Sleeping in My Head

East 17's song 'Sleeping in My Head' delves into the realm of fantasy and unrequited love, capturing the essence of longing and desire. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone who is deeply infatuated with a person who exists primarily in their imagination. The repeated line, 'You've been, you've been sleeping in my head,' signifies the constant presence of this fantasy figure in the protagonist's thoughts, highlighting the intensity of their feelings.

The song explores the idea of an idealized love, where the object of affection is seen as perfect and unattainable. The protagonist is 'hooked' on this fantasy, willing to do anything to make it a reality, despite knowing that it may never come to fruition. This is evident in lines like 'Although you're just a fantasy, I wanna make this dream come true.' The lyrics also reflect a sense of comfort and security that the protagonist finds in this imagined relationship, as they believe that this fantasy figure will never let them down.

Cultural references to beauty standards are also present in the song, with the protagonist describing the fantasy figure as a 'beauty queen' and comparing her to someone 'straight out the pages of a magazine.' This highlights the influence of media and societal expectations on the protagonist's perception of love and beauty. The song ultimately captures the bittersweet nature of unrequited love and the power of imagination in shaping our desires and emotions.