Doesn't Take A Whole Day
Foy Vance Lyrics


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When I first saw you, baby
Something strange happened inside
Well my heart skipped a beat
But my blood raced in time
And I knew then and there
You would be part of my design
And I may be the only one to make you feel
Whole inside

Yet I knew within seconds you would be mine
Like my grandpa said
"Doesn't take a whole day to recognize sunshine."
And I remember the smell
Of rain in your hair
And the view from the window
Everything looked so small from way up there

And the way they
Your weight on me walking down the stairs
And I don't think I could ever forget
That careful, careless step
I could smell you'd been drinking
When you said "will you be mine?"
Like my grandpa said,
"Doesn't take a whole day to recognize sunshine"

I can never take you or leave you baby
You can chew me body, soul and mind
There we were
On the stairs
With your skin pressed against mine
Though you led me astray baby
At the same time it was alright
When they say, "the wages of sin is death"
But that night we sure created new life, ooh

When I saw his face, all I could see was mine
Like my grandpa said,
Doesn't take a whole day, oh no baby
Doesn't take a whole day, oh oh ooh baby
Doesn't take a whole day--I knew right then and there
It doesn't take a whole day--oh oh ooh baby
It doesn't take a whole day




Doesn't take a whole day--sing it with me babe
Doesn't take a whole day to recognize sunshine

Overall Meaning

In Foy Vance's song "Doesn't Take a Whole Day," the singer reminisces about meeting and falling in love with his partner. The song begins with him describing the intense physical reaction he had when he first saw her. He knew then that she was meant to be a part of his life. Despite sensing that she was not one to be easily won over, he felt confident that he could give her the happiness she deserved. He compares this to the way his grandfather talked about the ease of recognizing sunshine - just as it only takes a moment to know when you're in the presence of something bright and warm, he knew in an instant that his partner was the one for him.


The second verse gives more detail about the circumstances in which they met - specifically, a rainy day in which she appeared on his doorstep, presumably after having been drinking. Despite this, he was struck by her presence and the way she moved. He couldn't resist her when she asked him to be hers. Even though he knew they were making a choice that could lead to negative consequences, it didn't matter in the moment. They were creating something new and beautiful, even if it meant stepping outside the bounds of what was socially acceptable.


The song ends with the singer reflecting on the way he saw himself in his partner, and how this reinforced his belief that she was the right person for him. The repetition of the line "doesn't take a whole day to recognize sunshine" drives home the idea that sometimes it only takes a single moment to know when something is right or when someone is meant to be in our lives.


Overall, "Doesn't Take a Whole Day" is a song about taking risks in matters of the heart, even when those risks might lead to difficulty down the line. It's about recognizing that sometimes, the beauty of love and connection is worth the challenges that come with it.


Line by Line Meaning

When I first saw you, baby
From the moment I met you


Something strange happened inside
I felt something unusual within me


Well my heart skipped a beat
My heart missed a beat


But my blood raced in time
My blood pumped rapidly in synchronization


And I knew then and there
I realized instantly


You would be part of my design
You were meant to be with me


And I may be the only one to make you feel
I might be the only one who can make you whole


Whole inside
Feel complete and satisfied


Yet I knew within seconds you would be mine
I knew instantly that you would belong to me


Like my grandpa said
Similar to what my grandfather used to say


"Doesn't take a whole day to recognize sunshine."
It is easy to recognize something precious and valuable when we see it.


And I remember the smell
I recall the fragrance


Of rain in your hair
The scent of rain embedded in your hair


And the view from the window
The sight of the surrounding through the window


Everything looked so small from way up there
Everything seemed tiny or insignificant from our elevated position


And the way they
Also, how


Your weight on me walking down the stairs
The feeling and force of your body against mine as we walked down the stairs


And I don't think I could ever forget
I'm confident that I will never forget


That careful, careless step
The cautious yet relaxed manner in which you took each step


I could smell you'd been drinking
I could sense the smell of alcohol in your breath or clothes


When you said "will you be mine?"
When you asked me to be with you


I can never take you or leave you baby
I can't stand to be away from you


You can chew me body, soul and mind
You can have all of me, including my body, soul, and mind


There we were
We found ourselves


On the stairs
Sitting or standing on the staircase


With your skin pressed against mine
Our bodies were touching and embracing each other


Though you led me astray baby
Even though you sometimes misguided me


At the same time it was alright
At the same time, it was okay


When they say, "the wages of sin is death"
When they say that sinful actions lead to death or destruction


But that night we sure created new life, ooh
However, that night, we created something new and beautiful


When I saw his face, all I could see was mine
When I looked at him, I could only see my reflection


It doesn't take a whole day--oh oh ooh baby
It doesn't take a long time to recognize something valuable.


It doesn't take a whole day
It doesn't require much time


Doesn't take a whole day--sing it with me babe
It does not take long, let's sing it together


Doesn't take a whole day to recognize sunshine
It is easy to see and appreciate valuable things in life




Writer(s): Foy Vance

Contributed by Alex B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@sharonledbrook2038

Thank you Foy 💥 Abundant Blessings to your soul and yours 💚💜

@dob1997

this album is wonderful

@roverboy01

Oh my god. I love this song.

Well done Foy and thank you.

@ericastout3400

Love.