Sleeper

BADBADNOTGOOD's song "Sleeper" delves into the complexities of dreams, love, and the bittersweet nature of life changes. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who has moved away from the city, found a new life, and perhaps a new love, but is still haunted by the past. The term 'sleeper' metaphorically represents someone who was once unaware or inactive but has now awakened to new dreams and realities. The song's protagonist is glad to have found a dream, yet there's an underlying bitterness, as indicated by the line 'life is sweeter, but bitter between her.' This suggests that while new opportunities have brought joy, there are still unresolved emotions and regrets tied to past relationships and experiences.

The recurring theme of being 'caught in between her' and 'sold you a dream and burned it to pieces' highlights the internal conflict and disillusionment the protagonist feels. They have found new love and moved to the suburbs, but there's a sense of uncertainty and dissatisfaction. The lyrics 'not sure you still love her' and 'talked under the covers to fill in the hubbub' suggest that the protagonist is trying to navigate their feelings and maintain a semblance of normalcy, despite the lingering doubts.

The song also touches on the theme of shame and secrets. The protagonist is 'tired of sleeping and waking up grieving the life that you left behind,' indicating a deep sense of loss and longing for the past. The repeated lines 'it's not just a season, she cuffed you for keeping' and 'you're holding a secret that you miss the feeling of somebody else' reveal the protagonist's internal struggle with fidelity and the yearning for a previous relationship. This emotional turmoil is further emphasized by the haunting refrain 'tell me you miss the feeling,' which underscores the complexity of human emotions and the difficulty of moving on from past loves.