Every Time the Sun Comes Up

Album: Are We There? (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song finds Van Etten singing of mundane, everyday life as she tells tales of doing the dishes and using the bathroom. She told The 405: "You know that was a song that I had written on the Omnichord, like my Bruce Springsteen kind of Doo-wop song!"

    "We'd been hanging all day, took a break to have a drink and relax and then suddenly it was a party - I mean we're pretty responsible when I use the word party we were having a beer and a smoke, but then they were like why don't you just put down a vocal and don't worry you can redo them," Van Etten continued. "So I was goofing off and narrating what happened that day because when you wash the dishes in the studio it's also in the bathroom so that actually happens!"

    "We were a little buzzed actually broke glasses when we trying to clean up," she added, "so it was very in the moment of having a really good time and being silly."
  • The song featured in an ad that premiered June 5, 2016 for Volvo's XC90 line. The commercial shows a family driving way home from a wedding in their Volvo.

Comments: 1

  • AnnieOne of the most beautiful songs. Interesting that it was just them goofing off!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce PavittSong Writing

The man who ran Nirvana's first label gets beyond the sensationalism (drugs, Courtney) to discuss their musical and cultural triumphs in the years before Nevermind.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

AC/DC

AC/DCFact or Fiction

Does Angus really drink himself silly? Did their name come from a sewing machine? See if you can spot the real stories about AC/DC.

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Greg talks about writing songs of "universal truth" for King Crimson and ELP, and tells us about his most memorable stage moment (it involves fireworks).

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."