
[Bridge]
Keeping an eye on the world going by my window
Taking my time
[Verse 4]
When I wake up early in the morning
Lift my head, I'm still yawning
When I'm in the middle of a dream
Stay in bed, float up stream (Float up stream)
[Chorus 1]
Please, don't wake me, no, don't shake me (Uuuh, uuuuh)
Leave me where I am, I'm only sleeping
Lying there and staring at the ceiling
Waiting for a sleepy feeling
[Backwards Guitar Solo: George Harrison]
[Chorus 2]
Please, don't spoil my day, I'm miles away
And after all, I'm only sleeping
[Break: John Lennon, Paul McCartney]
Yawn, Paul!
*Yawns*
[Bridge]
Keeping an eye on the world going by my window
Taking my time
[Verse 4]
When I wake up early in the morning
Lift my head, I'm still yawning
When I'm in the middle of a dream
Stay in bed, float up stream (Float up stream)
[Chorus 1]
Please, don't wake me, no, don't shake me (Uuuh, uuuuh)
Leave me where I am, I'm only sleeping
About
Genius Annotation
“I’m Only Sleeping” is the third track of 1966’s Revolver, an album that ended up being a turning point in The Beatles' career as they moved on from love songs to more experimental and raw song writing. In this one, John Lennon expresses his laziness and fondness for a little more sleep.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
Translations
Genius Answer
What did The Beatles say about "I'm Only Sleeping"?
Genius Answer
It’s got backwards guitars… that’s me dreaming my life away.
— John Lennon, 1980
It was a nice idea– ‘There’s nothing wrong with it. I’m not being lazy, I’m only sleeping, I’m yawning, I’m meditating, I’m having a lay-in.’ The luxury of all that was what it was all about. The song was co-written but from John’s original idea.
— Paul McCartney, Many Years from Now
- 1.Drive My Car
- 2.I’m Only Sleeping
- 3.Nowhere Man
- 5.Yesterday
- 10.What Goes On
- 11.Day Tripper
Credits
Produced By
Written By
Video Animator
Vocals
Video Director
Backwards Lead Guitar
Engineer
Acoustic Guitar
Bass
Drums
Harmony Vocals
Recorded At
Abbey Road Studios
Release Date
August 5, 1966
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I’m Only Sleeping Covers
I'm Only Sleeping by Go Fret, I'm Only Sleeping by George Martin, I’m Only Sleeping by R. Stevie Moore, I'm Only Sleeping by Suggs, I'm Only Sleeping by Lobo, Solo Estoy Durmiendo by Ronieco Ono Band, I'm Only Sleeping by Rockabye Baby!, I'm Only Sleeping by The Vines, I'm Only Sleeping by Stereophonics (Ft. Noel Gallagher) & I'm Only Sleeping by The Lettermen
I’m Only Sleeping Remixes
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