These lyrics suggest a feeling of unrest and discomfort within the speaker. They begin with a sense of anticipation, with the speaker trying to contain their emotions and pace themselves for someone else. The chorus repeats the phrase "Every time the sun comes up, I'm in trouble," emphasizing the theme of trouble, highlighting that it's an ongoing issue. The second verse speaks to the speaker's fear of not living up to others' expectations, with people often labeling them as a one-hit wonder. However, the speaker challenges this label by posing the question "But what happens when I have two?" The line "I washed your dishes, but I shit in your bathroom" seems to suggest the notion of doing something positive but counteracting it with something negative; it speaks to the speaker's internal turmoil and self-sabotage. Finally, the last verse seems to speak to a shared experience with others where they broke something and tried to cover it up, and then suggests taking a moment to enjoy the silence and appreciate the sound quality of the music. However, even this moment of peace is fleeting as the chorus repeats one last time, emphasizing the continuous cycle of trouble.

The song contains a sense of humor, especially with phrases such as "Hey man, tricks can't wait to hear my emotions" and "We broke your glasses, but covered our asses." These lines create a lighthearted tone amidst the dark undertones of the song.

It's important to note that "Every Time the Sun Comes Up" was written during a period of transition for the artist; in fact, the entire album from which it comes was written during this time. Sharon Van Etten was taking time off from her music career to attend school but had returned to it, and was struggling with juggling school and her music career. The lyrics reflect that feeling of being pulled in many different directions while trying to establish her sense of self and identity.

Interestingly, one of the songwriters for "Every Time the Sun Comes Up" is Stewart Lerman, who is Van Etten's boyfriend. In contrast to many of her other love-themed songs, this is a song about love and frustration and how that can manifest.

The music video for the song features Van Etten wearing a wig and performing a sequence of chaotic activities, such as running through bushes, jumping over fences, and screaming into a pillow. This video was designed to be intentionally absurd and communicates the sense of internal turmoil that the lyrics express.

Another interesting fact is that "Every Time the Sun Comes Up" was nominated for the "Best Rock Song" Grammy in 2015.

Musically, the song has a steady beat but a chaotic structure, with unconventional key changes and a dissonant melody. The overlapping vocals in the chorus create a sense of urgency and chaos.

The chords for the song are as follows:
Verse: Dm, Bb, Dm, Bb
Chorus: Gm, Bb, F, C

Overall, "Every Time the Sun Comes Up" speaks to the complexities of human emotion and the struggles of balancing different aspects of one's life. The lyrics are not meant to be taken entirely seriously, with elements of humor added to the mix to create a lighthearted feel. The chaotic structure of the song reflects the internal turmoil of the speaker and the sense of unease that they carry with them.