Every Time the Sun Comes Up by Sharon Van Etten Lyrics Meaning – Exploring the Depths of Daybreak Troubles
Lyrics
Hold my horses, patient
Hey man, tricks can’t wait to hear my emotions
Every time the sun comes up, I’m in trouble
Every time the sun comes up, I’m in trouble
People say I’m a one-hit wonder
But what happens when I have two?
I washed your dishes, but I shit in your bathroom
Even when the sun comes up, I’m in trouble
Even when the sun comes up, I’m in trouble
We broke your glasses, but covered our asses
Take time silently, feel real room hi-fi
Well, every time the sun comes up, I’m in trouble
Every time the sun comes up, I’m in trouble
Yeah, every time the sun comes up, I’m in trouble
Imagine when
Every time the sun comes up, I see double
Hmm
Hmm
Yes, she is
Maybe something will change, sorry, my headphones fell off
In Sharon Van Etten’s haunting ballad ‘Every Time the Sun Comes Up,’ listeners are drawn into a melodic introspection that speaks as much to the heart as it does to the intellect. The track, woven with Van Etten’s signature smoky vocals and echoing instrumentals, serves not just as a song, but as a confessional—a piece of art that invites us to explore the complexities of vulnerability and the ceaseless turmoil of personal demons.
As we dissect the lyrics, we may find that the repeated phrase ‘every time the sun comes up, I’m in trouble’ is not just a literal description of a troubled daybreak but an allegory for the cyclical battles one might face in their personal or creative life. The song’s narrative might seem simple at first glance, but as we delve deeper, we uncover layers of emotion and meaning that resonate on multiple levels.
A Symphony of Woes: Unpacking the Sunrise Metaphor
Sharon Van Etten’s use of daybreak as a signal for trouble is a richly poetic choice. The sunrise, typically heralded as a symbol of hope and new beginnings, is recast in her lyricism as the mark of consistent struggle. It’s an inversion of expectation that prompts the listener to question their assumptions about when one might be safe from their inner turmoil—suggesting that perhaps, for some, there is no respite, not even with the arrival of a new day.
This metaphor extends to the anticipation of fear and anxiety that can come with the passage of time. As the sun heralds the start of another cycle, so does it bring about the reminder of unresolved issues, be they in life or the process of creation. Van Etten deftly encapsulates the universal dread of a new day not for its opportunities but for the challenges it is sure to bring.
The Antithesis of a One-Hit Wonder: Dismantling Expectations
The lyric ‘People say I’m a one-hit wonder, But what happens when I have two?’ stands as a defiant stance against the boxes artists are often placed within. Van Etten challenges the notion of fleeting success, hinting at the continued evolution and depth of an artist beyond their recognized achievements. It’s a bold assertion of self-worth and a middle finger to the critics who might underestimate her longevity or ability to surprise.
More so, it reflects the pressures of the music industry and the consuming public to pigeonhole and label, setting expectations that artists must either meet or break. In these lines, Van Etten not only predicts her own artistic trajectory but also takes ownership of her narrative, insisting on a future where she is not defined by past triumphs but by the potential of what is yet to unfold.
Bathroom Confessions: The Intimacy of Domestic Disarray
One cannot ignore the jarring lyric ‘I washed your dishes, but I shit in your bathroom,’ which juxtaposes mundane domesticity against a raw, unfiltered human act. It’s a confession of imperfection, a moment of candid vulnerability that defies societal expectations of propriety. In doing so, Van Etten shatters the illusion of polish that often comes with public persona, choosing to share a slice of reality, however crude it may be.
The line teeters on the humorous but lands firmly in the confessional, illustrating a broader narrative about the messiness of life and relationships. It’s about the facade we put on for others and the truth of our existence behind closed doors—a truth that is as undeniable as it is liberally human.
Seeing Double: The Haunting Nature of a Fragmented Self
As we approach the song’s climax, the lyric ‘Imagine when, Every time the sun comes up, I see double’ paints a picture of a mind fraying at the edges. It’s a startling admission of disorientation and perhaps, the split within one’s identity or perception. This line, sung so plaintively by Van Etten, speaks to the struggle of maintaining coherence under the weight of one’s troubles and acknowledging the multiplicity of self that can arise in moments of distress.
The double vision can be read as a metaphor for the internal conflict between who one is and who one is expected to be. Or it could hint at the sense of alienation and the eerie feeling that comes with looking into the mirror and not recognizing oneself. This line leaves a distinct impression about the personal cost of living through chaos, echoed in each haunting repetition.
Apologies and Accidents: The Hidden Meaning Within ‘Sorry’
Yet, amidst the tumultuous tide of emotions and profound reflections, Van Etten cues in a subtle line at the song’s conclusion—’Maybe something will change, sorry, my headphones fell off’. This sudden interjection, which appears to be an offhanded remark, could serve as an unexpected commentary on the way life’s randomness intersects with our intentions and our art.
It suggests a breaking of the fourth wall, a moment where the artist’s process bleeds into the art itself, a reminder that creation is influenced by the unpredictability of existence. With a single, seemingly flippant comment, Van Etten encapsulates the essence of human imperfection and the beauty of spontaneity, tying back her myriad themes with the fragile thread of serendipity.
