# Daysleeper

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Song by R.E.M

For the Icelandic pop band, see [Daysleeper (band)](/source/Daysleeper_(band)).

"Daysleeper" Single by R.E.M. from the album Up B-side "Emphysema" Released October 12, 1998 (1998-10-12) Genre Alternative rock Length 3:37 Label Warner Bros. Songwriters Peter Buck Mike Mills Michael Stipe Producers Pat McCarthy R.E.M. R.E.M. singles chronology "How the West Was Won and Where It Got Us" (1997) "Daysleeper" (1998) "Lotus" (1998)

"**Daysleeper**" is a song by American [alternative rock](/source/Alternative_rock) band [R.E.M.](/source/R.E.M.) It was released as the first single from their eleventh studio album *[Up](/source/Up_(R.E.M._album))* on October 12, 1998. Sung from the point of view of a night shift worker corresponding with colleagues, "Daysleeper" focuses on the disorientation of time and [circadian rhythm](/source/Circadian_rhythm) in such a lifestyle, leading to despair and loss of identity. Lead singer [Michael Stipe](/source/Michael_Stipe) developed the song's concept after noticing a sign reading "daysleeper" on a [New York City](/source/New_York_City) apartment door.

## Background

During R.E.M.'s performance for [VH1](/source/VH1) *Storytellers*, Stipe explained the background to the song:

I was in [New York](/source/New_York_City), putting together a book of [haikus](/source/Haiku) that I worked on with several dear friends of mine over the course of a year, and I was walking down the steps of this building. It was probably four o'clock in the afternoon, and I come to a door—it's apartment 3-D or something—and there's a sign on it that says "Daysleeper," and I walked a lot more carefully, quietly down the steps, thinking about that poor person who's trying to sleep, and me and my big old boots interrupting her sleep. So I wrote this song about a daysleeper that's working an 11–7 shift and how furious the balance is between the life that you live and the work that you have to do in order to support the life that you live.

The song "The Lifting" from R.E.M.'s 2001 album *[Reveal](/source/Reveal_(R.E.M._album))* is a [prequel](/source/Prequel) to "Daysleeper" and features the same character.[1]

## Music video

The video, shot at Broadway Studios in the [Astoria](/source/Astoria%2C_Queens) district of [New York City](/source/New_York_City) in September 1998,[2] was filmed in stop-frame photography to get what Stipe called a "really druggy, really great look."[2] It features Stipe as the office worker who goes to work at night. All three band members then wear [pajamas](/source/Pajamas) and bed socks, while failing to get to sleep during the day. The video was directed by the [Icelandic](/source/Iceland) Snorri brothers. "I think it's about the sort of alien nature of a night shift," explained Mike Mills. "The weird lighting, the fluorescent lights that you find and the isolation of working the graveyard shift—how it screws up your sleep patterns and that sort of thing, and I think that's the main image we're trying to get across."[2]

## Track listings

All songs were written by [Peter Buck](/source/Peter_Buck), [Mike Mills](/source/Mike_Mills), and [Michael Stipe](/source/Michael_Stipe).

- **US 7-inch, CD, and cassette single**[3][4][5]

- **UK cassette single**[6]

- **European CD single**[7]

1. "Daysleeper" – 3:32

1. "Emphysema" – 4:21

- **Canadian, Australian, and Japanese CD single**[8][9][10]

1. "Daysleeper" (single) – 3:31

1. "Emphysema" – 4:21

1. "Sad Professor" (live in the studio, Toast, [San Francisco](/source/San_Francisco), [California](/source/California)) – 3:59

1. "Why Not Smile" (*[Oxford American](/source/Oxford_American)* version) – 3:00

- **UK CD single**[11]

1. "Daysleeper" – 3:31

1. "Emphysema" – 4:21

1. "Why Not Smile" (*Oxford American* version) – 3:00

- **UK mini-CD single**[12]

1. "Daysleeper" (single edit) – 3:31

1. "Sad Professor" (live in the studio, Toast, San Francisco, California) – 3:59

## Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1998) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[13] 57 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[14] 17 Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[15] 9 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[16] 5 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[17] 27 Germany (GfK)[18] 57 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[19] 1 Ireland (IRMA)[20] 15 Italy Airplay (Music & Media)[21] 9 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[22] 15 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[23] 64 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[24] 18 Norway (VG-lista)[25] 12 Scotland Singles (OCC)[26] 7 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[27] 46 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[28] 49 UK Singles (OCC)[29] 6 US Billboard Hot 100[30] 57 US Adult Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[31] 1 US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[32] 33 US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[33] 18 US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[34] 30 Year-end charts Chart (1999) Position US Triple-A (Billboard)[35] 30

## Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref. Europe September 1998 Radio Warner Bros. [36] United Kingdom October 12, 1998 7-inch vinyl CD cassette [37] United States October 13, 1998 Contemporary hit radio [38] Japan October 26, 1998 CD [39]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** As stated by [Michael Stipe](/source/Michael_Stipe) on *[Later... with Jools Holland](/source/Later..._with_Jools_Holland)* in 2001.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Q_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Q_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Q_2-2) *[Q](/source/Q_magazine)*, October 1998

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [R.E.M.](/source/R.E.M.) (1998). *Daysleeper* (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). [Warner Bros. Records](/source/Warner_Bros._Records). 7-17129.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** R.E.M. (1998). *Daysleeper* (US CD single liner notes). Warner Bros. Records. 9 17129-2.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** R.E.M. (1998). *Daysleeper* (US cassette single sleeve). Warner Bros. Records. 9 17129-4.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** R.E.M. (1998). *Daysleeper* (UK cassette single sleeve). Warner Bros. Records. W0455C, 5439-17150-4.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** R.E.M. (1998). *Daysleeper* (European CD single liner notes). Warner Bros. Records. 5439-17150-9.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** R.E.M. (1998). *Daysleeper* (Canadian CD single liner notes). Warner Bros. Records. CD 44568.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** R.E.M. (1998). *Daysleeper* (Australian CD single liner notes). Warner Bros. Records. 9362445682.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** R.E.M. (1998). *Daysleeper* (Japanese CD single liner notes). Warner Bros. Records. WPCR-2249.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** R.E.M. (1998). *Daysleeper* (UK CD single liner notes). Warner Bros. Records. WO455CD, 9362-44567-2.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** R.E.M. (1998). *Daysleeper* (UK mini-CD single liner notes). Warner Bros. Records. W0455CDX, 5439-17140-9.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Ryan, Gavin (2011). *Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010* (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 232.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-AUT_14-0)** "[R.E.M. – Daysleeper](https://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=R.E.M.&titel=Daysleeper&cat=s)" (in German). [Ö3 Austria Top 40](/source/%C3%963_Austria_Top_40). Retrieved May 25, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-BEL_(FL)_15-0)** "[R.E.M. – Daysleeper](https://www.ultratop.be/nl/showitem.asp?interpret=R.E.M.&titel=Daysleeper&cat=s)" (in Dutch). [Ultratip](/source/Ultratip). Retrieved May 25, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-CAN_16-0)** "[Top RPM Singles: Image 6987](https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.6987&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.6987.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.6987)". *[RPM](/source/RPM_(magazine))*. [Library and Archives Canada](/source/Library_and_Archives_Canada). Retrieved February 19, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Eurochart Hot 100 Singles"](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-10-31.pdf) (PDF). *[Music & Media](/source/Music_%26_Media)*. Vol. 15, no. 44. October 31, 1998. p. 8. Retrieved February 19, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-GER_18-0)** "[Offizielle Deutsche Charts](https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-3793)" (in German). [GfK Entertainment charts](/source/GfK_Entertainment_charts). To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved October 23, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Íslenski Listinn (20.11–27.11. 1998)"](https://timarit.is/page/2977021?iabr=on#page/n11/mode/2up/). *[Dagblaðið Vísir](/source/DV_(newspaper))* (in Icelandic). November 20, 1998. p. 12. Retrieved February 19, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-IRL_20-0)** "[The Irish Charts – Search Results – Daysleeper](http://irishcharts.ie/search/placement?page=1&search_type=title&placement=Daysleeper)". [Irish Singles Chart](/source/Irish_Singles_Chart). Retrieved February 19, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Major Market Airplay: Italy"](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-10-24.pdf) (PDF). *[Music & Media](/source/Music_%26_Media)*. Vol. 15, no. 43. 24 October 1998. p. 29.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Tipparade-lijst van week 45, 1998"](https://www.top40.nl/tipparade/1998/week-45) (in Dutch). [Dutch Top 40](/source/Dutch_Top_40). Retrieved April 9, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NLD_23-0)** "[R.E.M. – Daysleeper](https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=R.E.M.&titel=Daysleeper&cat=s)" (in Dutch). [Single Top 100](/source/Dutch_Single_Top_100). Retrieved May 25, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NZ_24-0)** "[R.E.M. – Daysleeper](https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=R.E.M.&titel=Daysleeper&cat=s)". [Top 40 Singles](/source/Official_Aotearoa_Music_Charts). Retrieved May 25, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NOR_25-0)** "[R.E.M. – Daysleeper](https://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=R.E.M.&titel=Daysleeper&cat=s)". [VG-lista](/source/VG-lista). Retrieved May 25, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-SCT_26-0)** "[Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 24/10/1998 – Top 100](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/19981024/41/)". [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved February 19, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-SWE_27-0)** "[R.E.M. – Daysleeper](https://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=R.E.M.&titel=Daysleeper&cat=s)". [Singles Top 100](/source/Sverigetopplistan). Retrieved May 25, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-SWI_28-0)** "[R.E.M. – Daysleeper](http://swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=R.E.M.&titel=Daysleeper&cat=s)". [Swiss Singles Chart](/source/Swiss_Hitparade). Retrieved May 25, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-UK_29-0)** "[Official Singles Chart on 24/10/1998 – Top 100](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19981024/7501/)". [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved May 25, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-US_Hot_100_30-0)** "[R.E.M. Chart History (Hot 100)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/R.E.M./chart-history/HSI)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved May 25, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Triple_A_31-0)** "[R.E.M. Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/R.E.M./chart-history/AAA)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved May 25, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Adult_Pop_Songs_32-0)** "[R.E.M. Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/R.E.M./chart-history/ATF)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved May 25, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Alternative_Songs_33-0)** "[R.E.M. Chart History (Alternative Airplay)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/R.E.M./chart-history/MRT)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved May 25, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Mainstream_Rock_34-0)** "[R.E.M. Chart History (Mainstream Rock)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/R.E.M./chart-history/RTT)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved May 25, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-35)** "The Best of '99: Most Played Triple-A Songs". *[Airplay Monitor](/source/Airplay_Monitor)*. Vol. 7, no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 38.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-36)** Bell, Carrie (October 3, 1998). "R.E.M. Is Looking 'Up' with Album". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Vol. 110, no. 40. p. 16. The single 'Daysleeper' was delivered to European radio in September...

1. **[^](#cite_ref-37)** ["New Releases: Singles"](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1998/Music-Week-1998-10-10-S-OCR.pdf) (PDF). *[Music Week](/source/Music_Week)*. October 10, 1998. p. 29. Retrieved July 7, 2021. *Misprinted as September 12*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-38)** "New Releases". *[Radio & Records](/source/Radio_%26_Records)*. No. 1269. October 9, 1998. p. 54.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-39)** ["デイスリーパー | R.E.M."](https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/19967/products/307572/1/) [Daysleeper | R.E.M.] (in Japanese). [Oricon](/source/Oricon). Retrieved August 29, 2023.

v t e R.E.M. Bill Berry Peter Buck Mike Mills Michael Stipe Bertis Downs Jefferson Holt Studio albums Murmur Reckoning Fables of the Reconstruction Lifes Rich Pageant Document Green Out of Time Automatic for the People Monster New Adventures in Hi-Fi Up Reveal Around the Sun Accelerate Collapse into Now Live albums R.E.M. Live Live at The Olympia Unplugged: The Complete 1991 and 2001 Sessions R.E.M. at the BBC Live at the Borderline 1991 Compilations Dead Letter Office Eponymous The Best of R.E.M. The Automatic Box Singles Collected In the Attic In Time And I Feel Fine Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage 1982–2011 Complete Rarities (I.R.S. · WB) 7IN—83–88 EPs Chronic Town Not Bad for No Tour Vancouver Rehearsal Tapes Live from London Reckoning Songs from The Olympia Other albums Man on the Moon r.e.m.IX Singles "Radio Free Europe" "Talk About the Passion" "So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)" "(Don't Go Back To) Rockville" "Cant Get There from Here" "Driver 8" "Wendell Gee" "Fall on Me" "Superman" "The One I Love" "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" "Finest Worksong" "Orange Crush" "Stand" "Pop Song 89" "Get Up" "Losing My Religion" "Shiny Happy People" "Near Wild Heaven" "Radio Song" "Drive" "Man on the Moon" "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite" "Everybody Hurts" "Nightswimming" "Find the River" "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" "Bang and Blame" "Crush with Eyeliner" "Strange Currencies" "Tongue" "E-Bow the Letter" "Bittersweet Me" "Electrolite" "How the West Was Won and Where It Got Us" "Daysleeper" "Lotus" "At My Most Beautiful" "Suspicion" "The Great Beyond" "Imitation of Life" "All the Way to Reno (You're Gonna Be a Star)" "I'll Take the Rain" "Bad Day" "Animal" "Leaving New York" "Aftermath" "Electron Blue" "Wanderlust" "#9 Dream" "Supernatural Superserious" "Hollow Man" "Man-Sized Wreath" "Until the Day Is Done" "Mine Smell Like Honey" "Überlin" "Oh My Heart" "We All Go Back to Where We Belong" Other songs "Sitting Still" "Gardening at Night" "Perfect Circle" "Pretty Persuasion" "7 Chinese Bros." "Begin the Begin" "Cuyahoga" "Ages of You" "Turn You Inside-Out" "Texarkana" "Country Feedback" "First We Take Manhattan" "Ignoreland" "Dark Globe" "Star 69" "New Test Leper" "All the Right Friends" "Out in the Country" Videos Succumbs Tourfilm Pop Screen This Film Is On Parallel Road Movie In View Perfect Square When the Light Is Mine R.E.M. Live Live from Austin, TX REMTV Support and side projects Nathan December Buren Fowler Peter Holsapple Barrett Martin Scott McCaughey Bill Rieflin Ken Stringfellow Joey Waronker The Baseball Project Filthy Friends Hindu Love Gods The Minus 5 Tanzplagen Tuatara Tired Pony Related articles Discography List of songs Awards Tours 170 College Avenue Peter Buck Athens Andover "I Belong to You" Hib-Tone Surprise Your Pig: A Tribute to R.E.M. Drive XV: A Tribute to Automatic for the People Category

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Daysleeper](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daysleeper) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daysleeper?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.