In the televoting of the final show on March 19, 2004 Max defeated nine other competitors (including established artists like Scooter or Sabrina Setlur). A majority of 92,95 % of all votes made him the German entry for the 49th Eurovision Song Contest in Istanbul, where he finished eighth with 93 points.
Thereupon the singer went back to school and passed his final high school examination, before teaming up with Raab once again to finish his self titled solo album in summer 2004. The record, a mixture of Funk, Soul and Pop in German and in English language, debuted at #1 on the German album charts and spawned the singles "Schwarz Auf Weiß", "Spür Dein Licht" and "Catch Me If You Can". From May to June 2005 Max then went on a club tour across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, before touring with Katie Melua.
Currently, Max is working on his sophomore album.
Ain't No Sunshine
Max Mutzke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is not warm when she's away
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And she's 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
And this house just ain't no home
Anytime she goes away
[Bridge:]
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 ought to leave this young thing alone
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
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
Is not warm when she's away
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And she's always gone too long
Anytime she goes away
The lyrics to Max Mutzke's "Ain't No Sunshine" convey the sense of loneliness and emptiness one feels when a loved one is gone. The absence of the woman in the singer's life leaves a tangible absence, as he states "anytime she goes away." The repetition of "ain't no sunshine" emphasizes the bleakness of his situation, with the lack of light serving as a metaphor for the void he feels when she is gone. Additionally, the lyrics suggest a sense of uncertainty and even fear, as the singer wonders where the woman has gone and if she will ever return.
The bridge of the song introduces a new element, where the singer acknowledges that perhaps he should leave the "young thing" alone, suggesting that their relationship may not be entirely healthy or sustainable. This self-awareness adds depth to the lyrics and makes the singer a more complex character, as he struggles with the pain of loneliness while also grappling with his own role in the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
Life feels gloomy and sad when the one he loves is not around
Is not warm when she's away
He doesn't feel the same joy and happiness in his life when she is not with him
And she's always gone too long
The feeling of loneliness is intensified when she is not around for a long time
Anytime she goes away
Every time she leaves, it creates a void in his life that he struggles to fill
Wonder this time where she's gone
He is uncertain and worried about her whereabouts
Wonder if she's gone to stay
He fears that she may have left him for good
And this house just ain't no home
Without her presence, he feels like his home is incomplete and empty
I know , I know, I know, I know, I know
He is aware of the fact that he shouldn't get too attached to her
Hey I ought to leave this young thing alone
He knows that he should move on from this relationship with her
Only darkness everyday
Her absence brings darkness and sadness to his life every day
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bill Withers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind