"Insomnia" | ||||
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Original 1995 UK Cover |
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Single by Faithless | ||||
from the album Reverence | ||||
Released | November, 1995 | |||
Format | CD single | |||
Genre | Dance, Trance, dream house | |||
Length | 10:55 | |||
Label | Cheeky Records/BMG | |||
Producer | Rollo | |||
Faithless singles chronology | ||||
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"Insomnia" is a song recorded by British dance group Faithless. Released as the band's second single, it became one of their most successful. It was released in 1995 and became a hit in Dance Charts while peaking at #27 in the UK in 1995 and #3 in 1996 . The song also reached #48 in the UK chart as a re-entry in 2005, showing the song's longevity. The album version is nearly nine minutes long and contains some lyrics not able to be broadcast on the radio edit due to their explicit content. It also contains some bells chiming at the start of the song not generally known by the club-going public as many people know the Monster Mix or the Monster Mix Radio Edit. The Monster Mix was the mix featured on Faithless' greatest hits album Forever Faithless. The song topped the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play chart. The Moody Mix featured on some of the singles was also on the Reverence / Irreverence release.
The song features Maxi Jazz singing as an insomniac while he struggles to sleep ("I toss and I turn without cease, like a curse, open my eyes and rise like yeast/At least a couple of weeks since I last slept, kept takin' sleepers, but now I keep myself pepped"). The subject is resonant with fans of dance music, since stimulant use is common in club/rave culture, and insomnia a normal side effect. The insomniac is also rather destitute ("Make my way to the refrigerator/One dry potato inside, no lie, not even bread, jam...").
Faithless have expressed their displeasure[1] with the fact that elements of this song were reused by Sash! for his single "Encore Une Fois". Ironically, Norwegian electronica artist Biosphere has claimed that Faithless sampled the bassline from his single "Novelty Waves", although the fact that they had changed one note meant that he never received royalties.[1]
Contents |
"Insomnia" | ||||
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2005 Cover |
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Single by Faithless | ||||
from the album Forever Faithless | ||||
Released | September, 2005 | |||
Format | CD single | |||
Genre | Trip-hop/Dance | |||
Length | 03:22 | |||
Label | Cheeky Records/BMG | |||
Producer | Rollo | |||
Faithless singles chronology | ||||
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"Insomnia" was re-mixed and re-released in 2005 after the re-entry of the 1996 single into the UK singles chart at #48. This was partly because of Faithless releasing their Greatest Hits album. The re-mix was not used on the Greatest hits with The Monster Mix being the version which featured on the album. The re-mixed version reached #17 in the UK Chart.
Lyrics
Deep in the bosom of the gentle night
Is when I search for the light Pick up my pen and start to write I struggle, fight dark forces In the clear moon light Without fear... insomnia I can't get no sleep
I used to worry, thought I was goin' mad in a hurry Gettin' stress, makin' excess mess in darkness No electricity, something's all over me, greasy Insomnia please release me and let me dream of Makin' mad love to my girl on the heath Tearin' off tights with my teeth But there's no release, no peace I toss and turn without cease Like a curse, open my eyes and rise like yeast At least a couple of weeks Since I last slept, kept takin' sleepers But now I keep myself pepped Deeper still, that night I write by candle light I find insight, fundamental movement, uh So when it's black this insomniac take an original tack Keep the beast in my nature under ceaseless attack I gets no sleep I can't get no sleep
I can't get no sleep I can't get no sleep I need to sleep, although I get no sleep I need to sleep, although I get no sleep
Preceded by "Runaway" by Nuyorican Soul featuring India |
Billboard Hot Dance Club Play number-one single March 1, 1997 |
Succeeded by "Discotheque" by U2 |
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