I’m Only Sleeping
Producer
[Verse 1: John Lennon, John Lennon, Paul McCartney & George Harrison]
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: John Lennon, John Lennon, Paul McCartney & George Harrison]
Please, don't wake me (Ooh-ooh)
No, don't shake me
Leave me where I am (Ooh, woo-ooh)
I'm only sleeping
[Verse 2: John Lennon, Paul McCartney & George Harrison, John Lennon]
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: John Lennon, John Lennon, Paul McCartney & George Harrison]
Please, don't spoil my day (Woo)
I'm miles away
And after all (Ooh, woo-ooh)
I'm only sleeping
[Bridge: John Lennon, Paul McCartney & George Harrison, John Lennon]
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: John Lennon, John Lennon, Paul McCartney & George Harrison]
Please, don't wake me (Ooh-ooh)
No, don't shake me
Leave me where I am (Ooh, woo-ooh)
I'm only sleeping
[Verse 2: John Lennon, Paul McCartney & George Harrison, John Lennon]
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: John Lennon, John Lennon, Paul McCartney & George Harrison]
Please, don't spoil my day (Woo)
I'm miles away
And after all (Ooh, woo-ooh)
I'm only sleeping
[Bridge: John Lennon, Paul McCartney & George Harrison, John Lennon]
Keeping an eye on the world going by my window
Taking my time
[Verse 3: John Lennon]
Lying there and staring at the ceiling
Waiting for a sleepy feeling
[Backwards Guitar Solo: George Harrison]
[Chorus: John Lennon, John Lennon, Paul McCartney & George Harrison]
Please, don't spoil my day (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
I'm miles away
And after all (Ooh, woo-ooh)
I'm only sleeping
[Interlude: Paul McCartney]
(*Yawns*)
[Bridge: John Lennon, Paul McCartney & George Harrison, John Lennon]
Keeping an eye on the world going by my window
Taking my time
[Verse 4: John Lennon, John Lennon, Paul McCartney & George Harrison]
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: John Lennon, John Lennon, Paul McCartney & George Harrison]
Please, don't wake me (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
No, don't shake me
Leave me where I am (Ooh, woo-ooh)
I'm only sleeping
Lying there and staring at the ceiling
Waiting for a sleepy feeling
[Backwards Guitar Solo: George Harrison]
[Chorus: John Lennon, John Lennon, Paul McCartney & George Harrison]
Please, don't spoil my day (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
I'm miles away
And after all (Ooh, woo-ooh)
I'm only sleeping
[Interlude: Paul McCartney]
(*Yawns*)
[Bridge: John Lennon, Paul McCartney & George Harrison, John Lennon]
Keeping an eye on the world going by my window
Taking my time
[Verse 4: John Lennon, John Lennon, Paul McCartney & George Harrison]
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: John Lennon, John Lennon, Paul McCartney & George Harrison]
Please, don't wake me (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
No, don't shake me
Leave me where I am (Ooh, woo-ooh)
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.
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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
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Credits
Producer
Writers
Video Animator
Vocals
Video Director
Engineer
Acoustic Guitar
Bass
Drums
Harmony Vocals
Recorded At
EMI Recording Studios, St. John's Wood, City of Westminster, Greater London, England, United Kingdom
Released on
August 5, 1966
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I’m Only Sleeping Remixes
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