Song meaning of Surely You Don’t Work All Night by Daniel Johnston

The lyrics of "Surely You Don't Work All Night" by Daniel Johnston seem to convey a sense of loneliness, disconnection, and questioning of one's purpose in life. The repetition of the line "Surely you don't work all night" suggests that the speaker is questioning whether someone actually spends their whole night working, implying that there must be more to life than just work.

The speaker describes walking through the town late at night, finding themselves in front of a blank wall where they intended to write graffiti but couldn't find anything to say. This could symbolize a sense of creative blockage or a lack of meaningful expression.

The imagery of the buildings as giant tombstones and a dead-end alley conveys a feeling of stagnation and lifelessness. The mention of a subway wall and a McDonald's glass with the face of a football star could represent the superficiality and commercialization of society, with individuals reduced to mere symbols or images.

The line about ripping their own heart out in a dream suggests a deep emotional pain or feeling of self-destruction. The comparison of the speaker to a monkey in a zoo and the mention of a laughing McDonald's glass further emphasize a sense of alienation and being observed or ridiculed.

Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of a person grappling with their existence, feeling trapped in a monotonous and unfulfilling routine, and longing for something more meaningful in life than work or superficiality.