Sleepless

Album: single release (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Swedish electronic music duo (Alexander Björklund and Sebastian Furrer) brought UK artist The High as a guest vocalist on their track about losing sleep over a broken relationship.
  • Peter Huang directed the sinister music video that takes a dark spin on the song's lyrics. When Cazzette first read the treatment about a jilted lover who would rather murder her ex than allow him to move on, they rejected the idea. After a few more weeks of searching, they couldn't find anything else that worked, so they went with Huang's idea.

    The director added ominous touches that were so subtle that most viewers don't even notice them. For example, during the opening shot of the darkened living room, there are wet footprints going up the stairs, letting us know that Marla (Jenny Raven) is already in the house, lying in wait for her victims. She can be spotted again by the stairs in the background during the zoom-in shot of the couple (Aaron Abrams and Anna Hopkins) making out against in the refrigerator. "Even though you're not quite sure exactly what's off about this situation, there is something off," Huang said in a video commentary. The music doesn't take center stage in the clip, but is a backdrop to the action.
  • This peaked at #24 in the duo's homeland of Sweden.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.

Lecrae

LecraeSongwriter Interviews

The Christian rapper talks about where his trip to Haiti and his history of addiction fit into his songs.

JJ Burnel of The Stranglers

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

Vince Clarke

Vince ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

An original member of Depeche Mode, Vince went on to form Erasure and Yaz.

Adam Duritz of Counting Crows

Adam Duritz of Counting CrowsSongwriter Interviews

"Mr. Jones" took on new meaning when the song about a misguided view of fame made Adam famous.