“Sleepwalker” by Hooked Like Helen – A Song Feature

 

       The song begins with elegantly layered guitars and continuously features intelligently arranged instrumentation that enhances the emotion, but the vocals play an even more significant role in making “Sleepwalker” powerful. Nikki Stipp is the wife half of the power pair that forms Hooked Like Helen, with Jon Stipp being the husband half. They explain that their song is about being willing to lend a hand to others who are in a struggle with addiction. The lyrics are included at the bottom of this post.
 
     All within the first minute of “Sleepwalker,” Nikki’s vocal demeanor takes on three distinct roles, each adding depth and nuance to the narrative. First, a quick-tempo vocal presentation describes the circumstances of the person in the struggle. Then, a more empathetic and calming tone presents the poignant lines “But I know you just want peace // You get close when you go to sleep.” That calming understanding is followed by the authoritative explanation of the expectations:

Sweet dreams but baby not too sweet

Come back to me

We got a pact to keep

Sweet dreams but baby not too sweet

I’m screaming don’t you stay asleep

My sweet sleepwalker

How did you get so high?

My sweet sleepwalker

(Open up your eyes)

Open up your eyes

Open up your eyes

 
     It’s the third “voice” that is comparable in power and passion to Amy Lee during the early releases from Evanescence. The passion is real. Nikki and Jon Stipp are admirably open in explaining, “As a band in recovery, we’ve felt the dark depths of addiction and the hope and gratitude of sobriety.” They expand by noting, “’Sleepwalker’ is a plea to our friends and loved ones who are struggling. If you are alive, you can get better. You’re worth it, you’re loved… open up your eyes.”
 
     When “Sleepwalker” is performed live, members in the audience who have never heard of Hooked Like Helen are chasing down the band after the show to thank them for writing such music about survivors, addiction, and trauma. The song was written by Nikki and Jon Stipp (Hooked Like Helen), and was produced and co-written by Noah Henson (Pillar, Brantley Gilbert). Hooked Like Helen recently signed with international booking agency, TKO (The Ataris, Soul Asylum).
 
     Hooked Like Helen is based near Cleveland, Ohio. For possible tour dates, go to https://www.hookedlikehelen.com/live.
 
     “Sleepwalker” by Hooked Like Helen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hookedlikehelen/
Website: https://www.hookedlikehelen.com/
Bandcamp: https://hookedlikehelen.bandcamp.com/

Lyrics of “Sleepwalker” by Hooked Like Helen
Silver spoon
Distant stare
Slumping over in your chair
Never seen your eyes so empty
Two dark wells
 
Darkened room
Lonely place
In my hands I hold your face
Never seen your eyes so empty
Two dark wells
 
But I know you just want peace
You get close when you go to sleep
 
Sweet dreams but baby not too sweet
Come back to me
We got a pact to keep
Sweet dreams but baby not too sweet
I’m screaming
Don’t you stay asleep
 
My sweet sleepwalker
How did you get so high?
My sweet sleepwalker
(Open up your eyes)
Open up your eyes
Open up your eyes
 
Stay with me
Stay awake
Hold you as you start to shake
The kitchen floor is spinning
I can’t make you live
 
Trauma bonded to pain
It’s your gun, it’s your game
Cylinder is spinning
I can’t make you live
 
Sweet dreams but baby not too sweet
Come back to me
We got a pact to keep
Sweet dreams but baby not too sweet
I’m screaming
Don’t you stay asleep
 
My sweet sleepwalker
How did you get so high?
My sweet sleepwalker
(Open up your eyes)
Open up your eyes
Open up your eyes
 
This obsession is killing you slowly
And I don’t have the strength
I keep folding
So it’s time to wake up and keep going
 
I know you still want peace
 
Sweet dreams but baby not too sweet
Come back to me
We got a pact to keep
Sweet dreams but baby not too sweet
I’m screaming
Don’t you stay asleep
 
My sweet sleepwalker
How did you get so high?
My sweet sleepwalker
(Open up your eyes)
Open up your eyes
Open up your eyes