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“11 Songs That Center Around Sleep” features music courtesy of Brett Young, Chris Brown, Jason Mraz, and The National among others.

First and foremost, don’t sleep on this playlist, regardless of the name! Sure, the 11 songs featured on this playlist do indeed center around sleep.  That said, none of them will put you to sleep!  The talent is through the roof, with musical contributions courtesy of country singer/songwriter Brett Young, R&B singer Chris Brown, pop singer/songwriter Jason Mraz, and alternative band The National among others.  Without further ado, prepare to be captivated by these sleep-oriented songs!

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1. Jason Mraz, “Sleeping to Dream”

Know. • Atlantic • 2018

If It ain’t broke, don’t fix it.  That’s the motto for Jason Mraz.  Within the context of his 2018 album Know., Mraz maintains a familiar, ‘tried-and-true’ script on “Sleeping to Dream.”  That said, Mraz brings a sufficient amount of oomph and punch, particularly on the memorable chorus.  It’s easy to be hypnotized by the beauty of Mraz’s voice, and he’s in full-on expressive mode on “Sleeping to Dream.”

“Sleeping to dream about you / And I’m so damn tired / Of having to live without you / But I don’t mind / Sleeping to dream about you and I’m so tired.”

2. A$AP Rocky, “Fukk Sleep”

Ft. FKA Twigs

Testing • RCA • 2018

A$AP Rocky keeps things blunt on “Fukk Sleep,” one of the many interesting tracks on his polarizing 2018 album, Testing.  In addition to dropping the f-bomb regarding sleeping, he also drops it in reference to a number of other things, including home, the police, enemies, and fake homies.  Naturally, “Fukk Sleep” has a hypnotic, woozy quality, further accentuated by a guest appearance by FKA Twigs.  It’s low-key and a bit odd, but again, one of the more interesting records from Testing.

3. Hayley Kiyoko, “Sleepover”

Expectations • EMPIRE / Atlantic • 2018

Hayley Kiyoko is fearless when it comes to sexuality throughout the course of her debut album, Expectations.  A perfect example of being open and sexy comes by way of album’s fourth song, “Sleepover.” Here, Kiyoko definitely wants to be more than friends.

“But at least I got you in my head, oh yeah / At least I got you in my head, in my head / Sleepovers in my bed, oh yeah / At least I got you in my head, in my head.”

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4. Brett Young, “Sleep Without You”

Brett Young • Big Machine • 2017

“Sleep Without You” is a well-rounded record that has hit written all over it.  California country singer Brett Young has a sensational voice that blends the best of country with enough chops to appeal to the pop crowd. The production work is slick – a blend of pop sensibilities and country cues. Also, notable in regards to the production is the clean, tidy sound that eschews clutter and being over produced. The chorus is catchy and rhythmic:

“But as long as the night ends with you in a yellow cab shootin’ me a text sayin’ / Comin’ home soon / As long as I can bet on ya crawlin’ into bed after slippin’ out ya high heel shoes…/ I can’t sleep without you.”

The sound is bigger and more robust on the chorus compared to the verses. The theme of the song is nothing new. Even so, it sounds relatively fresh in Young’s hands. “Sleep Without You” may not be transcendent or the second coming, but it’s compelling from the first listen.

5. Vivian Green, “Stop Sleeping (See the Light)”

VGVI • Make Noise • 2017

“Stop Sleeping (See the Light)” is by far the most progressive song from VGVI, the 2017 studio album by underrated R&B singer Vivian Green. Less traditional than most of the songs on the album but meaningful nonetheless, as “Stop Sleeping” progresses, it becomes more and more endearing.  The message is on-point – perfect for the most turbulent times.

6. Chris Young, “Losing Sleep”

Losing Sleep • RCA • 2017

“Fall into me, let me breathe the air you breathe / I can take you anywhere you wanna be / When it comes to us every single touch is something special / When we’re wrapped up in those sheets / Yeah, we’re winning, we’re losing / When we’re losing sleep.” On “Losing Sleep”,country singer Chris Young showcases his sexy side.  The record incorporates tasteful pop cues, but doesn’t turn its back on the country idiom.  The romantic vibe shines on verses, which are cool and poised. The lyrics match the sensual, pop-oriented sound. Young’s voice is stunning, sporting the rare rich baritone.  A big, energetic chorus (aforementioned), firmly planted in country music, is a welcome contrast to the more restrained verses.  Here, the anthemic sound of contemporary country returns with its full-fledged glory.

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7. The National, “Sleep Well Beast”

Sleep Well Beast • 4AD • 2017

“I’ll tell you about it some time, the time we left.” Fittingly, “Sleep Well Beast” concludes the Sleep Well Beast, the Grammy-winning alternative album by The National. While it’s a bizarre, odd, and lengthy record, all in all, “Sleep Well Beast” is an intriguing way to cap things off.   It covers a little bit of everything (frontman Matt Berninger describes it as “impressionist”), with unique, poetic, and sometimes left-of-center lyrics.

“We leave our saviors wrapped around the necks of new machines / Or at the ends of threads that hold their bodies to the ground.”

#Sleep Well Beast.

8. 2 Chainz, “Sleep When U Die”

Pretty Girls Like Trap Music • Def Jam • 2017

“Hibachi my menu, my bracelet on igloo / Every song is a single, you hear the money talk.” Can you say flex-fest?  On “Sleep When U Die,” 2 Chainz is so ‘high’ (on life supposedly) that the only time he’s worried about sleeping is when he dies.  He spits on the chorus: “Look in my eyes, look in my eyes / You can sleep when you die, you can sleep when you die.” 2 Chainz’s life is too lit to sleep, apparently.

9. Chris Brown, “Back to Sleep”

Royalty • RCA • 2015

“I know you got work pretty early, I’ll be around by 3:30 / Usually you done by one one, so baby when I wake you up.” There is one theme that graces the majority of songs by Chris Brown – sex.  Unsurprisingly, sex is central to “Back to Sleep,” the opener for his 2015 album, Royalty.  The narrative is that Brown has just flew in for a trip, it’s late, and he wants to do it with his bae.  Of course, “do it” isn’t how he refers to what he’s going to do…

“Just let me rock, f**k you back to sleep girl / Don’t say a word, no, don’t you talk/ Just hold on tight to me girl / F**k you back to sleep girl, rock you back.”

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10. Neon Trees, “Sleeping with a Friend”

Pop Psychology • Mercury • 2014

“When we go out, yeah, we’re electric / Coursing through our bodies ‘til we’re one.” In the context of Pop Psychology, “Sleeping with a Friend” marks the third consecutive standout record.  The record is a prime example of neo-new wave. “We are both young hot-blooded people,” frontman Tyler Glenn sings on the bridge, continuing, “We don’t wanna die alone / Two become one, it could be lethal…sleeping with a friend.” Basically, this is a record about the fear of messing up a friendship because it’s turned into something more intimate…

11. Bring Me the Horizon, “Sleepwalking”

Sempiternal • Epitaph • 2013

“Time stood still the way it did before / It’s like I’m sleepwalking / Fell into another hole again / It’s like I’m sleepwalking.” Sigh, we close out this sleep-oriented playlist with English rock (metalcore) band Bring Me the Horizon, fronted by the energetic Oli Sykes.  Sykes is turned-up on this record from the collective’s 2013 album, Sempiternal.  For the majority of the song, he’s gritty, quasi-singing and quasi-screaming.  The effect is a heaping dose of edgy angst. Things are even more dramatic on the breakdown section:

“I’m at the edge of the world / Where do I go from here? Do I disappear? / Edge of the world / Should I sink or swim? Or simply disappear?”

Photo Credits: 4AD, Atlantic, Big Machine, Def Jam, EMPIRE, Epitaph, Make Noise, Mercury, RCA

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