Lyrics:Sleepless Nights [Version (a)]:
Through the sleepless nights, I cry for you
And wonder who is kissing you
These sleepless nights will break my heart in two
Somehow through the days, I don't give in
I hide the tears that wait within
But through these sleepless nights I cry again
Why did you go? Why did you go?
Don't you know? Don't you know?
I need you
I keep hoping you'll come back to me
Oh let it be, please let it be
My love, end these sleepless nights for me
Why did you go? Why did you go?
Don't you know? Don't you know?
I need you
Through the sleepless nights, I cry for you
And wonder who is kissing you
These sleepless nights will break my heart in two
These sleepless nights will break my heart in two
The Song:"Sleepless Nights" is originally an Everly Brothers song, the influential pop duo from the late '50s (they sang "Wake Up, Little Susie" among many many others).
Beck was also likely to know the song via Gram Parsons. Parsons covered the song on his album,
Sleepless Nights. Beck's a devoted fan, having appeared on an excellent tribute album to Parsons (with "
Sin City").
The live duet Beck did with Eddie Vedder in February 2002 was released in December of that year on Pearl Jam's Fan Club vinyl single release. Beck needs a fan club to release rare tracks to!
Live:Played live 22 times:
February 22, 2002February 24, 2002February 26, 2002August 2, 2002August 3, 2002August 6, 2002August 12, 2002August 18, 2002August 23, 2002August 25, 2002...and
12 more.
Earliest known live version:
February 22, 2002Latest known live version:
August 24, 20212002-2003
Beck introduced his cover of "Sleepless Nights" at three of the four shows he did in February 2002. On February 26, 2002, he did it as part of Eddie Vedder's set. Eddie introduced it as an Everly Brothers tune, and Beck came out to sing harmony, and I think, play guitar. (Eddie, in return, came out for a couple of songs during Beck's set.) It's amazing how well their voices fit together! Who'd have thunk that Eddie Vedder and Beck would be a modern-day Everly Brothers? This performance was later released on a single to the Pearl Jam Fan Club.
Then in August 2002, Beck went on his acoustic tour of North America, and his set included numerous cover songs. "Sleepless Nights" was played a few times. On the opening night of the tour, this song had banjo accompaniment by Smokey Hormel (who also sang harmony). A few nights later, on August 4, the banjo had been dropped, and they did it on acoustic guitars.
Beck also played the song as a duet with Norah Jones at the KCRW Benefit concert on November 23, 2002. They worked on the arrangement a bit right before the show started, but it's pretty similar to what Beck did with Eddie Vedder. Beck played guitar and sang, Norah just sang. And no offense to Smokey or Eddie, but this combo will be tough to beat.
Beck and Smokey played it one more time at a show in Japan in 2003, as well.
2011
Beck took a few years off touring, and returned with a 3 gigs in northern California in October 2011. Beck performed "Sleepless Nights" at his own show in Napa, CA on October 20. Then on October 22 & 23, Beck performed both nights at Neil Young's annual Bridge School Benefit Concert. Eddie Vedder was also performing, and as they did way back in 2002, Beck and Vedder duetted on "Sleepless Nights."
2013
In 2013, Beck toured in a mix of acoustic/Song Reader-y type shows, along side some festival rock type shows. At the former, Beck added "Sleepless Nights" to the set - a good fit for some of the lowkey acoustic material he was doing. He did it four times in July 2013.