Daysleeper

R.E.M.'s 'Daysleeper' delves into the life of a night-shift worker, capturing the disorienting and isolating experience of living against the natural circadian rhythm. The song opens with a depiction of a sterile, corporate environment where directives are posted, and staff cuts are a common occurrence. This setting establishes a backdrop of impersonal and relentless work culture, where the protagonist is just another cog in the machine, working through the night while the rest of the world sleeps.

The lyrics 'Hong Kong is present, Taipei awakes' highlight the global nature of modern business, where different time zones blur into one continuous cycle of activity. The protagonist's life is dictated by this relentless pace, leading to a sense of disconnection and alienation. The repeated phrase 'I see today with a newsprint fray, my night is colored headache grey' poignantly captures the physical and emotional toll of this lifestyle. The imagery of 'headache grey' suggests a constant state of fatigue and mental strain, exacerbated by the artificial lighting and caffeine that fuel the night shift.

The chorus, with its repeated invocation of 'Daysleeper,' underscores the protagonist's struggle to find rest and normalcy. The line 'I cried the other night, I can't even say why' reveals a deep-seated emotional exhaustion, a cry for help in a world that demands constant productivity. The song's closing lines, 'My bed is pulling me, gravity,' evoke a longing for escape and the simple human need for rest. Through 'Daysleeper,' R.E.M. paints a vivid and empathetic portrait of the modern worker's plight, caught in the unending cycle of work and exhaustion.