Canadian singer and songwriter Neil Young includes his personal garage band… Read Full Bio ↴Canadian singer and songwriter Neil Young includes his personal garage band Crazy Horse ("second best backing band in the world") to make raw and unpolished rock. Their gritty style of rock has influenced countless artists and music styles.

Crazy Horse is best known for its long association with Young, despite having released five albums of its own over a 19-year span. It has been co-credited with Young as Neil Young and Crazy Horse on 15 albums, "Americana" and "Psychedelic Pill" from 2012 being the latest.

The band recorded a concept album entitled "Greendale" (2003) that told the story using metaphors of murder and crime to represent the destruction of a small town community. The final song "Be The Rain" is one of Neil's classic epics, pleading for the world to be like the rain -- recycle and conserve to save our planet.

Discography: the studio albums "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere" (1969), "Zuma" (1975), "Rust Never Sleeps" (1979), "Re-ac-tor" (1981), "Life" (1987), "Ragged Glory" (1990), "Sleeps With Angels" (1994), "Broken Arrow" (1996), Greendale (2003), "Americana" (2012), Psychedelic Pill (2012) and live albums "Live Rust" (1979), "Weld" (1991), "Year of the Horse" (1997), "Live at the Fillmore East" (2006)

Bright Sunny Day
Neil Young & Crazy Horse Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If you wake up in the morning light
Something doesn't seem
or know is right
Lay back and let your feeling show
Come on and let the people know
Oh, that's the price that you pay
Oh, that's the price that you pay.

Just ?? money
Your baby ??
??
Now come on boys,??
Oh, that's the price that you pay
Oh, that's the price that you pay.

Oh, that's the price that you pay
Oh, that's the price that you pay.

Bad news is just an excuse
Get down and
let yourself keep loose
Go on and live for tomorrow
So much spent today in sorrow

Oh, that's the price that you pay
Oh, that's the price that you pay.

Overall Meaning

"Bright Sunny Day" by Neil Young & Crazy Horse is a somewhat enigmatic song that seems to convey a message of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. The lyrics suggest that waking up to a feeling that something is not right is a common experience, but instead of dwelling on it, the song encourages listeners to let their feelings show and let the people around them know. This can be interpreted as a call for vulnerability and authenticity, urging individuals to express their true emotions rather than suppressing them.

The repeated line "Oh, that's the price that you pay" indicates that there is a cost to be paid for this level of honesty and openness. It implies that being true to oneself and embracing vulnerability comes with its own set of challenges and sacrifices. It might require breaking away from societal norms or facing potential criticism and judgment.

The lyrics also hint at the theme of materialism and the fleeting nature of wealth. The lines "Just ?? money" and "Your baby ?? / ??" suggest that money and possessions are not the key to happiness or fulfillment. Instead, the song emphasizes the importance of living for tomorrow, looking forward to a brighter future, and not allowing the sorrows of today to consume one's spirit. In essence, "Bright Sunny Day" encourages listeners to let go of the past, embrace their emotions, and strive for a better tomorrow.

Line by Line Meaning

If you wake up in the morning light
If you start your day with clarity and optimism

Something doesn't seem or know is right
When you feel that something is off or uncertain

Lay back and let your feeling show
Relax and express your emotions openly

Come on and let the people know
Share your true self with others

Oh, that's the price that you pay
Acknowledging the consequences of your actions

Just ?? money
Merely chasing after wealth

Your baby ??
Your loved ones may be affected

??
Unclear line, unable to provide meaning

Now come on boys,??
Now, let's all come together and face it

Oh, that's the price that you pay
Again, emphasizing the consequences

Oh, that's the price that you pay
Repeating the theme of consequences