Synopsis

Rick Astley appears in a stark black-and-white video for this restless breakup song. The performance centers on a lonely narrator haunted by the memory of someone who has left him, while the lyrics move between sleepless nights, a crowded bar, and the lingering sound of a former lover's voice. The restrained visual treatment matches the song's mood of regret, emotional disorientation, and unresolved longing, presenting Astley in a more mature and reflective style than his best-known 1980s hits.

Factoids & Trivia

• "Sleeping" was released in 2001 as Astley's first single in almost eight years. It was issued in Germany and reached No. 60 there, as well as No. 69 in Switzerland.

• The song was written and produced by Astley with Chris Braide. It became the lead single from Astley's fifth studio album, "Keep It Turned On."

• The four-minute clip is presented in black and white, giving the comeback single a notably more subdued and adult tone.

• The single was heavily supported by dance remixes, including several versions by US house producer Todd Terry. Those remixes helped the track find a club audience.

• Although the single was not released in the United Kingdom, "Sleeping" later appeared there on Astley's 2002 greatest-hits compilation.

• The video was included on a 2002 Rockamerica promotional DVD alongside clips by artists including Cher, ATB, Sylver, LeAnn Rimes, and Modern Talking.