I Need Some Sleep :: The Eels

Early post for Wednesday, hurray! So I know I've already blogged about the Eels. But I really enjoy them. Strangely enough, even though this song is about insomnia, it is one of those songs that makes me feel less stressed and sleepy and helps my brain wind down enough to sleep sometimes. I think it's a combination of the slight distortion, the repetitive keyboard part, and the general feeling of it'll be ok, really, that the song has. And lately the song has actually been quite useful. I've been extremely stressed for the past few weeks about my senior paper/Midwest Sociological Society meeting presentation, talking to my parents about transitioning (again), potentially coming out to my brother and sister, not to mention regular day to day school and extracurricular stuff.
Also, the first time I ever heard this song was when I watched the movie Shrek 2 for the first time. It's in this scene where Shrek is laying awake at night and obsessing over the fact that he's not the knight in shining armor for Fiona. When really, she didn't need some "perfect" knight in shining armor to come and sweep her off her feet.
Of course, since it's a kids movie, everything gets resolved in the end either way. So he probably didn't need to lose sleep, he should've just noticed that even though he's an ogre, he's the hero and the hero does always get the girl in the end. Or the ogress. end sidenote.
So, enjoy, and remember that sometimes you just gotta let it go. And go to sleep.



I need some sleep
It can't go on like this
I tried counting sheep
But there's one I always miss
Everyone says I'm getting down too low
Everyone says you just gotta let it go
You just gotta let it go
You just gotta let it go

I need some sleep
Time to put the old horse down
I'm in too deep
And the wheels keep spinning 'round
Everyone says I'm getting' down too low
Everyone says you just gotta let it go
You just gotta let it go
You just gotta let it go
You just gotta let it go

Things the Grandchildren Should Know :: The Eels

This song is off of the Eels rather brilliant 2 disc CD, Blinking Lights and Other Revelations. It's the final track of the whole collection.

Sometimes I'm terrified that when I grow old I'll become an anti-social recluse. This song makes me feel a little better about growing old. Even if I do become a bit of a recluse, I think it'll be ok. The song also reminds me that I want to talk to my parents and grandparents, to talk to them about their lives, how they see their experiences. I would love to understand some of my parents decisions. I would also love to know how my parents really feel about me. I know that they love me, but sometimes I feel like I just confuse them. I'm quite impressed that the Eels are able to write such insightful (well, to me) music about growing older before they've reached old age.

I think my favorite lyrics from the song are "I knew true love and i knew passion and the difference between the two." I think people often confuse love with other emotions, like lust and passion. I also think that we equate love with sacrifice, sacrifice of dreams, friendships, independence, even the sacrifice of passion itself. I also think that we often forget that love can be passionate without being romantic or sexual. I'm not saying I know the difference yet between passion and love, but I'm learning and I'll get there one day.



I go to bed real early
Everybody thinks it's strange
I get up early in the morning
No matter how disappointed i was
With the day before
It feels new

I don't leave the house much
I don't like being around people
Makes me nervous and weird
I don't like going to shows either
It's better for me to stay home
Some might think it means i hate people
But that's not quite right

I do some stupid things
But my heart's in the right place
And this i know

I got a dog
I take him for a walk
And all the people like to say hello
I'm used to staring down at the sidewalk cracks
I'm learning how to say hello
Without too much trouble

I'm turning out just like my father
Though i swore i never would
Now i can say that i have a love for him
I never really understood
What it must have been like for him
Living inside his head

I feel like he's here with me now
Even though he's dead

It's not all good and it's not all bad
Don't believe everything you read
I'm the only one who knows what it's like
So i though i'd better tell you
Before i leave

So in the end i'd like to say
That i'm a very thankful man
I tried to make the most of my situations
And enjoy what i had
I knew true love and i knew passion
And the difference between the two
And i had some regrets
But if i had to do it all again
Well, it's something i'd like to do