Try To Sleep
by Low

Album: C'Mon (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • American indie rock band Low formed in Duluth, Minnesota in 1993. The group's lineup for their ninth album, C'Mon, was the husband-and-wife founding members Alan Sparhawk (guitar and vocals) and Mimi Parker (drums and vocals), plus Steve Garrington (bass guitar). The disc, which includes "Try To Sleep," was recorded at Sacred Heart Studio, a former Catholic church in Duluth, where the band previously recorded 2002's Trust.
  • Much of Low's material comes from Sparhawk and Parker's Mormon faith, and this song is inspired by a passage in the sixth chapter of the Old Testament book of Isaiah. Sparhawk explained to Drowned In Sound: "My favorite image in the Book of Isaiah is the one where he finds himself at the throne of God, guarded by the seraphim, each having six wings. The prophet becomes aware of his unclean lips, shrinks, but then is purified by a coal of incense placed on his mouth."
  • A video was filmed for the song starring John Stamos, who you may remember from his starring role as Jesse Katsopolis on the sitcom Full House or his time in ER when he played Dr. Tony Gates.
  • Chrissie Hynde recorded a cover of "Try To Sleep" for her 2025 album Duets Special, with Debbie Harry as her duet partner. "I loved Low, one of my all-time favorite bands," Hynde told NME. "I toured with Debbie in Australia and thought her voice would suit it. I love her low-key, dignified approach."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Charles Fox

Charles FoxSongwriter Interviews

After studying in Paris with a famous composition teacher, Charles became the most successful writer of TV theme songs.

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Band Names

Band NamesFact or Fiction

Was "Pearl" Eddie Vedder's grandmother, and did she really make a hallucinogenic jam? Did Journey have a contest to name the group? And what does KISS stand for anyway?

Rufus Wainwright

Rufus WainwrightSongwriter Interviews

Rufus Wainwright on "Hallelujah," his album Unfollow The Rules, and getting into his "lyric trance" on 12-hour walks.

Def Leppard Quiz

Def Leppard QuizMusic Quiz

Can you name Def Leppard's only #1 hit in America? Get rocked with this adrenalized quiz.

Bible Lyrics

Bible LyricsMusic Quiz

Rockers, rappers and pop stars have been known to quote the Bible in their songs. See if you match the artist to the biblical lyric.