I don’t actually fall asleep without intending to, so I don’t think there are any songs that make me fall asleep. However, there are songs that have put me in a sleep-like trance, and there’s one song in particular, linked to one night in particular that is strong in my memory. I had just started dating someone who would turn out to be my first long-term serious relationship, and I got home one night from one of our first dates. I was living in Melrose at the time and my roommate either wasn’t home, or was already asleep. I was lying on the couch, staring up at the ceiling and the shadows that were flowing across it as cars went by on the street. I was in a state of semi-bliss and I had Smashing Pumpkins’ Gish album on. Love Rhinoceros, and that song has a somewhat hypnotic effect on me as well, but the one that really put me in a sort of trance is Crush. Between the opening bass riff, and the ethereal guitar harmonics, lead vocalist Billy Corrigan manages to restrain himself vocally. I’m kind of falling into a trance right now as I’m listening to the song and typing this. I certainly didn’t fall asleep that night, but it was a mesmerizing effect and a moment in my life I’ll always remember.
The rest is just gravy