{"id":19132,"date":"2026-10-06T02:54:13","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T01:54:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/roglacup.com\/klaus62\/?p=19132"},"modified":"2026-10-01T03:13:50","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T02:13:50","slug":"morning-songr-e-m-daysleeper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/roglacup.com\/klaus62\/2026\/10\/06\/morning-songr-e-m-daysleeper\/","title":{"rendered":"Morning song#R.E.M. #Daysleeper"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As R.E.M.<\/a> prepared for their 11th studio album, they almost broke up. During the initial sessions in 1997, drummer Bill Berry announced he was quitting. He had survived an onstage brain aneurysm in 1995 while the band toured in support of the colossal (and well-titled) album Monster<\/em>. But it wasn\u2019t only the health scare prompting Berry\u2019s exit. The joy of being in the band was gone.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reluctantly, R.E.M. soldiered on as a trio. Guitarist Peter Buck had been collecting drum machines and synthesizers, providing a new way to travel for a band known for its organic warmth and chiming guitars. The new album, Up<\/a><\/em>, would employ a combination of drum machines and session drummers.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Up<\/em>, released in 1998, was a divisive album for R.E.M. fans. Though it wasn\u2019t out of step with late-\u201990s rock bands mixing guitars and drum machines, it was out of step with the world\u2019s biggest college-rock alternative band. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first single released from Up<\/em>, whose meaning we discuss here, was \u201cDaysleeper<\/a>.\u201d Curiously, Michael Stipe\u2019s direct lyrics contrasted the album\u2019s droning experimentations. Musically, listeners struggled to understand what was happening to R.E.M. Yet, here was a song easily understood lyrically, perhaps even lived out by some. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Circadian Rhythm<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

In New York City, Stipe noticed a sign on an apartment door that read \u201cday sleeper.\u201d The song\u2019s narrator is a night shift worker moving through life disoriented and drowsy. The routine of sleeping during the day while working when the world sleeps leads to isolation and depression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Receiving department, 3 a.m.<\/em>
Staff cuts have socked up the overage<\/em>
Directives are posted, no callbacks, complaints<\/em>
Everywhere is calm<\/em>
Hong Kong is present, Taipei awakes<\/em>
All talk of circadian rhythm<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although clocking in for a graveyard shift isn\u2019t the same as life in a rock band, staying up late and sleeping through the day adds to an equally unhealthy lifestyle. In his book Why We Sleep<\/em>, Matthew Walker documents that one can reliably hurt the body by depriving it of sleep. It harms brain function, increases irritability, and can even lead to diseases like cancer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I see today with a newsprint fray<\/em>
My night is colored headache gray<\/em>
Don\u2019t wake me with so much<\/em>
The ocean machine is set to nine<\/em>
I\u2019ll squeeze into heaven and valentine<\/em>
My bed is pulling me, gravity<\/em>
Daysleeper<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Posted from: https:\/\/americansongwriter.com\/listen-to-michael-stipe-for-healthy-brain-function-the-meaning-behind-r-e-m-s-daysleeper\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n