Sanborn, who suffered from polio in his youth, has been a highly regarded session player since the mid 1970s. One of his first professional gigs was as a member of Paul Butterfield's band. One of Sanborn's earliest guest recordings was on David Bowie's Young Americans. Around this time his output as a session player became prolific and over the next ten years he played with a dazzling array of artists, such as Paul Simon, James Taylor (contributing to the remake of the Marvin Gaye classic "How Sweet It Is"), The Rolling Stones, The Eagles and Stevie Wonder.
In the late 1980s he was a regular guest member of Paul Shaffer's band on Late Night with David Letterman. From 1988-89, he co-hosted a late-night TV music show on NBC with Jools Holland. The show, "Night Music", following producer Hal Willner's eclectic approach, drew Sanborn together with many famed musicians, such as Miles Davis, Lou Reed, Santana, Curtis Mayfield, and many others.
Throughout his career, Sanborn has skirted the edges of free jazz: In his youth he studied with Roscoe Mitchell and Julius Hemphill, and performed on Tim Berne's Diminutive Mysteries, dedicated to Hemphill. His 1991 album Another Hand, produced by Hal Willner, features Charlie Haden, Jack DeJohnette, Bill Frisell, Marc Ribot, and various other players not usually associated with smooth jazz.
In television, Sanborn is well-known for his sax solo in the theme song for the NBC hit drama L.A. Law. He has also dabbled in writing for film, contributing to such scores as Lethal Weapon and Scrooged.
In 2004, David Sanborn was inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame.
You can find photographs and additional information on David's official website, www.DavidSanborn.com.
Ain't No Sunshine
David Sanborn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not warm when she's away
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And she always gone too long anytime she goes away
Wonder this time where she's gone
Wonder if she's gone to stay
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
Anytime she goes away
And I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know
Hey I'll leave the young thing alone
But ain't no sunshine when she's gone
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
Only darkness everyday
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And this house just ain't no home
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away
The lyrics of David Sanborn's “Ain't No Sunshine” express the emptiness and loneliness that comes with the absence of a loved one. The repetition of “ain't no sunshine” emphasizes the gloominess that comes with the person’s departure, emphasizing the fact that the singer’s life lacks brightness without their loved one. The lyrics express their concern and uncertainty as to where their loved one has gone and if they will come back. The emotive words evoke a sense of helplessness that is universally relatable, as anyone who has experienced the loneliness of an emptied household with a missing loved one can attest.
The lyrics that say "I know, I know, I know, I know" emphasize the singer's agitation and frustration. It's as if they are trying to convince themselves that they can handle the separation, but deep down, they know that they can't. The lyrics remind us that hopelessness is a natural reaction to the absence of someone we love, and that no matter what we do or say to reassure ourselves, it doesn’t ease our longing to be reunited with them.
Overall, “Ain't No Sunshine” is a musical portrayal of the feeling of heartache and craving that accompanies the absence of a loved one. It brilliantly captures the universal experience of loving someone whom you cannot always be with, and the emotions that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
The absence of the woman causes the sunshine to fade away
It's not warm when she's away
The lady's absence reduces the warmth and comfort of the environment
And she always gone too long anytime she goes away
The woman's absence always lasts longer than expected
Wonder this time where she's gone
The man is unsure and curious about the woman's whereabouts
Wonder if she's gone to stay
The man is uncertain if the woman has left permanently
And this house just ain't no home
The woman's absence makes the house feel empty and unwelcoming
Anytime she goes away
Every time the woman leaves, it has a negative impact on the man and his surroundings
Only darkness everyday
The absence of the woman makes every day seem dark and bleak
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bill Withers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind