Ain't No Sunshine
Sting Lyrics


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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
It's 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

And 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
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know

Hey, I ought to leave the young thing alone
But 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

Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away




Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away

Overall Meaning

Sting’s version of “Ain’t No Sunshine” is a melancholic and pensive rendition of Bill Withers’ original. This song highlights the emptiness and sadness that accompanies the absence of a loved one. The lyrics speak of the extreme dullness and lack of warmth one feels when their beloved is no longer around. The repetition of the phrase “ain’t no sunshine” emphasizes the overwhelming sense of bleakness that one feels when their significant other leaves. The lyrics also highlight the doubts and uncertainty that arise during the absence of the loved one. The line “Wonder this time where she’s gone, wonder if she’s gone to stay” is particularly resonant, as it highlights the fear and anxiety that one feels when the absence of their beloved is indefinite. This song is particularly poignant as it is sung by a man who describes himself as knowing that he ought to leave the “young thing alone,” yet is unable to because it feels like “ain’t no sunshine” whenever she leaves.


Line by Line Meaning

Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
Life loses its brightness and beauty when she is not here


It's not warm when she's away
Her absence makes the atmosphere cold and unwelcoming


And she's always gone too long anytime she goes away
Her absence feels prolonged and brings sadness every time she leaves


Wonder this time where she's gone
Curious about where she might have gone this time


Wonder if she's gone to stay
Feeling anxious that she may never come back


And this house just ain't no home anytime she goes away
Without her presence, the home feels empty and incomplete


And I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
Emphasizing the depth of understanding and recognition of her impact on his life


Hey, I ought to leave the young thing alone
Acknowledging that he should probably let her go


But ain't no sunshine when she's gone, only darkness everyday
Without her light, everything is bleak and joyless


Anytime she goes away
Reiterating the pain of her absence and how it affects everything around him




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bill Withers

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@elsabewium4450

This is the jazz we danced to in mid 60's in a hotel in Sea Point .... every night of fhe week !!! ❤❤❤

@BryantTyndall

those jimi hendrix basslines during the improv section kick ass!!

@jnl5299

Don't care who it is this is a great version.

@maximpopov8651

You might say that the universe plays the blues. ~ David Byrne.

@tyronecamp4246

Ain't no laundry when shes gone!

@necklix

@imnotroger I don't hear him either. Jeff Beck use to be very intense about unplugging and said " I will UNPLUGG FOR NO ONE! I saw him live in 2004 at RAH 2 nites, then in Bristol and that is the ONLY time I ever saw and heard him play UNPLUGGED. I also got an invitation from him to visit him after that show, and I did, was there for about 3 hours, he is a great guy.

@SwappingIsSaving

This is Sting with Dominic Miller & co playing a one-off acoustic show in Wallsend circa '91. Jeff Beck wasn't there.

@imnotroger

I found a site that lists the personnel on this date as: Sting - vocals, upright bass, acoustic guitar on "Fragile" Dominic Miller - acoustic guitar, upright bass on "Fragile" David Sancious - piano Vinnie Colaiuta - drums Special Guest Vinx - backing vocals, percussion

@ukok8177

Great voice frim sting of The police band❤

@Validole

Nevermind. It's from Sting album "Acoustic Live in Newcastle".
Wikipedia gives:
Sting – vocals, double bass
Dominic Miller – guitar
Vinnie Colaiuta – drums
David Sancious – keyboards
Kathryn Tickell – Northumbrian smallpipe (Though I guess not on this track)

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