Don't Need the Sunshine
Catatonia Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well it's a most peculiar feeling, like sunburn in the evening
With dark clouds on their way
And you think it's most unlikely life could ever shine as brightly
Once the sun has gone and the pressure's on

And the rain is here again
But you don't need the sunshine
You don't need the good times
Don't need anything anyone's giving (anyone's giving)

And i don't mind your lies so keep on talking
But do you find the change in the seasons affects you without reason?
You've greetings but nothing more to say
And you swear you'd feel much better if only summer'd last forever
But the sky is clear and you're nowhere near

And the rain is here again
But you don't need the sunshine (i don't mind the rain)
You don't need the good times (you could feel the same)
Lean on me maybe you could see it through

If you would only believe a single word is true
You don't need the sunshine
Don't need the good times
Don't need anything anyone's giving (anyone's giving)

And i don't mind your lies so keep on talking
Well i throw away my sunshines, my so-called little lifelines
Do you know what i mean?
When i decided that the answer could not be bought across the counter

My sista dista has left for good
Now the rain has gone away
And you don't need the sunshine
Don't need the good times
Don't need anything anyone's giving (anyone's giving)
And i don't mind your lies so keep on talking

Don't need the sunshine
(the rain has gone away)
Don't need the good times
Don't need anything anyone's giving
Don't need the sunshine
(the rain has gone away)

Don't need the good times
Don't need anything anyone's giving
Don't need the sunshine
(the rain has gone away)
Don't need the good times
Don't need anything anyone's giving
Don't need the sunshine
(the rain has gone away)

Don't need the good times




Don't need anything anyone's giving
And i don't mind your lies so keep on talking

Overall Meaning

The song "Don't Need the Sunshine" by Catatonia talks about the feeling of not needing anything external to feel happy or accomplished. The song starts with a peculiar feeling, like sunburn in the evening with dark clouds on their way. The lyrics indicate that even when life seems unlikely to shine brightly once the pressure is on and the sun has gone, there is no need for sunshine or good times. The rain may be here again, but the song's protagonist does not need the good times or anything that anyone is giving.


The lyrics mention how seasons' changes can affect us without reason, but the singer does not need sunshine or anything external to feel better. The singer of the song is willing to listen to lies and keep on talking but does not need good times or anything that anyone is giving. The song talks about throwing away sunshines, so-called little lifelines, just to understand that the answer could not be bought across the counter. In the end, the rain has gone away, and the singer does not need the good times or anything that anyone is giving, and he/she does not mind listening to lies.


Overall, the lyrics of the song convey a message that people may find meaningful. The song talks about how one does not require external things, such as sunshine or good times or even the truth, to be content.


Line by Line Meaning

Well it's a most peculiar feeling, like sunburn in the evening
The feeling is strange and uncomfortable, much like the sensation of having a sunburn when the day is ending.


With dark clouds on their way
The ominous clouds are approaching.


And you think it's most unlikely life could ever shine as brightly
It seems impossible that life will ever be good again.


Once the sun has gone and the pressure's on
When things get tough and the stakes are high.


And the rain is here again
The rain has returned.


But you don't need the sunshine
You don't need good times to feel good.


You don't need the good times
Good times are not necessary for happiness.


Don't need anything anyone's giving (anyone's giving)
You don't need anything that anyone is offering.


And i don't mind your lies so keep on talking
I don't care about the lies, just keep talking.


But do you find the change in the seasons affects you without reason?
Do you feel different for no apparent reason when the seasons change?


You've greetings but nothing more to say
You exchange greetings but nothing more substantial is said.


And you swear you'd feel much better if only summer'd last forever
You are certain that life would be better if only the good times lasted forever.


But the sky is clear and you're nowhere near
The weather is good, but you are not in a good place.


Lean on me maybe you could see it through
Rely on me and I will help you get through this difficult time.


If you would only believe a single word is true
If you could believe even just a single truthful word.


Well i throw away my sunshines, my so-called little lifelines
I have discarded the things that used to bring me happiness and support.


Do you know what i mean?
Do you understand what I am saying?


My sista dista has left for good
My close female friend or family member has left permanently.


Now the rain has gone away
The rain has stopped.


Don't need the sunshine
Good times are not necessary for happiness.


(the rain has gone away)
The rain has stopped.


And i don't mind your lies so keep on talking
I don't care about the lies, just keep talking.


Don't need the good times
Good times are not necessary for happiness.


Don't need anything anyone's giving
You don't need anything that anyone is offering.


(the rain has gone away)
The rain has stopped.


Don't need the good times
Good times are not necessary for happiness.


Don't need anything anyone's giving
You don't need anything that anyone is offering.


(the rain has gone away)
The rain has stopped.


Don't need the good times
Good times are not necessary for happiness.


Don't need anything anyone's giving
You don't need anything that anyone is offering.


And i don't mind your lies so keep on talking
I don't care about the lies, just keep talking.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JONES, MATTHEWS, POWELL, RICHARDS, ROBERTS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@steveholton3696

An absolutely glorious song. One of the best songs by a Welsh artist

@neotex555

This is the kind of song that whisper into your heart, and makes you feel sad but better at the same time, then you realize that life is pure melancholy and you cant do nothing about, but enjoy it. My favorite song from international velvet. Definitly, part of the soundtrack of my life.

@rainbowcrystaluk

Soundtrack to my youth!!! I love this album and all the Catatonia albums...

@whygothic

i bought the cd with my lunch money, no small amount. played the damn thing till it's scratched beyond salvation... 1998..wow...

@tonypierson6514

best song catatonia ever did, simple sweet and a pure gem.

@fullst0pfilms

This song came out when I was living in Dublin, Ireland and was very homesick for the U.S.. It was very apt to the constant overcast and pissing rain weather. I too played this album until it disintegrated. Love it!

@imranruslan2552

yeah me too!! and beng broke back then, if the album disintegrated. Thats the end of listening to their songs over and over again.In the past there wasnt any youtube as well...you just switch on MTV hoping they will play their songs...haizzz....good times eh?
REPLY

@aeolusia

Still listening in 2018.

Love you.

@TheJessiebbz

i grew up in the 90's and my elder sister was always playing this song! so i can remember being about seven years old listening to this :D

@jinx31415

This was the first song I ever learned to play on guitar, nearly 13 years ago. It's amazing reading all the memories that people have attatched to this song. They were a genuinely stunning band in their time. <3

More Comments

More Versions