Originally from Monticello, New York, Joey started playing guitar at the age of five. Inspired by the sounds of Chris Whitley, Queen, Tom Petty, and the Beatles, he continued his passion for music throughout his school years and had written over 50 songs by the time he finished high school. When local musicians began to cover Joey's songs, people started to take notice of his natural raw talent. Chris Whitley noted, "What makes Joey such a deep writer and overwhelming talent, besides his god given gifts, is that ... it is all about music as an art form. He is a purist and the only young blood in music today that gives me hope."
Staying true to his belief in the purity of art, Joey decided to take a "strict artistic stand" against the big business of music and hopes to build a loyal, adult, intellectual audience of practicing artists and songwriters to further his vision. As he says, "I never felt the need to prove myself as a writer, singer, songwriter, guitar player, whatever... I only wanted to create what never existed. I had something to say, and it was important for me to say it." And say it he did.
Joey's self-produced debut album, Midnight Audio, which arrived in 2005, has sold over 40,000 copies without any label support. His upcoming album, Say Something Strong, will be released June 9, 2009 and includes original hits "Another Mistake" and "Miracle of Mind."
Well-known in the underground New York City music scene, Joey has packed the house at some of the city's most famous clubs, including the Bitter End and the Knitting Factory. He has also taken the stage at The House of Blues (Los Angeles), Boston Garden, Harvard's YardFest and South By Southwest. Joey has toured internationally both with his own band, and as the guitarist and singer in his younger brother Gavin's band. "Gavin is like a rocket. Joey is like a time bomb," says NYC's Bitter End owner Ken Gorka.
Joey has recorded with noted producers, Steve Greenwell (Joss Stones' The Soul Sessions and Mind, Body & Soul) and Jim Caruana (Beyonce's Crazy In Love). He has also collaborated with top recording artists including Joss Stone, Mountain front man Leslie West, Chris Barron of the Spin Doctors, and of course, Gavin DeGraw. In his spare time, Joey owns The National Underground, an East Village bar that he shares with his brother in Manhattan. The artist-friendly bar serves as a mecca for both well-known and undiscovered musicians.
SUNNY
Joey DeGraw Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sunny dreams, but bad memories
Of something blocking her way
May she break through them one day
So what are you to do?
Sunny, days are waiting for you to show your shadow
You'll be proud
Don't just live the nights so loud, your sins can't
Hail the angels light take on her fly by night life,
It's passing us by
While you keep telling your lies
Sunny, how will you know?
Did you have fun last evening?
What color was the ceiling?
Enjoy your early trip home and don't regret what
you've done
Cause you felt good for a while
Hail the angel's light
Take on her fly-by night life
It's passing us by
While you keep telling your lies
Sunny how will you know?
How will you know?
Sunny how will you know?
Passing us by
It's passing us by
By and by
Hail the angel's light
Take on her fly-by night life
It's passing us by
While you keep telling your lies
Sunny how will you know?
How will you know?
Sunny how will you know?
How will you know?
Sunny how will you know?
Sunny...
The song "Sunny" by Joey DeGraw is a heartfelt ballad about a person struggling to move past bad memories and obstacles in life. The lyrics convey a sense of hope and resilience, as the singer imagines a future where she can break through the blockages keeping her from experiencing sunny days.
The opening lines suggest that the singer is leaving a difficult situation behind, but still carrying the weight of past traumas. The image of "sunny dreams, but bad memories" highlights the contrast between hope and pain, and sets the tone for the rest of the song. The lines "may she break through them one day" express a wish for the singer to overcome her obstacles and find happiness.
The chorus of the song is a call to action, urging the singer to show her true self and not hide her sins in the dark. The lines "hail the angel's light, take on her fly-by-night life" suggest that there is a better, brighter path to follow, and the repetition of "Sunny, how will you know?" reinforces the idea that the singer needs to take charge of her life and find her own way forward.
The second verse of the song takes a more lighthearted tone, with the singer recounting a fun evening that she doesn't want to regret. However, the underlying message remains the same: she needs to find a way to move past her past and embrace the present. The final lines of the song repeat the chorus, emphasizing the idea that time is passing and the singer needs to act now if she wants to find true happiness.
Overall, "Sunny" is a poignant and catchy song that explores themes of resilience, hope, and personal growth. Its catchy melody and thought-provoking lyrics make it a standout track on Joey DeGraw's album.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm taking this with me
I am leaving this place but taking my memories with me.
Sunny dreams, but bad memories
I have good dreams, but they are overpowered by bad memories.
Of something blocking her way
She has an obstacle or hindrance in her life.
May she break through them one day
I hope she overcomes her obstacles one day.
So what are you to do?
What options do you have in this situation?
Sunny, days are waiting for you to show your shadow
Good times are ahead for you, and it's time to show your true self.
You'll be proud
You will feel good about who you are and what you have accomplished.
Don't just live the nights so loud, your sins can't hide in the dark
Stop living recklessly and doing things you regret, as it will catch up to you in the end.
Hail the angels light take on her fly by night life, It's passing us by While you keep telling your lies Sunny, how will you know?
You are living a temporary, fleeting life, and you keep lying to yourself, making it hard to know what is true and real.
Did you have fun last evening?
Did you enjoy yourself last night?
What color was the ceiling?
A random question about the night before, highlighting the insignificant details.
Enjoy your early trip home and don't regret what you've done
Have a good departure and don't dwell on your past actions.
Cause you felt good for a while
You did something that felt good in the moment.
Passing us by
Time is moving quickly.
It's passing us by
Happening quickly and almost over before we know it.
By and by
Soon or eventually.
Sunny how will you know?
How will you know what's real and true in this fleeting life?
Sunny...
A final reflection on the person's situation.
Contributed by Jordan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.