About the song
Willie Nelson’s ability to paint heartache with his words and guitar has made him one of country music’s most enduring storytellers. His 1962 recording of “Wake Me When It’s Over” is no exception—a song that perfectly captures the weariness of a man at the end of his emotional tether. This is classic Willie, a bittersweet lament that blends self-reflection, resignation, and a touch of that distinctive Nelson wit.
By this point in his early career, Willie was establishing himself not just as a singer but as a songwriter with a knack for distilling life’s disappointments into deceptively simple, yet deeply resonant, lines. “Wake Me When It’s Over” draws on the familiar country themes of love gone wrong and the empty ache that follows, but what makes it special is how Willie delivers it. His voice, even in these early recordings, has a raw honesty, a sense that he’s lived through every word he sings.
The lyrics are understated and world-weary. Instead of wallowing in misery, the narrator simply asks to be left alone, to sleep off the sorrow until the pain has subsided. It’s a humble plea, delivered with a stoic grace that older listeners may appreciate—a reminder that sometimes, the best way to heal is to simply close your eyes and wait for the storm to pass.
The arrangement is sparse and classic, with twangy guitar, understated rhythm, and Willie’s unmistakable phrasing, which always manages to sound both offbeat and effortlessly natural. In “Wake Me When It’s Over,” Willie Nelson shows us that heartache doesn’t always need to be shouted; sometimes it’s the quiet, subdued laments that leave the deepest impression.
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Lyrics
… Gettin’ tired now gotta get some sleep now
Guess I’ve been worried much too long
And don’t wake me till it’s over
When the need for you is gone
I was so happy before I loved you
I’m gonna be like I was before
And don’t wake me till it’s over
When I don’t want you anymore
… My mind is gettin’ weak now gotta get some sleep now
I gotta rest my achin’ head
I just want to lay here just let me stay here
Till the blues get up and leave my bed
Good night, darling
Good night, darling
Good night forevermore
And don’t wake me till it’s over
When I won’t want you anymore
My mind is gettin’ weak now…
