Elvis Perkins - While You were Sleeping

[@shinesadie]

My dad took his life last year. I was four when this came out, and the album danced its way throughout my childhood thanks to him. I think listening to this song was the first time I ever experienced and remembered beauty, along with the melancholic depth that can come with it. Now I hear both my nostalgia and now grief, which makes my heart break in the most beautiful way.

[@aleesiauh]

🫂

[@reddwing4368]

Don t be sad for Elvis Cause while you were sleeping He sang the songs His mother and father Grew making all Their dreams come true The end of life is supposed to be a Celebration of grace Not pitys consternation So Know your place Or It ll haunt you too And give no fucks When Our Elvis plays It's his birthright Accepted if not Earned and learned For them He s now our boy And I m so sure He still feels just like a son Cause In the end My Little Honey Bee anybody who's anybody Has that same dream Even me

[@hashpipeblueball]

Haunting and magical. This song stops the world around me and fills me with both sadness and joy. A perfect song.

[@jesusvaldovinos8950]

This song gets me hard especially since the lyrics remind me of my wife’s battle with depression when he says “while you were sleeping” and says all this stuff that’s happened while the person was “sleeping” it just reminds me of all the stuff she’s missed out on because of depression, towards the end “well thank god your up now let’s stay this way else there’ll be no more morning and no more days” is how I feel when she’s able to snap out of it, depressions a killer if you/your s/o is going through it don’t give up

[@MarcusConstantine_Cavalida21]

May those who sleep stay up then. I wish you all the best.

[@JescoWhiteLightning]

@Jesus Valdovinos I'm one of those who "sleeps". I had to quit my job 2 1/2 years ago when I had a breakdown. Your sensitivity just made me cry. It was so touching. I wish my boyfriend of 15+ years were more like you rather than telling me to get over it because I'm 50 years old soon. Gee, if it were that simple. None of my therapists or psychiatrists or any doctor has ever mentioned that as an option. Only my mother, older brother and him. We sleepers aren't easy to be with; we know. But it's so much worse in our heads than what the experience of being with us could ever be. So, folks...listen to how sensitive this fellow is and maybe next time you get frustrated with us be gentle and remember...an invisible illness is no less an illness. You take cancer and diabetes seriously, don't you? I awoke today for a short while. I hope the same for tomorrow. Thank you for sharing your comment.

[@JescoWhiteLightning]

@@MarcusConstantine_Cavalida21 💓🙏🏻

[@Muirmaiden]

Those poor boys! They lost their father to AIDS and they lost their mother to a terrorist attack. Brilliant, Oz and Elvis! I wish you both all the best.

[@321okaygo8]

Wow. I knew about the mother, but not the father. This song is still on my playlist. Timeless.

[@dakotajensen181]

@@321okaygo8 I had the opposite, I knew Anthony died from AIDS but never knew the mother was on flight 11, so so sad, poor family couldn't catch a break.

[@deltajin]

i love this song.i met him in scotland at a record shop and he invited me to his show, it was amazing. willy mason also played.

[@capoeirastronaut]

"I wanna be cooler than TV For all the kids that are wondering what they're going to be We can be stronger than bombs If you're singing along and you know that you really believe We can be richer than industry As long as we know that there's things that we don't really need We can speak louder than ignorance Cause we speak in silence every time our eyes meet"

[@dts7824]

I think I must have caught them on the same tour, I'm sure it was 2007. I saw them both in Leicester

[@wildsprig]

Something about this song that makes me emotional; reminds me of my baby boy growing up before my eyes.

[@ISayNukem]

Beautiful comment. 🙂

[@JarredChaisson]

Is good song

[@acbenepe]

My babies will turn 24 next month. The opening line of this work of art always gets me misty.

[@jakewick2678]

Pure gold, heard this back in 2012 and listened to it many a time, and came back to it...

[@damseldoe]

While you were sleeping your babies grew The stars shined and the shadows moved Time flew the phone rang There was a silence when the kitchen sang Its songs competed like kids for space We stared for hours in our maker?s face They gave us picks said "go mine the sun And go gold and come back when you're done" Uh oh While you were sleeping you tossed you turned You rolled your eyes as the world burned The heavens fell the earth quaked I thought you must be but you weren't awake, no You were dreaming you ignored the sun You grew your power garden for your little ones And you found brides for them on Christmas Eve They hung young Cain from the Adam trees And danced uh oh While you were sleeping I tossed and I turned too I closed my eyes but the future burned through The planet turned a hair grey as I relived the day While you were sleeping the time changed All your things were rearranged Your vampire mirrors face to face They saw forever out into space Did you have that strangest dream before you woke 'Cause in your gown you had the butterfly stroke Did it escape you like some half-told joke When you reached for your plume of smoke And it'll haunt you my honey bee Anyone who's anyone has that same dream Were you falling were you flying and were you calling Out or were you dying But thank god you're up now let's stay this way Else there'll be no mornings and no more days 'Cause when we?re dreaming the babies grow The stars shine and the shadows flow Time flies the phone rings there is a silence When everybody tries to sing Uh oh uh oh

[@jakesauce9473]

always upvote lyrics, be friends to humantiy

[@capoeirastronaut]

Such great writing

[@whatplacidsky]

every time i listen to this song some new beauty in it is revealed to me. these lyrics haunt me: time flew, the phone rang there was a silence when the kitchen sang its songs competed like kids for space we stared for hours in our maker's face how endlessly beautiful also, to address the NMH discussion, I'm glad somebody else heard it.

[@kateevans2976]

This song is so special to me.

[@aielaiel]

"and i'd probably take it back if pushed on it, but this is a beautiful song" best flowing comment ive ever seen in this god forsaken internet

[@vintagegoldenage]

haha, 11 years ago!

[@TheSKeB]

I love it, and I wish that people would stop referring him to other musicians. Listen everyone!!!! You don't have to compare him to others, he is Elvis Perkins, and he is himself, and it just sounds great. I can't stand music with boundaries, like, oh, this guy sounds like that guy, so lets say he's in this genre. Genre's ruin things, and distract from the artist himself/ herself.

[@kungfew1396]

I heard on the radio that Elvis Perkins mother was killed on one of the planes on 9/11 I wonder if this song is a tribute to her, such a beautiful song.❤

[@heathermooney3656]

kung Few yes it is : www.paulchesne.com/2011/09/remembering-berry-berenson-perkins-aa.html?m=1

[@jacobfreeman7427]

I still love this. As an adult now and planning to have a child with my partner I think I finally get it!

[@vdussaut9182]

I love finding comments from just a few minutes ago, strange to think someone else out there is listening to this at the same time too. I have three kids, it’s been an amazing experience, best wishes to you

[@jacobfreeman7427]

Ah that’s a really nice thing to hear especially as I’ve not told friends or family yet. I was wondering, amongst the sea of 14 year old comments what would really be the point but here it is. I’ve been playing this on and off since I was a teenager so odds are we’ll be listening at the same time again! Thanks for the well-wishes it’s really appreciated

[@robynmoore3205]

had this song for my mum at her funeral - it was the best song that the funeral director had ever heard and insists it is played at every funeral they do in rural victoria / australia - they thought it was soo appropriate

[@rahmreekoo86]

robyn moore beautiful! How truly lovely.

[@annewindsor1]

I saw him play in Canberra last week and this song is so beautiful. Good choice😊

[@rebeccalax9339]

i am full of awe. So beautiful.

[@jaclynsorese]

song of the day! i love elvis perkins, i stop at nothing to see him in concert - he's incredible and such a romantic. my favorite line is "i'll never catch up to you/you sleep so sound".

[@OneWhoLivesThere]

He sounds like a hi-fi Mangum at times, and occasionally like the singer from Devotchka. Love it.

[@MarcusConstantine_Cavalida21]

Precisely. 9 years ago huh, you even still use this? but yeah he totally sounds like NMH with higher recording standards. It's even got brass instruments. I wish more people sung with this kind of voice

[@robynlesleymoore4545]

elvis perkins is just amazing, so amazingly great looking - like his brother and father

[@jebeja]

Very talented man and a moving and sorta haunting song.

[@theliteraryabyss]

This song speaks to me so deeply. I have lived with depression throughout my life. And when I listen to this song feels like Elvis is singing to me personally telling me what I missed while the weight of the world felt like too much.

[@orionova]

Saw Elvis in concert a couple years ago. I'd never heard of him before, never heard his music until that night. I immediately bought his album, and have never regretted doing so. I love this man's voice.

One of the most beautiful find ever written. Thanks... 🥲

[@FreshmanThesis]

I listened to this song in alot of airports. To and from someplace that I really miss now. I'm off to be there again tomorrow, so I decided to check back in on it... To me, it's always been a bittersweet song. Quirky, sad and soulful. Beautiful, too. Simple, pure beauty.

[@teppichkopf]

I hate songs that make me cry. I love songs that make me cry.

[@321okaygo8]

Love this song. Very special and timeless.

[@anynamebutmyrealone]

I think this song is about life feeling like a dream, but everything being alright in the end when we all find our peace.

[@uptheseethingcoast]

My grandfather passed away this Monday, he had Alzheimer's so this song always reminded me of him. It's comforting now cuz I know he's in a better place. It's simply perfect.

[@carysmorgan1259]

What a beautiful mind...& such a tragic family life. Love you, Elvis!

[@Korellianus]

Das muesch!

[@oriellamanicardi2753]

Devi essere orgoglioso di somigliare al tuo papà......bravo e bello come lui! Che possa riposare in pace insieme alla tua cara mamma.

[@stripedshirts]

Elvis wore mismatched socks just like his dad.......that's adorable 8-)

[@DMKPDX]

Just found this song on Pandora and can't stop listening to it.

[@guntherbar6343]

Most beautiful song I have ever heared in my life.

[@dayoffproductions]

Brilliant, Beautiful, Perfect

[@ericadennis5237]

"while you were sleeping the time changed All your things were rearranged" My favorite line but am I the only one who thinks of the Manson family at that part? ♥️♥️♥️

[@AznANG37Bubbly]

I'm in love with this song :P the lyrics are very immaginative/ poetic, it's wonderful :]

[@mrgreynomore]

Wow that's beautiful...

[@mikey0042]

This song is both one of the saddest and happiest songs. I interpret it as an older man looking back at his life and remembering all the things that he will never see or experience again. About how life moves so fast and you never get moments back. "While you were sleeping," refers to the passing of time and never being able to go back and relive those moments. Much like a dream is fleeting and you never can really remember exactly what happened in a dream. Over time the dream tends to disappear until you can't even remember anything about the dream except what you felt about the dream, but you can't remember what made you feel that way. It is also happy because it takes you through all the great memories you have in life. Kids growing, first love, breakups, and all the great events through ones life. I think it depends on what stage you are in your life as to how you interpret the song.

[@gabyvansant4533]

+Mike Martyn I thought it was about getting no sleep, while next to you your sleepingbuddy is sound asleep. What gets through ones mind.

[@OoRandileeoO]

it's referencing his mom who died in 9/11 " while you were sleeping, your babies grew."

[@Ernesto355]

lovely sentiments. the final verse gets me every time

[@michelemisha]

Saw him live two days ago, terrific performance, highly recommended.

[@orion588581]

I love this song.

[@Double0Panda]

Powerful and moving.

[@melaniekalynne9669]

I LOVE THIS SONG 😭

[@taylorchalker4471]

i cant fathom this. i love it.

[@riingard]

simple lyrics, simple song.....i really like it!

[@limbicious]

i'd like this played at my funeral...

[@paiaam]

❤ Berry Berenson & Anthony Perkins ❤

[@kralebdude]

The most beautiful song

[@dottyrebel]

such a beautiful song, really touching, i cant stop listening to it lately..

[@KimmoPT]

Loving the song

[@orion588581]

Has any one ever had that same dream.

[@robynmoore3205]

i love elvis perkins and his music

[@SnoozeIRTL]

First time hearing anything from this guy... I watched the whole thing.. Ill say that much. ; )

[@Redwizardofthay69]

beautiful song

[@alexandrakaste2175]

I love that book! It introduced me to so many bands

[@Catyrina13]

Olivia is the best actress ever!! She's so real interpreting her characters!! The Best! XD

[@Brendae96_]

wooe i just discovered Elvis Perkins and hes amazing this my kind of music

[@Katastrophiies]

Amazing song. Amaaaaazing song.

[@rachelglittenberg3310]

Omg. Just discovered Elvis and his beautiful mum, Berry, who encouraged his writing. This song is so stunning.

[@unclefunkle2834]

so much respect.

[@dts7824]

First heard them at a small venue in Leicester UK in 2007. They were supporting Willy mason.

[@theantiboop]

simply beautiful : )

[@CaioSDuarte]

I don't even remember what brought me here, but I liked it :)

[@odnotaM]

🖤

[@anklesoft]

amazing

[@twosisters9]

A great song.

[@nyxetera]

...goosebumps. o_o

[@flameboy1217]

Dude has a strange facial resemblance to john travolta. Very cool and killer song glad I found it while I couldn't sleep

[@EdithVUA]

Vengo de ver la película Psycho la cual me parece que tiene bien merecido ser catalogada como tremenda obra de arte. Y gracias a la peli acabo de descubrir un nuevo artista con muy buena música.

[@ansley1082]

i like what olivia likes now. i'm her no.1 fan. i like her kindness and humility. very cool too! hope ste'll stay the same forever.

[@sophiaschier-hanson4163]

This is a totally off the wall suggestion, but bear with me. Imagine this being sung in the Underground station of your choice, the older and more iconic the better, starting with just one busker, but with a whole flashmob of people joining in by the end. Try it! Makes an already great song even better.

[@cobweb1989]

wicked vid !

[@capadocciana]

I´m inlove with this song..

[@MrAraucario]

Excellent !

[@pierreberger6644]

Magnifique, le 6 décembre à la coop de Mai!

[@reptarhouse]

The lyrics to this song remind me of a beautiful poem by Joseph Brodsky entitled "the fly" It begins: While you were singing, fall arrived. A splinter set the stove alight. While you were singing, while you flew, the cold wind blow. I agree Elvis Perkins is a wonderful lyracist and this is one of the best songs I've heard that was written during my lifetime.... thats a weighty claim and I'd probably take it back if pushed on it, but this is a beautiful song.

[@ryanreacher]

I thought it was NMH when I first heard it, had to check! This song is great!

[@CaroCaroline3107]

i love

[@annabanana14ily]

this song was to elvis perkins mother...who died in 911...he is saying that he wished she was sleeping and missed her flight that dreadful moring....R.I.P people who died in 911...

[@CnutStolen]

Ths is truly the most talented of all the Elvises. You heard me, I'd much rather listen to Perkins than Presley or Costello.

[@StaceyWinter93]

Thanks, Olivia! :)

[@Kinosuk3]

This is the song we have as a bell in my school :)

[@kiwiasiak]

Are you in Sarlat? Because we also have this song as a bell!

[@Kinosuk3]

Oui!

[@kiwiasiak]

Alors, tu es? :p

[@Kinosuk3]

Je ne pense pas te connaître ;)

[@rbkgus3113]

Kinosuk3

[@alagemo]

I was thinking this today. Sounds very much like the quieter bits of NMH. Would love to hear Elvis tackle Oh Comely or something.

[@cynthiap7741]

Enjoyed song. I'll check his other songs out!

[@SharedThreads]

saw him open for my morning jacket at the nyc terminal 5 show, sad he didn't play this song :(

[@glukkan]

I was a little disappointed they didn't play all 8 or so glorious minutes. Thanks for mentioning Jeff Mangum- his voice sounded so familiar but I couldn't put my finger on it.

[@MrTrzpilu]

one of the final episodes of "Flash Forward" sent me here :)

[@888edu4U]

I love this song and so many of his creations that came to me after this one. I share some of the empathy of this song as we all have our departed loved and dear ones. Respect... The Paris Walking Concert version is grreat too.

[@racacala]

I love the theremin :)

[@DJRod91]

watched psycho, thought anthony perkins looked like nestor carbonell(sheriff on bates motel)...then read that perkin's wife died in the 9/11 attacks almost 9 years to the day Anthony died from aids...then i saw they had a son who wrote this song...and that is how i am here right now. thought you should know that.

[@robertdaugherty6870]

oookkkkkk

[@gabyvansant4533]

+Miley Coniglio And I heard this song, then searched for Elvis Perkins, found out he's Anthony's son, found out that Osgood, his brother made the video, watched Psycho and thought: wow, amazing how Elvis resembles his dad. Just sharing like you two did:)

[@DexterGamingOnYT]

Daniel Rodriguez 4 years behind

[@moonjoogh]

I went the exact same path as you, 6 years later!

[@DJRod91]

:)

[@angiesifuentes903]

So biuriful😢

[@anakricko]

so fuckin' great...

[@levelthinking2318]

Really sweety

[@chinaser121]

I came here because I like the song. End of.

[@Franaflyby]

Can you please come throw down a concert in my back yard here in Park City Utah some day ? Please and thank you. 🐞🌿

[@_MayaB]

💗

[@SethLafontaine]

This American Life.

[@greazelightning16]

if i could marry this man right now, i could die young