Atkin did, and still does, write his own lyrics, but it was the collaboration with Clive James that produced his most famous songs. Pete Atkin and Clive James recorded six albums in the 1970s, as well as writing an album for Julie Covington, best known for her number one hit Don't Cry For Me Argentina in 1976. However, despite Atkin's popularity on the college performance circuit the records did not sell in any great numbers. When singer Val Doonican recorded a cover version of the song "The Flowers and the Wine" the royalties from that alone exceeded the total from all album sales.
SUNRISE
Pete Atkin Lyrics
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Sunlight
A razzle-dazzle kind of glamour in the sky
No more
Than just the glimmer of a star nearby and bright
I've seen it turn the trick a thousand times
Whereas for me it's just a toy
That flying horses dragged up from the sea
Sunrise
How little thought it takes, how little time it leaves
Not long
Before she wakes to dress and then she leaves your eyes
For very soon the sun will come for her
And it will carry her from you
It's seen too many men like you
To care how soon it chooses to arise
Sunshine
Already seems as if it's moving in to stay
Smiling
The wide and steady smile that says "The day is mine"
How many clever men have called the sun
A fool before today
"O unruly sun" they say
"For stepping in to take my love away"
Sunlight
It's time to make a move, it's time to rise and shine
Sunrise
Shaking your shoulder murmurs "Everything looks fine"
And takes your love away
The song "Sunrise" by Pete Atkin is a poetic representation of the emotions felt during a sunrise. The opening lines describe the sun's glamour and how it looks like nothing more than a star nearby and bright. The singer has seen this beauty a thousand times but for him, it's only a toy. That flying horses dragged up from the sea means that for the singer, the sunrise is just a figment of his imagination or a myth.
As the daybreaks, it's time for the woman to wake up and dress for the day. The singer mourns that very soon, the sun will take away his love. The sun has seen too many men like him to care how soon it chooses to arise. The woman leaves, and the sun comes for her, carrying her away from the singer. The lyrics highlight the fleeting nature of love and time.
The chorus focuses on the sunlight and sunrise as they both signal it's time to rise and shine. The singer is murmured and assured that "everything looks fine" as his love is taken away. The song ends with the singer feeling powerless as the sun takes his love, and he remains in the shadows.
Line by Line Meaning
Sunlight
The glow in the early morning sky appears grandiose and impressive, but is nothing more than a faint light of nearby stars.
A razzle-dazzle kind of glamour in the sky
The sunrise appears magnificent and theatrical.
No more
However
Than just the glimmer of a star nearby and bright
It's nothing more than a shining star beside us.
I've seen it turn the trick a thousand times
I've watched the sunrise many times before.
And send the millions wild with joy
It enthralls people with its wonder.
Whereas for me it's just a toy
However, for me, it's merely a source of amusement.
That flying horses dragged up from the sea
It's like a magical toy brought up by mythical creatures.
Sunrise
The beginning of the day.
How little thought it takes, how little time it leaves
It happens quickly and without much significance.
Not long
Before too long
Before she wakes to dress and then she leaves your eyes
And before long, your partner will wake up, dress, and leave your presence.
For very soon the sun will come for her
The sun will soon rise, and she will start her day.
And it will carry her from you
The sun will take her away from you.
It's seen too many men like you
The sun has seen many other men in your position.
To care how soon it chooses to arise
The sun doesn't care how early it rises, even if it means taking your love away.
Sunshine
The brightness of the sun hitting everything in the morning.
Already seems as if it's moving in to stay
It feels like the bright morning sun will be here all day.
Smiling
The sun seems to be happy.
The wide and steady smile that says "The day is mine"
It's as if the sun is declaring its ownership of the day.
How many clever men have called the sun
Many people have called the sun
A fool before today
A foolish entity before today.
"O unruly sun" they say
They would say "Oh unruly sun"
"For stepping in to take my love away"
For stealing my love away from me.
Sunlight
The bright, morning light.
It's time to make a move, it's time to rise and shine
It's time to get up and start the day.
Sunrise
The start of a new day.
Shaking your shoulder murmurs "Everything looks fine"
Someone shaking you awake tells you that everything is alright.
And takes your love away
As the sun rises, your loved ones will leave to start their day.
Contributed by Jayce E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.