I'M ONLY SLEEPING
(Lennon-McCartney)
1966


Maureen Cleave, in her notorious Evening Standard piece earlier in the year, 
had already noted that John Lennon was now "probably the laziest person in 
England".  This illustrated perfectly in his first song for Revolver.  The 
lazily strummed acoustic guitars and chorus melody lagging behind the beat 
perfectly evoke such a sensation.  Although George Martin had used tape 
effects before (speeding up the piano solo during Rubber Soul's "In My 
Life"), "I'm Only Sleeping" features a backwards guitar solo, achieved by 
turning round the audio tape, recording the solo and then turning the tape 
back round again.  This would become something of standard technique on many 
psychedlic recordings of the late sixties.



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 upstream (float upstream)


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 their 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


Keeping an eye on the world going by my window
Taking my time, when I wake early in the morning
Lift my head I'm still yawning
When I'm in the middle of a dream
Stay in bed float upstream (float upstream)


Please don't wake me, no don't shake me
Leave me where I am I'm only sleeping