I Go to Sleep
"I Go to Sleep" is a song written by English musician Ray Davies in early 1965, originally recorded as a demo by Ray Davies on 24 May 1965 and later released in 1998 on the expanded reissue of the Kinks' album Kinda Kinks.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation">Background and composition
Writing process
Ray Davies composed "I Go to Sleep" on 23 May 1965, while his wife Rasa was in the hospital awaiting the birth of their first child.[1] Excluded from the hospital, Davies played piano at his parents' home in Fortis Green, north London, as a distraction, during which he wrote the song incorporating a sense of paternal tenderness and longing inspired by the impending arrival of his daughter.[2] Rasa gave birth to their daughter Louisa on that day, solidifying the lullaby-like quality of the composition.[1] Davies admired Peggy Lee, crediting her influence in the Kinks' album notes, and hoped she would record the song in her sophisticated style; he later sent her a demo recorded the following day, 24 May 1965, before the band's U.S. tour.[1] His original intent was for a slow, intimate ballad, evoking vulnerability and quiet emotion, which contrasted with The Kinks' prevailing rock-oriented sound of energetic riffs and garage influences at the time.[3]Lyrical themes
The lyrics of "I Go to Sleep," penned by Ray Davies in 1965, center on a narrator tormented by obsessive thoughts of a distant lover as they attempt to fall asleep, intertwining profound longing with escapist fantasy and emotional distress. The song portrays the act of sleep as a refuge where the absent beloved can be vividly conjured, yet this solace is undercut by persistent heartache and tears that summon painful memories. Lines such as "Each tear that flows from my eyes / Brings back memories of you to me" underscore the mild torment of separation, while the repeated invocation of imagining the lover's nearness highlights a desperate yearning for intimacy amid solitude.[4] Central to the song's emotional core are motifs of unrequited affection and nocturnal escapism, exemplified by the opening verse: "When I look up from my pillow / I dream you are there with me / Though you are far away / I know you'll always be near to me." These words evoke a one-sided devotion, with the narrator declaring eternal love—"I will love you to the day I die"—despite apparent regret implied in "I was wrong, I will cry," suggesting a relationship strained by distance or past mistakes. Davies himself described the track as concerning "someone on a journey and missing somebody," emphasizing themes of separation and the solace sought in dreams rather than explicit romance.[4][5]Ray Davies's demo
Recording details
The demo version of "I Go to Sleep" was recorded on May 24, 1965, at Regent Sound Studio in London, with production handled by Shel Talmy.[4][6] This session occurred the day after Ray Davies composed the song at his parents' home.[4] Davies performed the track solo, providing both the piano accompaniment and vocals in a sparse arrangement that clocks in at 2:42.[7] The minimal instrumentation—limited to simple piano chords—creates an intimate, acoustic atmosphere, markedly different from The Kinks' typical electric rock sound of the era.[8] His delivery is soft and crooning, emphasizing emotional vulnerability through gentle phrasing and a subdued tone.[9] As a publishing demo, the recording was created primarily as a reference track for potential covers by other artists, rather than as a full band production for The Kinks.[8] This approach allowed Davies to showcase the song's melodic structure and lyrical intimacy in a straightforward manner, facilitating its pitching to publishers and performers.[10]Release history
The Ray Davies demo of "I Go to Sleep," recorded on May 24, 1965, remained unreleased for over 30 years.[4][11] It was first made officially available in April 1998 as a bonus track on the remastered CD edition of The Kinks' album Kinda Kinks, issued by Castle Communications in the UK.[12][11] The demo was reissued in November 2014 on the five-disc compilation The Kinks: The Anthology 1964–1971, released by Sanctuary Records, which renewed interest among fans through its inclusion of rare archival material from the band's early years.[13][12] The track has never been issued as a single and exists primarily in archival formats, though unofficial uploads to YouTube following its 1998 release have enhanced its accessibility to listeners since around 2010.[14]Notable cover versions
1960s covers
In 1965, American jazz singer Peggy Lee recorded "I Go to Sleep" for her album Then Was Then – Now Is Now!, released by Capitol Records, presenting the song in a sophisticated jazz-lounge arrangement that aligned with Ray Davies's original vision of a mature, cabaret-style interpretation he had composed with her in mind.[11][15] The track, also released as a single in September 1965, featured Lee's intimate, breathy vocals over subtle orchestral swells and minimalistic piano, emphasizing the song's melancholic introspection, though it achieved no significant chart performance.[16] That same year, Cher included a cover on her debut solo album All I Really Want to Do, issued by Imperial Records, where her youthful, emotive delivery was supported by lush orchestral backing typical of mid-1960s pop production at Gold Star Studios.[17] The rendition highlighted Cher's emerging vocal range amid strings and gentle percussion, capturing a sense of longing suited to her then-19-year-old persona, but like Lee's version, it did not yield commercial hits. British beat group The Applejacks released "I Go to Sleep" as a single on Decca Records in the UK on August 27, 1965, backed with "Make Up or Break Up," delivering it in an upbeat pop-rock style with jangly guitars and harmonious vocals that contrasted the song's dreamy lyrics.[18][19] Recorded at Decca Studios in July 1965, the arrangement leaned into the band's Brumbeat energy, though the single peaked outside the UK Top 40, marking a decline in their chart fortunes after earlier successes.[20] In 1966, British singer Lesley Duncan released "I Go to Sleep" as the B-side to her single "Hey Boy" on Mercury Records, offering a gentle pop interpretation that showcased her smooth vocals.[21] In 1967, German singer Marion (born Marion Maerz) recorded a version aimed at the West German market on Hansa Records, with a UK release on Page One Records, infusing the track with a driving beat style through prominent rhythm guitar and energetic percussion.[22][23] Produced in London, her rendition was performed live on the German television program Beat Club, where she became the first and only female German artist to appear, showcasing a vibrant, mod-inflected take that resonated in European pop circles.[24]The Pretenders version
The Pretenders recorded their version of "I Go to Sleep" for their second studio album, Pretenders II, which was released on August 15, 1981. The track was produced by Chris Thomas at studios including Wessex Sound Studios in London and Pathé Marconi Studios in Paris. It features lead vocalist Chrissie Hynde delivering a wistful, emotive performance over new wave guitar arrangements and subtle horn accents, highlighting the band's post-punk style. Released as a single in the UK on November 6, 1981, it peaked at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart, spending 10 weeks in the top 40. The song also achieved moderate success internationally, reaching number 6 on the Ultratop 50 in Belgium (Flanders) for three weeks, number 9 on the Dutch Single Top 100 for one week, and number 28 on the New Zealand charts for five weeks. The accompanying music video, directed by Derek Burbidge, depicts the band performing the song in a straightforward performance setting. This cover represented the second Ray Davies composition recorded by Hynde and the Pretenders, following their version of "Stop Your Sobbing" on the band's 1980 debut album. The Pretenders' arrangement infuses the tender original demo with rock-inflected energy through driving guitars and rhythmic drive, transforming it into a more urgent new wave track.Later covers
Australian singer-songwriter Sia included a cover of "I Go to Sleep" on her 2008 album Some People Have Real Problems, delivering an intimate rendition characterized by piano accompaniment and her emotive vocals.[25][26] This studio version highlights a stripped-back arrangement that emphasizes vulnerability and longing, aligning with the album's themes of emotional introspection.[27] Sia has frequently performed the song live, incorporating it into over 100 concerts across her tours, often as a poignant closer that showcases her raw vocal delivery.[28] In 1970, British singer Samantha Jones included a cover on her album A Girl Named Sam, released by Penny Farthing Records, presenting it in a pop style that reflected the era's vocal trends.[29] Cello-rock ensemble Rasputina reinterpreted "I Go to Sleep" on their 2004 album Frustration Plantation, infusing the track with gothic cello arrangements that create a haunting, orchestral atmosphere.[30] The band's signature style transforms the original's simplicity into a layered, eerie soundscape, blending rock elements with classical instrumentation for a distinctive gothic flair.[31] Rasputina continued to feature the cover in live sets during the 2010s, including on their 2010 live album The Pregnant Concert, where it appears amid their theatrical performances.[32] In 2010, German singer Anika released a dub-influenced electronic cover on her self-titled debut album, produced by Portishead's Geoff Barrow along with members of his band Beak>.[33][34] The version adopts a minimalist approach, featuring atmospheric organ and sparse rhythms that evoke a dreamy, otherworldly tension.[34] This rendition closes the album, providing a tender yet detached contrast to its more experimental tracks.[34] Israeli artist Alon Lotringer, in collaboration with Folly Tree, issued an independent acoustic cover in 2024 as a single, accentuating the song's folk-like tenderness through gentle guitar and heartfelt vocals.[35][36] The release maintains a raw, unadorned quality that underscores the lyrics' themes of separation and solace, fitting into Lotringer's broader acoustic repertoire.[37]Reception and legacy
Chart performance
The Pretenders' 1981 cover of "I Go to Sleep," released as the lead single from their album Pretenders II, marked the song's most significant commercial success. It achieved moderate international charting, peaking within the top 10 in several markets and spending multiple weeks on national singles charts. The track's performance helped sustain the band's momentum following the success of their debut album, contributing to the revival of Ray Davies's original composition in popular music.| Chart (1981–1982) | Peak position | Weeks on chart |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 6 | 10 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 9 | 10 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 28 | 5 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 7 | 10 |