Insomnia

The song 'Insomnia' by Faithless delves into the struggles of sleeplessness and the mental turmoil that accompanies it. The lyrics poetically describe the artist's battle with insomnia, a condition that affects many people worldwide. The opening lines set the scene in the quiet of the night, which is typically associated with rest and tranquility. However, for the narrator, it's a time of restlessness and a desperate search for peace.

The song's protagonist speaks of the stress and anxiety that come with the inability to sleep, which leads to a sense of madness and a loss of control. The darkness is not just literal but also metaphorical, representing the overwhelming nature of insomnia that consumes the mind. The mention of 'no electricity' could symbolize a lack of energy or spark, while the 'greasy' feeling might refer to the discomfort and unease that pervade during sleepless nights. The desire to escape into a dream, to experience something as normal as intimacy with a loved one, becomes an unattainable fantasy.

The song also touches on the coping mechanisms people use to deal with insomnia, such as taking sleeping pills ('sleepers'), which eventually become ineffective ('But now I keep myself pepped'). The narrator finds a temporary solace in writing, which serves as an outlet for the 'fundamental movement' of the restless mind. Despite the creative productivity that may come from such wakeful nights, the overarching desire is for rest, for sleep that remains elusive. 'Insomnia' by Faithless captures the essence of this condition and the profound impact it has on one's life.