Posted on by falala

Insomnia

Jodi & I circa 1997, at Wetlands in Tribecca, about the time I wrote Insomnia. Jodi was no longer in the band when we recorded it years later. However, I chose this pic because it harks back to a time of innocence, when I had unbounded natural energy. R.I.P. old friend.

I wrote this song over 20 years ago. Strange revisiting old recordings. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but a song captured in time can say so much more. 

Essentially, I am reminded how much energy I had when I was in my late 20’s. Manic, perhaps. And though it’s a natural tendency to feel nostalgic for the past, I remember that I never relaxed. Ask me about a TV show back in the late 90’s, or a movie and you will notice the gaping hole in my pop culture knowledge. Simply put, I could not sit still on a couch or in a movie theater for more than a few seconds. Still, I miss that young woman’s burning kinetic energy.

I love this recording, and vaguely remember laying the tracks years after it was written at 7th Heaven Studios. At first listen, aside from loving how well we played this as a band, it’s ticklish to hear Katy’s playful angelic vocals sing the dark lyrics, “I will be dead. I – I – will be dead.”

Insomnia Lyrics

I can’t sleep at night because insomnia crawls into my bed

kicks me in the abdomen and swims around inside my head

it’s 4 am, the birds are quiet, scant is there a natural light

I leave my bed and room and go outside to join the night

I have insomia, and I’m cured, cuz I know one day, I’ll sleep forever more,

I let insomnia crawl in my bed cuz I know one day I will be dead

It’s been 40 blocks since I surrendered to this manic lure,

it delivered me unto a brightly lit convenience store.

I can’t believe! There’s more like me! These late night, wide eyed shopping freaks. They browse, they stare, they buy coffee, they spend their lives on lottery.

If i ask I’m sure i’ll find a party every night this week. There’s a carnival in town and 10 great sitcoms on tv.

Museums! Movies! Skiing! Swimming! I can see and do it all.

I’ve still got to work and eat and there’s no time to stall.

Chorus.

Katy: I will be dead. I- I will be dead  2x

Footstep noises bounce off the houses on this drive.

They’re all sleeping. I’m awake and I’m alive.

Footstep noises they’ll all think their dreams contrived.

They’re all sleeping. I’m awake and I’m alive.

Last Chorus variation:

Oh insomnia has taken me…I put a pillow where my lump used to be…and I forgot the last chorus