Ain't No Sunshine
Al Jarreau / Al Green Lyrics
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It's not warm when she's away
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
She's always gone too long
Any time she goes away
Wonder this time where she's gone
Wonder if she's gone to stay
And this house just ain't no home
Anytime she goes away
I know
I leave the young thing alone
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
Home is darkness several days
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And this house just ain't no home
Any time she goes away
Any time she goes away
Any time she goes away
Any time she goes away
The song Ain't No Sunshine by Al Jarreau is a soulful ballad that is one of the most iconic odes to heartbreak ever written. The song talks about the emptiness and darkness that is felt when someone you love is away. The lyrics describe the sadness and loneliness that is experienced when a lover is not around, and how home doesn't seem like home anymore. The first verse emphasizes the absence of the woman, stating that the warmth and light that she brings is gone when she's away. The second verse asks the question of where she has gone, and if she's gone to stay. The chorus repeats the phrase "ain't no sunshine when she's gone," highlighting the central theme of the song - the presence and love of a woman that is missed when she is gone. The final verse is an acknowledgment of the fact that the woman has left, and that the singer is left alone in the darkness, waiting for her return.
The song is incredibly emotional and speaks to the pain of separation and loss. The repetition of "ain't no sunshine" emphasizes the absence of light and love, and the longing that is felt when someone is not around. The song captures the complexity of relationships, the joy that comes with love and the sadness that accompanies its absence. The lyrics show that love is not only about happiness and joy but also about pain and the yearning for someone. Al Jarreau's soulful voice brings the lyrics to life, conveying the emotion and depth of the words.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
The sun seems to disappear when she's not around
It's not warm when she's away
The warmth disappears too whenever she's not here
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
The sun never shines as bright as when she's near
She's always gone too long
Her absence always feels like an eternity
Any time she goes away
Whenever she leaves, everything seems to turn dark
Wonder this time where she's gone
I always wonder where she goes and what she does when she's not with me
Wonder if she's gone to stay
I'm afraid she might not come back one day
And this house just ain't no home
Without her, the place where we live feels empty and lifeless
I know, I leave the young thing alone
I am aware that I am the reason for her absence
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
I feel like everything is missing when she's not here
Home is darkness several days
The place that should be a source of comfort and light is now dark and gloomy
Any time she goes away
Everything seems to lose its brightness and warmth when she's not around
Any time she goes away
Her absence makes me feel like everything is incomplete
Any time she goes away
I can't wait for her to come back and light up my life again
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bill Withers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind