Sleep Token is an anonymous English rock band formed in London in 2016, known for their genre-defying sound, which blends elements of alternative metal, post-rock, R&B, and electronic music.
The masked members – Vessel (lead vocals), II (drums), III (bass), and IV (guitar) – emerged from frontman Vessel’s vision of an ancient deity called “Sleep.”
Their trilogy includes Sundowning (2019), This Place Will Become Your Tomb (2021), and Take Me Back to Eden (2023).
After “The Summoning” went viral in 2023, Take Me Back to Eden became Spotify’s most-streamed metal album of 2023.
About the Song
“Take Me Back to Eden” serves as both the title track and emotional centerpiece of Sleep Token’s third studio album.
At over 8 minutes long, it’s the album’s longest song and acts as a spectacular finale to the trilogy that began with Sundowning.
The track portrays Vessel’s journey through a destructive relationship, mixing biblical metaphors, personal insights, and the band’s Sleep myth. It was praised for its ambitious structure, emotional depth, genre shifts, and cohesive story.
As the closing chapter of Sleep Token’s trilogy, “Take Me Back to Eden” references lyrics and themes from their previous albums, creating a cyclical narrative that brings the band’s conceptual story full circle.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Released | May 19, 2023 |
| Album | Take Me Back to Eden |
| Writers | Leo Faulkner (Vessel) |
| Genre | Alternative Metal, Progressive Metal, Post-Rock |
| Producers | Leo Faulkner (Vessel), Carl Bown |
| Length | 8 minutes, 20 seconds |
Take Me Back to Eden Lyrics
Verse 1
I dream in phosphorescence
Bleed through spaces
See you drifting past the fog
But no one told you where to go
We dive through crystal waters
Perfect oceans
But no one told me not to breathe
And now the weightlessness recedes
Chorus
My, my, those eyes like fire
I’m a winged insect, you’re a funeral pyre
Come now, bite through these wires
I’m a waking hell and the gods grow tired
Reset my patient violence along both lines of a pathway higher
Grow back your sharpest teeth, you know my desire
Refrain
I will travel far beyond the path of reason
Take me back to Eden
Take me back to Eden
Take me back to Eden
Verse 2
Well, yeah, I spit blood when I wake up
Sink porcelain stained, choking up brain matter and make-up
Just two days since the mainframe went down and I’m still messed up
Room feels like a meat freezer I dangle in like cold cuts
Missed calls, answer phones from people I just don’t trust
Mirror talk, fake love
But I’ll take a pound of your flesh before you take a piece of my paystub
White roses, black doves
Godmother, rise up
I need you to see me for what I have become
Chorus
My, my, those eyes like fire
I’m a winged insect, you’re a funeral pyre
Come now, bite through these wires
I’m a waking hell and the gods grow tired
Reset my patient violence along both lines of a pathway higher
Grow back your sharpest teeth, you know my desire
Verse 3
I guess it goes to show, does it not?
That we’ve no idea what we’ve got until we lose it
And no amount of love will keep it around if we don’t choose it
And I don’t know what’s got its teeth in me
But I’m about to bite back in anger
No amount of self-sought fury
Will bring back the glory of innocence
Chorus
My, my, those eyes like fire
I’m a winged insect, you’re a funeral pyre
Come now, bite through these wires
I’m a waking hell and the gods grow tired
Reset my patient violence along both lines of a pathway higher
Grow back your sharpest teeth, you know my desire
Post-Chorus
When we were made, I know
It was no accident
You know my desire
We were tangled up like branches in a flood
Refrain
I have traveled far beyond the path of reason
Take me back to Eden
Take me back to Eden
Take Me Back to Eden Lyrics Meaning
Verse 1
I dream in ….. weightlessness recedes
Meaning: This verse describes an emotional journey starting in a hopeful, almost glowing state (“I dream in phosphorescence”) but moving through uncertainty and loss (“See you drifting past the fog”).
The dive into “crystal waters” and “perfect oceans” symbolizes immersion into deep emotions or experiences that initially seem pure but ultimately lead to a loss of control or peace (“weightlessness recedes”), suggesting the fading of innocence or calm.
Chorus
My, my ….. you know my desire
Meaning: The chorus conveys intense emotional conflict. The “eyes like fire” and “winged insect, funeral pyre” metaphorically depict passion and destruction, representing a painful, consuming relationship.
The plea to “bite through these wires” calls to break free, while “waking hell” and “gods grow tired” show exhaustion from turmoil. The wish to “reset” and “grow back your sharpest teeth” reflects a longing for renewal, strength, and power.
Refrain
I will travel ….. Take me back to Eden
Meaning: The refrain focuses on a yearning to return to a place of innocence, peace, or emotional clarity, symbolized by “Eden.”
This reflects the speaker’s desire to escape current chaos and hardship by seeking refuge in a purer, ideal past or state of being.
Verse 2
Well, yeah ….. what I have become
Meaning: This verse reveals turmoil and brokenness. Expressions like “spit blood,” “sink porcelain stained,” and the “mainframe went down” indicate emotional fragmentation and distress after a collapse or betrayal.
The “meat freezer” and “cold cuts” symbolize numbness and vulnerability. Despite mistrust (“missed calls,” “fake love”), there’s a resolve to reclaim what’s theirs (“take a pound of your flesh”) and face their transformed self, calling for the “Godmother” as a symbol of change or protection.
Verse 3
I guess it ….. glory of innocence
Meaning: The speaker reflects on loss and regret, noting people often don’t appreciate what they have until lost (“no idea what we’ve got until we lose it”).
The verse states love and healing need effort (“no amount of love will keep it around if we don’t choose it”). The willingness to “bite back in anger” shows confronting pain, but anger alone can’t restore innocence (“glory of innocence”).
Post-Chorus
When we ….. branches in a flood
Meaning: The post-chorus suggests a deep, fated connection between two beings (“it was no accident”), yet it is also chaotic and overwhelming (“tangled up like branches in a flood”).
This symbolizes the complexity and intensity of the bond—both inevitable and tumultuous.
This layered and metaphor-rich song portrays a powerful narrative of emotional suffering, resilience, and the longing for renewal symbolized by “Eden.” It explores the tension between loss, anger, and the hope for healing.
Themes of the Song
This song delves into profound emotional landscapes centered around loss, longing, and the yearning to return to a state of innocence and peace, symbolized by “Eden.”
- Loss and Heartbreak: The song depicts a painful breakup, showing the narrator’s anguish and grief, who feels insignificant and damaged afterward (“I’m a winged insect, you’re a funeral pyre’).
- Yearning for Innocence: “Eden” represents a lost paradise of purity, harmony, and safety, symbolizing the narrator’s desire to return to an early, hopeful phase of their relationship.
- Emotional Turmoil and Grief: The lyrics vividly depict the chaos and pain that follow a breakup, with images of suffering, disorientation, missed calls, and mistrust.
- Contemplation and Acceptance: Beyond grief, the narrator philosophically reflects on loss, noting that we often only value what’s gone after it’s gone, and grapples with anger and the process of healing.
The song “Take Me Back to Eden” ultimately serves as a powerful and emotional plea for a return to a place or state of comfort and purity, while honestly portraying the complexity of loss, grief, and the hope for healing.
Live Performance
Similar Artists to Sleep Token
If you love Sleep Token’s unique blend of heavy music, atmospheric elements, and emotional vulnerability, these artists offer their takes on genre-defying metal:
- Architects: British metalcore pioneers who blend aggressive riffs with deeply personal lyrics and atmospheric passages. Their work revolves around themes of loss and redemption.
- Spiritbox: Canadian metal band featuring ethereal vocals that shift between clean singing and harsh screams, combined with electronic elements.
- Deftones: A Veteran alternative metal band whose influence on Sleep Token is clear, particularly in their ability to create both crushing heaviness and ethereal beauty, often within the same song.
Like Sleep Token, these artists prioritize emotional authenticity over genre conventions, crafting immersive musical journeys that blur the lines between aggression and vulnerability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has “Take Me Back to Eden” Been Commercially Successful?
Yes, it helped the album become Spotify’s most-streamed metal album of 2023.
What Role Does Anger Play in “Take Me Back to Eden”?
Anger is a catalyst for growth and empowerment, not a means of restoration.
Can “Take Me Back to Eden” be Seen as a Spiritual Journey?
Yes, it combines spiritual imagery with personal emotional struggle.
Kelsey Roberts is an accomplished songwriter with a knack for crafting lyrics that resonate with listeners. Having written for both indie artists and major labels, Kelsey brings a deep understanding of what makes a song truly impactful. Her expertise includes everything from song structure to lyrical storytelling. She’s passionate about helping others discover their voice through songwriting, providing tips and inspiration for creating songs that touch hearts.
