Quaye made his recording debut in 1995 on A Guy Called Gerald's "Finley's Rainbow". He scored a solo deal with Epic Records, and, in late 1997, hit the UK Top 20 twice with "Sunday Shining", a loose Bob Marley cover, and "Even After All". His reputation was established by Maverick A Strike, an adventurous but accessible album released in September 1997, which sold gold less than three weeks later and led directly to the Brit Award victory.
In 2004 the song "Dice", in collaboration with William Orbit, and featuring Beth Orton was a minor hit, helped in part by its inclusion on The O.C. soundtrack.
Sunday Shining
Finley Quaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sun is shining, the weather is sweet, yeah
Whoa, it makes you wanna move those dancing feet
For the rescue, uh, here I am
I want you to know y'all
Here I stand
I want you to know y'all
That I'm a rainbow with you
'Cause I'm a hero like Robert De Niro
I know an Ital Rasta man
I gotta to keep eye height
Protection until time
Well sun is shining, yeah, whoa
War is explosive
You got to demonstrate
Demonstrate, you got to demonstrate
Don't fight
'Cause the sun is shining
For you
There's nothing else to do
Sun is shining
The weather is sweet yeah (whoa)
It makes you wanna move those dancing feet
To the rescue, uh
Here I am
I want you to know y'all
Here I stand
As the morning gathers a rainbow
I want you to know now
That I'm a rainbow with you
Whoa whoa whoa yeah
Test the eye, test the eye
Fear no evil
Channel like a lion
Channel like a lion
Some say, yeah
Money in my
One on one
Money in my pocket
But I just can't get your love
Some say, yeah
And the sun is shining
Don't fight
And you got soul
And you're chopping it up aero
For you
There's nothing else to do
Sun is shining
The weather is sweet yeah (whoa)
It makes you wanna move those dancing feet
To the rescue, uh
Here I am
I want you to know now
Here I stand
As the morning gathers a rainbow
I want you to know now
That I'm a rainbow with you
As the morning gathers a rainbow
I'm rougher than rough
'Cause I'm a rainbow with you
Tougher than tough
Channel like a lion, yes
This is some fashion, yeah
Spiritual fashion, yeah
Whoa whoa whoa yeah
Whoa whoa whoa yeah, yeah
The lyrics to Finley Quaye's song "Sunday Shining" are upbeat and celebratory, with a focus on the joy of the present moment. The opening lines, "Sun is shining, the weather is sweet, yeah/ Whoa, it makes you wanna move those dancing feet," suggest a carefree mood and a desire to let loose and enjoy oneself. The singer positions himself as a kind of hero or savior, declaring, "For the rescue, uh, here I am/ I want you to know y'all/ Here I stand." He goes on to compare himself to the actor Robert De Niro and affirm his connection to Rastafarian culture ("I know an Ital Rasta man").
The song's chorus reinforces its message of positivity and harmony, with the lines "Sun is shining/ The weather is sweet yeah (whoa)/ It makes you wanna move those dancing feet/ To the rescue, uh/ Here I am/ I want you to know y'all/ Here I stand." The singer also references a rainbow and channels the strength and courage of a lion ("Test the eye, test the eye/ Fear no evil/ Channel like a lion/ Channel like a lion"). The song ends with the repeated phrase "Because I'm a rainbow with you," suggesting a vision of unity and interconnectedness.
Overall, "Sunday Shining" is a song about embracing life and finding joy in the present moment. It encourages the listener to let go of negativity and fear and to move towards love and light. The singer positions himself as a guide and a source of strength, but doesn't claim to have all the answers - instead, the song suggests that we can all be "rainbows" if we choose to connect with each other and with the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Sun is shining, the weather is sweet, yeah
The weather outside is perfect and it's uplifting everyone's mood.
Whoa, it makes you wanna move those dancing feet
The weather is so perfect that people just feel like dancing and moving their feet.
For the rescue, uh, here I am
I am here to help and rescue you from any trouble or problem.
I want you to know y'all
I am trying to convey an important message to all of you.
Here I stand
I am ready to face any challenge and stand firm.
As the morning gathers a rainbow
The morning feels so fresh and lively that it seems like a rainbow is forming.
That I'm a rainbow with you
I am with you and we can together bring colors and positivity like a rainbow.
'Cause I'm a hero like Robert De Niro
I consider myself a hero, just like Robert De Niro, who has played many iconic heroic roles in movies.
I know an Ital Rasta man
I have met an Ital Rasta man and gained some spiritual knowledge from him.
I gotta to keep eye height
I need to stay focused and keep my eyes on my goals.
Protection until time
I need to protect myself and those I care about until the right time comes to take action.
War is explosive
War is a destructive force and can cause massive damage and loss of life.
You got to demonstrate
You need to take action and show the world what you are capable of.
Demonstrate, you got to demonstrate
You need to keep demonstrating and showing the world what you can do.
Don't fight
Don't engage in violence or conflict, it only leads to more harm.
For you, there's nothing else to do
If you have soul and positive energy, then there's nothing else you need to do, you will naturally be happy and content.
Test the eye, test the eye
Be aware and observant, test your own eyes to see what's happening around you.
Fear no evil
Don't be afraid of anything negative or evil, face it bravely and overcome it.
Channel like a lion
Be strong and fierce like a lion, channel your inner strength and courage.
Some say, yeah, money in my, one on one, money in my pocket
Some people say that having money is everything, and they are proud of their financial success.
But I just can't get your love
Even with all the money in the world, I still feel incomplete without love and human connection.
And you're chopping it up aero
You are moving and dancing swiftly and gracefully.
I'm rougher than rough
I may seem rough and tough on the outside, but I have a sensitive and caring heart.
Tougher than tough
I am not easily intimidated and can handle challenges that come my way.
This is some fashion, yeah, spiritual fashion, yeah
I am following a spiritual path that is unique and personal to me, and it is my way of living and expressing myself.
Whoa whoa whoa yeah
Expressing joy and enthusiasm for the positive energy around us.
Whoa whoa whoa yeah, yeah
Continuing to express joy and enthusiasm for this positive energy.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Marley, Finley Quaye-McGowan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mauiwonderland
This entire album is a masterpiece from front to back!🔥
@Climber39
Agreed. This entire album is great! But this song is amazing. I’ve been listening to this song on a regular basis for nearly 20 years. It’s Still great, and it now it just makes me feel young. I hate that he hasn’t made more music.
@choppergeeza
Just downloaded it!
@choppergeeza
Searched for years to find this tune! 25+ years! Happy 2024 ya'll x
@LailaWilliams02
Forgot about this gem until I just heard it on the Train wreck Woodstock documentary. Still love this song after all these years! ❤️
@markbirchall8225
Same, I'd heard it hundreds of times at parties in the 90s but it's always been an elusive gem, I only googled it after hearing a sampling in that same documentary.
@jamiesehdev2663
Lmao no way! Same
@sergiocunha100
I was looking for the name of the song and singer for years, but I found it now in this Netflix documentary! This song is on my Playlist: Best of 1995 to 1999. More than 200 videos!!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDJwQFktIEIA-X8g-WJI5jE3Y39TbCd2G
@bobbyrayofthefamilysmith24
@Jamie Sehdev Haha same I just watched the documentary what a crazy event.
@irishbloke99
exact same! i cudnt get this song outta head lol