Talking in Your Sleep (The Romantics song) explained

Talking in Your Sleep
Cover:The romantics-talking in your sleep s.jpg
Type:single
Artist:the Romantics
Album:In Heat
B-Side:I'm Hip
Released:September 1983
Recorded:1983
Genre:
Length:3:54
Label:Nemperor
Producer:Peter Solley
Prev Title:No One Like You
Prev Year:1981
Next Title:Rock You Up
Next Year:1983

"Talking in Your Sleep" is a song by American rock band the Romantics. Released in September 1983, It became the band's most successful single in the US, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1984, being their only US Top 10 hit. The song would have a release two months later in Australia and New Zealand, a release later that year in Japan, and in January 1984 in the UK. It failed to chart in both countries.[4] It became a UK hit in August that year for British group Bucks Fizz. The song is in natural minor.[5]

Song history

It appeared on the Romantics' 1983 album In Heat and was the Romantics' biggest chart hit, garnering substantial radio airplay and a million in US 45 RPM single sales. Nemperor Records also released an extended 12" dance mix, which was timed at 5:56.

The song reached No. 3 – where it held for three weeks – on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1984. It also went to No. 1 on the Dance/Disco Top 80 chart, as well as hitting No. 2 on Billboards Album Rock Tracks chart.

In Australia, "Talking in Your Sleep" climbed to No. 14 on the Australian Singles Chart (Kent Music Report).

Music video

The song's music video, directed by Bob Dyke, was widely aired at the time on MTV and elsewhere. It featured the band performing while surrounded by standing, but seemingly sleeping, women who were dressed in lingerie, pajamas, and other sleepwear.

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Chart (1983–1984)!scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] 14
Belgium (VRT Top 30 Flanders)[7] 17
Canada (CHUM)[8] 1
France (IFOP)[9] 30
South Africa (Springbok Radio)[10] 15
US Cash Box Top 100[11] 4
US Dance/Disco Top 80 (Billboard)[12] 1
US Top Rock Tracks (Billboard)[13] 2
Chart (2023)!scope="col"
Peak
position
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[14] 24

Year-end charts

Chart (1984)!scope="col"
Position
US Billboard Hot 100[15] 19
US Cash Box Top 100[16] 34
US Dance/Disco Top 80 (Billboard)16

Bucks Fizz version

Talking in Your Sleep
Cover:Bucks Fizz - Talking in your Sleep.jpg
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Bucks Fizz
Album:I Hear Talk
B-Side:Don't Think You're Fooling Me
Released:August 13, 1984[17]
Genre:Pop
Length:4:18
Label:RCA
Producer:Andy Hill
Prev Title:Rules of the Game
Prev Year:1983
Next Title:Golden Days
Next Year:1984

The Romantics' single was unsuccessful in the United Kingdom, but in August 1984, the song became well-known when pop group Bucks Fizz covered it. This version reached No. 15 on the UK Singles Chart. It was produced by Andy Hill and featured on their fourth album, I Hear Talk.[18] [19] The single was the group's first for nine months and became their biggest hit since "When We Were Young", a year previously. It was also released as a limited-edition EP, which included the live tracks "Twentieth Century Hero" and a cover of Chris de Burgh's "Don't Pay the Ferryman". The B-side, "Don't Think You're Fooling Me" was written and produced by band member Bobby G.

Track listing

7" vinyl

  1. "Talking in Your Sleep" (Canler / Skill / Palmar / Solley / Marinos) – (4.18)
  2. "Don't Think You're Fooling Me" (Bobby G) – (3.50)

12" vinyl

  1. "Talking in Your Sleep" (Extended Mix) – (8.39)
  2. "Don't Think You're Fooling Me" – (3.50)

Limited edition EP

  1. "Talking in Your Sleep – (4.18)
  2. "Don't Think You're Fooling Me" – (3.50)
  3. "Twentieth Century Hero" (Live) (Andy Hill / Pete Sinfield) – (3.20)
  4. "Don't Pay the Ferryman" (Live) (Chris de Burgh) – (3.56)

Weekly charts

Sampling

Canadian singer The Weeknd interpolated the chorus of "Talking in Your Sleep" in his song "Secrets" from his 2016 album, Starboy.[20] It peaked at No. 47 in both the UK and US, while also charting in other territories.

In popular culture

"Talking In Your Sleep" appears in the 2023 film Five Nights At Freddy's, where it is played several times, functioning as the main song that the animatronic characters (Freddy, Bonnie, and Chica) perform on stage.[21]

The song also appears in the season 2 premiere of the television series Stranger Things, where it is heard playing on the radio inside Steve's car.[22]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: DeVille. Chris. November 23, 2016. The Weeknd's "Secrets" Samples Tears For Fears & The Romantics. May 14, 2021. Stereogum.
  2. At Last, My Legacy Has Come Along Edition. Hit Parade Music History and Music Trivia. Slate. Molanphy. Chris. September 16, 2022. April 12, 2024.
  3. Rolling Stone Staff. September 17, 2014. 100 Best Singles of 1984: Pop's Greatest Year. August 31, 2023. Rolling Stone. This was a calmer, moodier, creepier piece of jangle-noir....
  4. Web site: The Romantics - Talking in Your Sleep - dutchcharts.nl.
  5. Stephenson, Ken (2002). What to Listen for in Rock: A Stylistic Analysis, p.89. .
  6. Web site: Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – CHART POSITIONS PRE 1989. Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. September 15, 2016.
  7. Web site: Radio 2 Top 30. Top 30. September 15, 2016. nl. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160328140527/http://www.radio2.be/top-30/1984/03/03. March 28, 2016.
  8. Web site: CHART NUMBER 1413 – Sunday, February 05, 1984 . September 15, 2016 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20061107210102/http://www.1050chum.com/index_chumcharts.aspx?chart=1413 . November 7, 2006 .
  9. Web site: Le Détail par Artiste. InfoDisc. Select "ROMANTICS" from the artist drop-down menu. September 15, 2016. fr.
  10. Web site: South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1965 – 1989 Acts R. The South African Rock Encyclopedia. September 15, 2016.
  11. Web site: CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending JANUARY 21, 1984 . . September 11, 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121001103942/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19840121.html . October 1, 2012 .
  12. December 10, 1983. Billboard Dec 10, 1983. Billboard. 34. New York, NY, USA. September 15, 2016.
  13. December 24, 1983. Billboard Dec 24, 1983. Billboard. 28. New York, NY, USA. September 15, 2016.
  14. Hot Rock & Alternative Songs: Week of November 18, 2023. Billboard. November 14, 2023.
  15. December 22, 1984. Volume 96 No. 51, DECEMBER 22. 1984. Billboard. TA-19,TA-25. New York, NY, USA. September 15, 2016.
  16. Web site: The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1984 . September 11, 2012 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120930234839/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1984YESP.html . September 30, 2012 .
  17. Web site: Bucks Fizz - Talking in Your Sleep - dutchcharts.nl.
  18. http://www.raffem.com/BucksFizz85till2003.htm#1984 Rafaels and Stefans pictures
  19. https://web.archive.org/web/20040505092959/http://www.bucksfizzearlyyears.co.uk/talkingsleep.htm bucksfizzearlyyears.co.uk - video shots
  20. News: Angermiller. Michele. The Romantics' Mike Skill on The Weeknd Reviving 'Talking in Your Sleep' on 'Starboy': 'There's a Thirst for the '80s'. January 4, 2017. Billboard. December 1, 2016.
  21. Web site: Odom . Dani Kessel . October 27, 2023 . Five Nights At Freddy's Soundtrack Guide: Every Song & When It Plays . October 28, 2023 . ScreenRant . en.
  22. Web site: Lindquist . David . ‘Stranger Things 2’ music is both heavy, mellow . February 8, 2024 . The Indianapolis Star . en-US.