Every Time the Sun Comes Up (Live at Sydney Opera House)

Song Meaning

Sharon Van Etten's live rendition of "Every Time the Sun Comes Up" at the Sydney Opera House isn't just a performance; it's a raw, almost painfully honest confession. The recurring line, "Every time the sun comes up, I'm in trouble," serves as both a mantra and a lament, hinting at the cyclical nature of anxiety and self-sabotage. It suggests a perpetual state of low-grade crisis, where the arrival of each new day brings fresh challenges and the potential for further missteps. The seemingly simple line unpacks into a complex portrait of someone grappling with their own imperfections and the consequences of their actions. The 'trouble' isn't necessarily external; it's internal, a self-inflicted wound that festers with the dawn. Van Etten's lyrics are laced with dark humor and unflinching self-awareness. The lines, "People say I'm a one-hit wonder / But what happens when I have two," speak to the pressures of expectation and the fear of not living up to external validation. But it's the following line, "I washed your dishes / But I shit in your bathroom," that truly cuts to the core. It's a stark juxtaposition of helpfulness and transgression, hinting at a pattern of behavior where acts of kindness are undermined by moments of self-destructive impulsivity. This contrast embodies the core tension of the song meaning: the struggle to reconcile the desire for connection with the propensity for self-sabotage. The specific details in the lyrics – the broken glasses, the covered asses – paint a picture of shared experiences and perhaps reckless nights. The repeated chorus drives home the idea of a Sisyphean struggle, where the speaker is perpetually caught in a cycle of regret and anticipation of further trouble. The final line, "Every time the sun comes up, I see double," could represent a literal hangover, but also a deeper sense of disorientation and distorted perception. "Every Time the Sun Comes Up" performed live becomes less a song and more a visceral expression of internal conflict, making it a standout track in Sharon Van Etten's discography.