Insomnia

"Insomnia" is a song by British progressive metal band Haken. It is the third song on the band's second album, Visions.

Basis

NOTE: It's recommended that you know the basis of the album before you read this.

"Insomnia" tells of the main character feeling a sense of deja vu in his life, constantly repeating the same dreams over and over, trying to find the culprit for the murder. As time goes by, the dreams take a toll on his well-being, bringing him closer to death with each vision.

Production

"Insomnia" was penned entirely by Ross Jennings and scored entirely by Richard Henshall.
During the production of the album, the song was titled "Numbered" before receiving its final name.

Lyrics

"Insomnia" lyrics [Click here]
Over the edge, falling in and out of time
History is always repeating
Day in, day out, I wait to confront my fate
Mystery is never revealing

I will wait, I will wait

Night after night, shrouded in secrecy
The harder I try to decipher this symphony
It pushes me closer to death
I begin to see alternate realities surrounding me

I am dying to get back to sleep again
I lie in my bed but I've seen the end
My days are numbered, in death I discover
Insomnia, insomnia

I will wait, I will wait

Dying to get back to sleep again
I lie in my bed but I've seen the end
My days are numbered, in death I discover
Insomnia, insomnia!

Personnel

Haken
  • Ross Jennings - vocals
  • Richard Henshall - guitars, keyboards
  • Charlie Griffiths - guitars
  • Diego Tejeida - keyboards, sound design, strings and french horn arrangements
  • Thomas MacLean - bass
  • Raymond Hearne - drums, tuba, strings and french horn arrangements

Trivia

  • On a 2020 Twitch livestream, Matthew Marshall stated that "Insomnia" was his favourite Haken song.
  • During their 2012 Visions tour, the chiptune section in the song was replaced with a Super Mario Bros. medley. This would in some circumstances be paired with a pair of live actors, dressed as Mario and Princess peach.
  • Insomnia was the first song shown off from the 2017 re-issue of Visions.
"Insomnia"
Song by Haken
Album Visions
Genre Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock
Length 6:03
Live Plays 47 (#21)
Visions
"Nocturnal Conspiracy" << "Insomnia" >> "The Mind's Eye"


Jennings recording "Insomnia" from his home.

"My days are numbered, in death I discover insomnia, insomnia!"

Insomnia, from Visions