The lyrics of "Sleepin' Around" by Sonic Youth focus on the theme of judgment and gossip from neighbors about someone who is promiscuous and their actions being perceived as wrong.

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Meaning of "Sleepin' Around" by Sonic Youth


The lyrics of "Sleepin' Around" seem to critique societal norms and the tendency for people to gossip and judge others based on their actions, specifically in this case, the act of being promiscuous. The repetition of the lines "Sleepin' around, all over town, what will the neighbors say?" highlights the constant scrutiny and gossip that surrounds the individual's behavior. The lyrics speak to the feelings of guilt and shame that can come from societal expectations and judgment, as the protagonist is portrayed as feeling as though nothing they do is right. This song can be seen as a commentary on the hypocrisy and narrow-mindedness of society when it comes to matters of personal freedom and sexuality, and the pressure to conform to a certain moral standard to avoid being labeled as wrong or immoral.