Ain't No Sunshine
Paul McCartney Lyrics


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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
Only darkness every day
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And this house just ain't no home
Any time she goes away

I wonder this time where she's gone (Ooh ooh)
Is she really goin' to stay (Oh yeh, yeh, yeh, yeh)
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
She's always gone too long
Any time she goes away (Oh yeh, yeh)

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, I know, I know, I know
That I can't leave no thing alone
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone (woo-ooh)

Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
Is she really goin' to stay
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And she's always gone too long
Anytime she goes away, anytime she goes away




Anytime she goes away, anytime she goes away
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Ain't No Sunshine" by Paul McCartney express the emptiness and sadness that the singer feels when his lover is away. The repetition of the phrase "ain't no sunshine when she's gone" emphasizes the deep and profound impact that the lover has on the singer's life. The lack of sunshine in the singer's life is not just a literal reference to the absence of sunlight, but rather a metaphor for the happiness and joy that his lover brings into his life. Without her, his life is empty, dark, and joyless.


The second verse reveals the uncertainty and insecurity that the singer feels about his relationship. He wonders if his lover is really going to stay with him or whether she will leave him again. This anxiety further emphasizes how deeply his lover's absence affects him. He acknowledges that he can't leave her alone, indicating that he is emotionally dependent on her, and without her, he has nothing.


Overall, "Ain't No Sunshine" is a powerful expression of love and the impact that one person can have on another's life. The repetitiveness of the lyrics and the haunting melody add to the emotional weight of the song, making it one of McCartney's most memorable and enduring tracks.


Line by Line Meaning

Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
The absence of the woman causes a lack of light and happiness


Only darkness every day
Without her presence, there's only sadness and gloominess


And this house just ain't no home
The woman brings warmth and comfort to the home, without her, it feels empty


Any time she goes away
Every time she leaves, the happiness goes with her


I wonder this time where she's gone (Ooh ooh)
The singer is uncertain about the whereabouts of the woman


Is she really goin' to stay (Oh yeh, yeh, yeh, yeh)
The singer is worried that she may not return this time


She's always gone too long
The woman's absence always feels prolonged and difficult for the singer


I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
The singer feels certain and convinced


That I can't leave no thing alone
The singer is unable to let go of the woman and move on


Ain't no sunshine when she's gone (woo-ooh)
The emptiness in the singer's life persists until the woman returns


And she's always gone too long
The singer reiterates the sadness and difficulty of the woman's absence


Anytime she goes away, anytime she goes away
The woman's departures always bring sadness and emptiness to the singer


Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
The woman's absence brings darkness and void to the singer's life




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Bill Withers

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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