I'm Only Sleeping

I'm Only Sleeping is a song by the English rock band The Beatles from their 1966 studio album Revolver.

Lyrics
Lift my head, I'm still yawning

When I'm in the middle of a dream

Stay in bed, float up stream (float up stream)

Please, don't wake me, no, don't shake me

Leave me where I am, I'm only sleeping

Everybody seems to think I'm lazy

I don't mind, I think they're crazy

Running everywhere at such a speed

'Til they find there's no need (there's no need)

Please, don't spoil my day, I'm miles away

And after all I'm only sleeping

Keeping an eye on the world going by my window

Taking my time

Lying there and staring at the ceiling

Waiting for a sleepy feeling

Please, don't spoil my day, I'm miles away

And after all I'm only sleeping

Ooh yeah

Keeping an eye on the world going by my window

Taking my time

When I wake up early in the morning

Lift my head, I'm still yawning

When I'm in the middle of a dream

Stay in bed, float up stream (float up stream)

Please, don't wake me, no, don't shake me

Leave me where I am, I'm only sleeping

History
I’m Only Sleeping, John Lennon’s most soporific contribution to Revolver, was inspired by Paul McCartney’s habit of having to wake him up for afternoon songwriting sessions at Lennon’s house. The subject matter was close to Lennon’s heart. His lack of routine while away from the rigours of touring left him content to while away the hours at his home in Weybridge, often under the influence of drugs. The Beatles began recording I’m Only Sleeping on April 27, 1966, when 11 takes of the rhythm track were put to tape. John Lennon added his lead vocals two days later.

One of the defining features of I’m Only Sleeping is the backwards guitar. This was in fact, two parts, conceived and performed by George Harrison during a five hour late-night session on May 5, 1966. Harrison first wrote down the notation for the solos he wanted, reversed them and recorded them twice; one with fuzz effects and the other unadorned. The idea for the backwards solos came about after a tape operator accidentally threaded a tape into the machine the wrong way. I’m Only Sleeping was completed on May 6, 1966. Lennon, McCartney and Harrison added their harmony vocals, along with a somewhat apt yawn at the two-minute mark.