"Sleep on the Floor" is a single by American folk rock band The Lumineers from their second studio album Cleopatra. The song was released on November 16, 2016, by Dualtone Records, with the accompanying music video being released the same day. The song was written by members Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites, and produced by Simone Felice.
Music video The official music video was released via the Lumineers' YouTube and Vevo accounts on November 16, 2016. As of November 2023, it has gained over 210 million views. The music video was directed by Isaac Ravishankara, who also directed The Ballad of Cleopatra videos compilation, starring Elise Eberle and Adam C. Lively. The music video was intended as, essentially, a trailer. The full movie was later released on Vimeo.
The clip begins with a scene of a girl attending her father's funeral, then her boyfriend tells her "If we don't leave now, you may never make it out". Then the girl goes with him into a car and they drive throughout all the state; after some mechanical problems with their car, they finally arrive at a house where they spend the night. The same night they get married; the music video ends with them going to sleep on the house's floor but when it dawns, she was the only one laying down on the floor. This means the rest of the video was what could’ve happened if she left with her boyfriend.
Personnel Credits adapted from Cleopatra liner notes.
The Lumineers
Wesley Schultz – lead vocals, guitar Jeremiah Fraites – drums, percussion, piano Neyla Pekarek – cello, vocals
Additional Musicians
Byron Isaacs – bass guitar, background vocalist Simon Felice – percussion David Baron – keyboards Lauren Jacobson – strings
Production
Simone Felice – production Bod Ludwig – mastering Ryan Hewitt – mixing, recording Chad Cuttill – mixing assistance
Recording
Recorded at Clubhouse Recording Studios Mixed at House of Blues Studios, Nashville, TN Mastered at Gateway Mastering
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2016–17) Peak position Canada (Canadian Hot 100)84 US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)24 US Alternative Digital Songs Sales (Billboard)20 US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)11 US Rock Digital Song Sales (Billboard)32
Year-end charts Chart (2017) Position US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard) 89
Certifications
Covers The song was covered by Canadian singer-songwriter Dan Mangan, initially as a standalone single in February 2024Megan Lapierre, "Dan Mangan Delivers Cozy Cover of the Lumineers' 'Sleep on the Floor'". Exclaim!, February 6, 2024. before being included on his "mixtape" album Being Elsewhere Mix in the fall.Sydney Brasil, "Dan Mangan Announces 'Being Elsewhere Mix CD'". Exclaim!, July 30, 2024.
References