I'M NOT SLEEPING

Joe Grushecky & The Houserockers' cover version

I never go out, I just stay at home
Change my address and disconnect the phone
Turn off the TV because it bothers me
I've seen all, seen all I want to see
And if my friends ask where I've been
Just say I don't know what's become of him

Well I'm not sleeping
I'm only resting my eyes
Well I'm not sleeping
I'm only taking my time

Well it's so hard, so hard to be responsible
Knowing everything, everything that's possible
When the bad wind, when it comes blowing in
I'll pack my things and I'll move on again
I feed the rich and fool the poor
Stack the bodies outside my door

Well I'm not sleeping (I'm not sleeping)
I'm only resting my eyes
Well I'm not sleeping (I'm not sleeping)
I'm only taking my time

The world outside is such a dangerous place
That I don't dare, I don't dare show my face
They got my number, they know where I live
Well I've got no more to say, I've got no more to give

But I'm not sleeping
Hmm hmm
Yeah I'm not sleeping

Another night comes drawing near
I shut my doors and then I disappear

But I'm not sleeping (I'm not sleeping)
I'm only resting my eyes
Well I'm not sleeping
Oh I'm only taking my time
Well I'm not sleeping (I'm not sleeping)
Well I'm not sleeping (I'm not sleeping)
Well I'm not sleeping (I'm not sleeping)
I'm not sleeping (I'm not sleeping)
I'm not, whoa!
Well I'm not sleeping
Whoaaa! Whoaaa!
Hey-hey!
I'm not sleeping
Yeah I'm not sleeping
Yeah I'm not sleeping
Hey-hey! Hey-hey! Hey-hey!
(I'm not sleeping)

Info

I'M NOT SLEEPING is a song written by Joe Grushecky and Bruce Springsteen in July 1995, with Springsteen providing most of the music and Grushecky most of the lyrics. The song was released on Joe Grushecky & The Houserockers' 1997 album Coming Home. The above lyrics are for Joe Grushecky & The Houserockers' cover version of I'M NOT SLEEPING as released in 1997.

Joe Grushecky And The Houserockers -- Coming Home

CD - Big Star (121462) - UK, 1997
CD - Viceroy Music / Lightyear Entertainment (54244-2) - USA, 1998
CD - Schoolhouse Records (SHR0042-2) - USA, 2010

This album includes 4 songs that Joe Grushecky co-wrote with Bruce Springsteen: 1945, CHEAP MOTEL, I'M NOT SLEEPING, and IDIOT'S DELIGHT.

Bruce Springsteen's Version

Bruce Springsteen recorded I'M NOT SLEEPING in studio and released it in 2025. He performed the song live a few times between 2010 and 2014. See his official studio version for more details.

Credits

Thanks Jake (ol'catfishinthelake at BTX and Greasy Lake) for the lyrics corrections.

Available Versions

List of available versions of I'M NOT SLEEPING on this website:

Page last updated: 11 Jul 2025