Claire Hamill (born Josephine Claire Hamill in Port Clarence on the River T… Read Full Bio ↴Claire Hamill (born Josephine Claire Hamill in Port Clarence on the River Tees near Hartlepool, Co. Durham, on 4 August 1954) is an English singer-songwriter. In addition to her solo career, she has collaborated with Steve Howe (of Yes) (providing vocals on Howe's 1979 song "Look Over Your Shoulder") and Wishbone Ash (guesting on their 1980 album "Just Testing", their 1981 album "Number the Brave", and joining the group for their 1981/82 tour).

Hamill began singing professionally in 1971 when she was offered a recording contract with Island Records. She has released a series albums of songs and performed in some of the world's most prestigious venues in Europe, North America and Japan.

She has written music for and appeared many times on T.V. and radio and has represented her country in the Soviet Block version of the Eurovision Song Contest where she won the journalists prize. She has had 2 no.1 successes, the first when her album Voices was no.1 in the new age charts and the second when her song You Take My Breath Away was on the number 1 album American Tune by Eva Cassidy.

She collaborated with Steve Howe (of Yes), providing vocals on Howe's 1979 song "Look Over Your Shoulder") and Wishbone Ash (guesting on their 1980 album "Just Testing" and 1981 album "Number the Brave" and joining the group for their 1981/82 tour). She has appeared on albums by Jon and Vangelis and has written lyrics for John Themis and jazz artists Morrisey Mullen, Jamie Talbot and John Critchinson.

Her subsequent releases have included an album of songs called The Lost and the Lovers and an EP called When Are Wars Won?

www.clairehamill.co.uk/

The Man Who Cannot See Tomorrow's Sunshine
Claire Hamill Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

He can't look out the window
His reflection blocks the way
And he's got no-one to talk to
But he's nothing left to say
And he daren't look at the sky
Because he's scared the sun will cry
And he's the man who cannot see tomorrow's sunshine

He never reads the paper
Because every word's the same
And they bring back broken memories
Of a man who had a name
And his life just drains away
But he has no need to stay
‘Cos he's the man who cannot see tomorrow's sunshine

When he goes out on a Thursday
That's the only day he leaves
For his unemployment benefit
And his weekly groceries
And he will never say a word
And if he does he's never heard
‘Cos he's the man who cannot see tomorrow's sunshine

And the man who once lived
Like a real human being
Is now noting his life
Never listening or seeing
He doesn't seem to realise
That his mistakes cannot last
As he draws in his sadness
And his guilt screams from the past

His existence wastes away
And he sits and cries alone
But he'd never want to change it
Because he knows the wrong he's done
And so he looks towards his end

With only darkness for a friend
And he's the man who'll never see tomorrow's sunshine

Overall Meaning

These lyrics depict the story of a man who is trapped in a cycle of sadness and regret, unable to find hope for the future. The first paragraph describes his isolation and inability to connect with others. His reflection, a symbol of his own self-image and self-awareness, prevents him from looking out the window and facing the world. Feeling like he has nothing left to say, he avoids looking at the sky, afraid that even the sun will reflect his sorrow. This establishes the theme of the man's inability to see a brighter tomorrow.

The second paragraph reveals that the man avoids engaging with the outside world altogether. He refuses to read the newspaper because it reminds him of his past, bringing back painful memories of the person he used to be. As his life slowly drains away, he sees no reason to stay engaged with the present or the future. By emphasizing the repetition of every word in the newspaper, the lyrics highlight the monotony and hopelessness that have consumed the man's existence.

The third paragraph provides a glimpse into the man's secluded routine. He only ventures out of his solitude on Thursdays, the day when he collects his unemployment benefits and buys groceries. He remains silent during his outings, as if his voice has become unheard or ignored by others. The repetition of the phrase "the man who cannot see tomorrow's sunshine" serves as a haunting reminder of his perpetual darkness and inability to find joy in life.

In the final paragraph, the lyrics describe the man's heartbreaking decline. Once a person who lived and experienced life fully, he is now merely existing, unable to truly listen or see. Despite not realizing that his mistakes and regrets are not permanent, he continues to dwell on them, allowing his guilt to consume him. The man's life wastes away in loneliness and despair, crying alone. Paradoxically, he clings to his current state, understanding that it is a consequence of his past actions. Unable to envision a brighter future, he resigns himself to a life without hope, forever blinded to the possibility of tomorrow's sunshine.

Line by Line Meaning

He can't look out the window
He is unable to see beyond himself and his own reflection.

His reflection blocks the way
His self-absorption hinders his ability to truly see and connect with the world.

And he's got no-one to talk to
He lacks meaningful connections and companionship.

But he's nothing left to say
He has lost his voice and the will to express himself.

And he daren't look at the sky
He fears facing the possibilities and beauty of the world outside.

Because he's scared the sun will cry
He believes that his presence would only bring sorrow and sadness to others.

And he's the man who cannot see tomorrow's sunshine
He is trapped in his own emotional and mental darkness, unable to envision a brighter future.

He never reads the paper
He avoids engaging with the outside world and the stories and events happening around him.

Because every word's the same
He feels that everything he encounters is repetitive and devoid of meaning or significance.

And they bring back broken memories
The words and stories trigger painful recollections of his past and the person he used to be.

Of a man who had a name
He mourns the loss of his identity and the person he once was.

And his life just drains away
He feels a sense of hopelessness and emptiness as his days pass by without purpose or fulfillment.

But he has no need to stay
He sees no reason to continue existing in this state of despair.

‘Cos he's the man who cannot see tomorrow's sunshine
He has become so blinded by his own darkness that he cannot perceive the possibilities and hope of a better future.

When he goes out on a Thursday
He only ventures out of his isolation on a specific day (Thursdays).

That's the only day he leaves
He restricts his engagement with the world to a single day, further isolating himself.

For his unemployment benefit
He relies on financial support due to his lack of employment.

And his weekly groceries
His outings on Thursdays are solely for the purpose of buying essential food items for the week.

And he will never say a word
He chooses to remain silent and avoids communication with others.

And if he does he's never heard
Even when he does speak, his words go unnoticed and unacknowledged.

‘Cos he's the man who cannot see tomorrow's sunshine
His inability to see beyond his current state prevents him from experiencing the hope and possibilities of a brighter future.

And the man who once lived
He used to have a vibrant and fulfilling existence.

Like a real human being
He recognizes that he has lost touch with his humanity and the essence of living.

Is now noting his life
He is merely observing and documenting his existence, devoid of true engagement.

Never listening or seeing
He has become deaf and blind to the world around him, numb to its beauty and lessons.

He doesn't seem to realise
He lacks awareness of the fact that his past mistakes do not define his entire future.

That his mistakes cannot last
He fails to grasp the impermanence and capacity for growth inherent in all human experiences.

As he draws in his sadness
He succumbs to his own sorrow and internalizes it, allowing it to consume him.

And his guilt screams from the past
His unresolved guilt and regrets from the past haunt him, causing anguish and distress.

His existence wastes away
He is slowly deteriorating and losing his vitality and purpose in life.

And he sits and cries alone
He endures his pain and suffering in solitude, without seeking solace or support from others.

But he'd never want to change it
He has resigned himself to his current state and does not desire or believe in the possibility of change or redemption.

Because he knows the wrong he's done
He carries the weight of his past mistakes and believes he deserves his current despair.

And so he looks towards his end
He anticipates the eventual conclusion of his life, viewing it as the only escape from his suffering.

With only darkness for a friend
He finds solace and companionship in his own darkness and despair, embracing it rather than seeking light and hope.

And he's the man who'll never see tomorrow's sunshine
He is resigned to a future devoid of hope and happiness, forever unable to experience the beauty and possibilities that lie ahead.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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