Meaning of "How Do You Sleep?" by LCD Soundsystem

"How Do You Sleep?" delves into the complexities of a broken friendship and the emotional toll it takes on the narrator. The opening lines, "Standing on the shore facing east, I can't feel you," set the tone for the sense of distance and separation that permeates the rest of the song. The repeated refrain, "I can't hear you anymore," reflects the fading connection and communication between the two friends.

The line "You're painted into a corner, whatever fits in your pockets, you'll get your due, just like before, with all the others" suggests that the friend's behavior is self-destructive and ultimately leading to isolation. The warning about cocaine and the friend's subsequent plunge into it further emphasizes this destructive spiral.

The lyrics also bring up the idea of hoping for more, as expressed in the lines "There's more for you, there's more for you." This can be interpreted as the narrator still wanting their friend to find happiness and fulfillment, even though they have veered off a destructive path.

The repeated line "One step forward and six steps back" highlights the cyclical nature of the friendship, with any progress being overshadowed by setbacks. This repetition emphasizes the frustration and difficulty of moving forward and rebuilding their relationship.

Towards the end of the song, the lyrics shift to a more introspective tone. The narrator realizes that they miss the laughter and the moments shared with their friend, but not necessarily the friend themselves. This sentiment is captured in the lines "I must admit, I miss the laughing, but not so much you."

The closing lines, "But there I go, erasing our chances, just by asking 'How do you sleep?'" showcase the regret and self-awareness of the narrator. They acknowledge that by continuing to dwell on the past and question their friend's state of mind, they are inadvertently contributing to the demise of the friendship.

Overall, "How Do You Sleep?" explores the complexities of a fractured friendship, touching on themes of distance, regret, self-destruction, and the difficulty of moving on.