Meaning of "What Keeps You up at Night" by Dan + Shay

The lyrics of "What Keeps You up at Night" by Dan + Shay convey the narrator's intense desire to be the constant presence in the girl's mind. The repetition of the phrase "Girl, I wanna be what keeps you up at night" emphasizes their longing to be the source of her sleepless nights. They want to leave marks of their presence through the use of imagery, be it a taste on her lips, a chill running under her skin, or a spray of their cologne on her pillows. The narrator wants her to constantly feel their proximity, even when they are physically apart. By leaving a song in her head and making her dance in the dark as if she were still in their arms, the narrator aims to establish a connection that transcends time and space.

The lyrics also suggest a sense of possessiveness and intense infatuation. The desire to be the only thing on her brain and to have her call for their presence reinforces the narrator's need to be constantly intertwined in her thoughts and desires. This type of obsession is further exemplified by the line "Oh, I wanna kiss you 'til I can't get off your mind," which portrays a relentless pursuit of being unforgettable to her.

Overall, "What Keeps You up at Night" explores the theme of longing and the yearning to be the most significant presence in someone's thoughts and dreams. The lyrics depict the intensity of infatuation and the narrator's willingness to do whatever it takes to be the person who occupies the girl's mind, even when they are physically apart.