Sleeping At Last "Countdowns" Premiere
Official Premeire - "Countdowns" by Sleeping At Last, featured in this week's episode of Astronaut Wives Club
Available NOW on iTunes!
Don't miss Astronaut Wives Club, THURSDAY 8|7c
Exclusive Commentary from Sleeping At Last:
I wrote and recorded “Countdowns” last Fall as a fingers-crossed submission for ABC’s new series, “The Astronaut Wives Club.” As a massive fan of all things Space and Space Travel, I read and loved the book by Lily Koppel (on which the show was based) and was so thrilled to try my hand at writing a song inspired by these fascinating women and their stories. Needless to say, when I found out "Countdowns" made it into the show, I couldn't have been more excited!
I knew right away that I wanted to write the song from the wives' perspectives. How strange, frustrating, terrifying and exciting it must have been to be standing alongside those early astronauts, supporting the ones you love as they risk their lives in the public eye. To have to champion the cause of the space race no matter how many emotions well up inside and threaten to spill over. I tried to imagine what all of that might feel like in the opening lyrics:
"“i am happy, i am thankful and i am proud"
said with a smile for the cameras at the countdown.
but if i’m honest, i am seconds from breaking down.
as you orbit, gravity throws me to the ground."
(That opening line, “I am happy, I am thankful and I am proud” is a reference to one of the wive’s half-joking tips on how to put on a good face for the media, in spite of all of things you may be feeling inside.)
One of the first lines I wrote for the song was: “I’ll be starry eyed for you.” I liked that those words sound sweet and affectionate, but that the actual definition of “starry eyed” is a little more negative (adjective: naively enthusiastic or idealistic; failing to recognize the practical realities of a situation.) That felt like the right sentiment, as these women wrestled with the incredible highs and devastating lows of their relationships and realities.
"Countdowns" felt like a fitting title, as these brave Astronaut families were endlessly counting down to important moments: who would get chosen to man the first mission, who would be the first ones to be succeed, etc. The nation was counting down as well as everyone watched these men lead America’s space race, counting down to takeoffs and landings, to the next mission, to the eventual dream of landing a man on the moon.
I had so much fun writing this song and I am so very honored and excited to hear it be a part of the show this Thursday evening!
- Sleeping At Last
(Ryan O'Neal)
Full lyrics:
COUNTDOWNS
“i am happy, i am thankful and i am proud”
said with a smile for the cameras at the countdown.
but if i’m honest, i am seconds from breaking down.
as you orbit, gravity throws me to the ground.
but i’ll be starry eyed,
i’ll be starry eyed,
i’ll be starry eyed for you.
i brush the dust off, gain composure for another round.
when did my life become a series of countdowns?
i curse the heavens for pulling you away from me.
at the same time, i pray that you’ll find everything you seek.
and i’ll be starry eyed,
i’ll be starry eyed,
i’ll be starry eyed for you.
i’ll be starry eyed for you.
the whole world stares up in wonder at the night sky.
oh what a marvel to see our dreams so realized.
but all these bright lights run together after a while
and our blaze of glory turns ordinary over night.
our blaze of glory turns ordinary over night.
but i’ll be starry eyed,
i’ll be starry eyed,
i’ll be starry eyed for you.
i’ll be starry eyed for you.
“i am happy, i am thankful and i am proud”
said with a smile for the cameras at the countdown.
but all these bright lights run together after a while
and our blaze of glory turns ordinary over night.
Sleeping At Last Bio
Sleeping At Last is the moniker of Chicago-based singer-songwriter, producer and composer, Ryan O’Neal.
Sleeping At Last has been heard frequently on popular TV Shows and Films such as The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 (Summit), The Fault In Our Stars – Trailer (20th Century FOX Film), Grey’s Anatomy(ABC), So You Think You Can Dance(FOX), Criminal Minds (CBS), Bones(FOX), The Vampire Diaries (The CW), J.J. Abrams & Alfonso Cuaron’s Believe(NBC) and many more. (Click here for complete list)
Sleeping At Last’s cover of “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles.)” was featured in Budweiser‘s popular “Lost Dog” Super Bowl XLIX Commercial.
Two versions of Sleeping At Last’s song “Turning Page” appear on the The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 Official Motion Picture Soundtrack, which has exceeded Gold Record status (600,000+).
Sleeping At Last has collaborated with Van Dyke Parks, Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins), Matt Hales (Aqualung), David Hodges, John Goodmanson, Jon Foreman (Switchfoot), Ryan Francesconi (Joanna Newsom), Paul Von Mertens (Brian Wilson, Wilco), Brooke Waggoner, Alan Moulder, Mia Maestro, Chris Mann, Jonas Myrin and more.
Sleeping At Last has performed with Christina Perri, Switchfoot, Alanis Morissette, The Format, Something Corporate, Phantom Planet and many more.
Ryan enjoyed the role as composer for the TV show, Kid President: Declaration of Awesome (Soulpancake), executive produced by Rainn Wilson. (Reviews: New York Times, Los Angeles Times)
Ryan recently scored the upcoming feature documentary film, “Many Beautiful Things” which will release in 2015, along with an official motion picture soundtrack.
Discography:
Sleeping At Last released three full-length albums: Ghosts (2003 – Interscope Records), Keep No Score (2006) & Storyboards (2009).
In 2011, Sleeping At Last began the innovative 36-song project “Yearbook,” which consisted of writing, recording and releasing three new songs every month for one year. Offered in both a subscription format or as individual EPs for sale, Sleeping At Last challenged the traditional model of music releases.
In 2013, Sleeping At Last began a long-form concept project, “Atlas,” which is an ongoing series of new music (EPs, Singles, etc) to be released over the course of several years. Atlas: Year One (30 songs) was completed in early 2014. Sleeping At Last is currently working on Atlas: Year Two.
In 2014, Sleeping At Last released “Covers, Vol. 1,” a collection of eight cover songs commissioned by and featured in Grey’s Anatomy on ABC.
Sleeping At Last is currently hard at work on Atlas: Year Two (24 new songs released throughout 2015-2016.)
