Among the hundreds of artists he's worked with include Phil Ochs, Tim Buckley, Haruomi Hosono, The Byrds, Rufus Wainwright, Harry Nilsson, Randy Newman, Ry Cooder, U2, Joanna Newsom, Inara George, Keith Moon, Frank Zappa, Harpers Bizarre, Little Feat, Ringo Starr, Silverchair, and Skrillex.
In addition to producing, Parks has released seven studio albums of his own recordings: Song Cycle, Discover America, Clang of the Yankee Reaper, Jump!, Tokyo Rose, Songs Cycled, and with Brian Wilson, Orange Crate Art. He has also released a live album, Moonlighting: Live at the Ash Grove. His first official release was the 1966 single Number Nine, a modernized version of Beethoven's 9th backed with Do What You Wanta.
Parks has also established himself in film scores, and over the years has directed, arranged, produced, and composed soundtracks for a great number of motion pictures and television shows.
During his childhood, Parks became extremely fond of old-style American music, most notably the sounds of Tin Pan Alley. This interest in Depression-era songwriting would correlate heavily with his artistic goals and interests during the 1960s and beyond. He was also deeply affected by musicians Spike Jones and Les Paul, which led him to develop an interest with studio experimentation in the form of pop music.
Come to the Sunshine
Van Dyke Parks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hang your ups and down you comes to the sunshine
Come to the sunshine
You know I know you know that I love you
Weather here could not be finer
It suits to sail off Carolina shore
I'll tell you more and more over
In the sun-swept afterglow
I know I'm a fool, but I'm hoping that you'll be
Mine in time
Sailboats sail by two-by-two by
I think a lot of you I
Really doubt you think about me
Like I do you
Come to the sunshine
To the sunshine
You know I know you know that I love you
While they play the White Swan Serenade
Cornered, struck, I watched them promenade
They're comforted, got it made over
Dunn and Bradstreet, Vanity Fair
Who wears what, how much, and who's been where
But I really don't care
The lesson we share
Come to the sunshine
Hang your ups and down you comes to the sunshine
Come to the sunshine
You know I know you know that I love you
Van Dyke Parks's song "Come to the Sunshine" is an upbeat and bright tune that encourages someone to let go of their troubles and enjoy the good things in life. Through the use of vivid imagery and wordplay, Parks paints a picture of a sunny day on the Carolina shore, where sailboats drift by and cotton threads keep him cool. He admits to being a bit of a fool in hoping that his love interest will reciprocate his feelings, but he remains upbeat and optimistic nonetheless. The lyrics also touch on the idea of social class and status, with references to Dunn and Bradstreet and Vanity Fair, but ultimately convey the message that none of that matters as long as you can come to the sunshine and enjoy life.
The opening lines of "Come to the Sunshine" serve to set the tone and message of the song. By encouraging the listener to "hang your ups and down" and "come to the sunshine," Van Dyke Parks is urging them to let go of their worries and embrace the positive things in life. The continued repetition of the phrase "come to the sunshine" reinforces this message, and the lively melody and instrumentation help to create a joyful and carefree atmosphere.
One interesting aspect of the song is the way that it incorporates a range of musical styles and influences. Parks was known for his experimentation with different genres, and "Come to the Sunshine" features a mix of folk, pop, and rock elements. The song was also notable for its intricate vocal harmonies, which were influenced by Parks's work as a session musician for Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys. Overall, the song reflects Parks's unique creative vision and his willingness to push musical boundaries.
Line by Line Meaning
Come to the sunshine
I urge you to embrace happiness and leave behind your troubles.
Hang your ups and down you comes to the sunshine
Let go of your worries and enjoy the positive energy of the sun.
You know I know you know that I love you
I want you to know that I care about you deeply and I hope you feel the same way.
Weather here could not be finer
The weather is perfect for sailing off the coast of Carolina.
It suits to sail off Carolina shore
The conditions are ideal for sailing on the waters off the coast of Carolina.
I'll tell you more and more over
I will share more details with you as time goes on.
Cotton threads to keep me cool
I am wearing clothing made from cotton to keep me comfortable in the heat.
In the sun-swept afterglow
Watching the sunset in the warm light of the sun is a lovely experience.
I know I'm a fool, but I'm hoping that you'll be
I may be naive, but I am still hoping that you will feel the same way about me.
Mine in time
I hope that someday you will be with me and we can be happy together.
Sailboats sail by two-by-two by
I see the sailboats passing by in pairs.
I think a lot of you I
I think about you often and admire you greatly.
Really doubt you think about me
I am not sure if you think about me the way I think about you.
Like I do you
I think about you constantly and want to be close to you.
While they play the White Swan Serenade
As the orchestra plays a beautiful piece of music, I am lost in thought.
Cornered, struck, I watched them promenade
I am struck by the beauty of the scene before me and cannot look away.
They're comforted, got it made over
Others seem to be at ease and content, enjoying their lives.
Dunn and Bradstreet, Vanity Fair
The names of influential publications suggest that society prizes wealth and status.
Who wears what, how much, and who's been where
People are judged by their clothes and travel experiences, reinforcing a culture of materialism.
But I really don't care
Despite the pressure to conform to societal norms, I choose to focus on what makes me happy.
The lesson we share
We can all learn to prioritize love and joy over the superficial values of society.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: VAN DYKE PARKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
A.design January
Come to the sunshine
Hang your ups and down you comes to the sunshine
Come... to the sunshine
You know, I know, you know, that I love you
[Verse 1]
Weather here could not be finer
It suits to sail off Carolina's shore
I'll tell ya more and more over
Cotton threads to keep me cool
In the sun-swept afterglow
I know I'm a fool
But I'm hoping that you'll be
Mine in time
[Verse 2]
Sailboats sail by two-by-two by
I think a lot of you I
Really doubt you think about me
Like I do you
We could laugh it all off
Of course I'd act on your behalf
Half of me would be
Forever together
[Chorus]
Come to the sunshine
Hang your ups and down you comes to the sunshine
Come... to the sunshine
You know, I know, you know, that I love you
[Middle 8]
While they play the White Swan Serenade
Cornered, struck, I watched them promenade
Comforted -- got it made over
Dunn and Bradstreet, Vanity Fair
Who wears what, how much, and who's been "where"
But I really don't care
Unless we share
[Verse 3]
I have missed you since when
Went down to Port-au-Prince
Wicked way you rub the tinsel
Off my independence day
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I want everyone and only
We should sail together
[Chorus]
Come to the sunshine
MikeBlitzMag
Absolutely magnificent, as is Harpers Bizarre's version on Warner Brothers.
Roger Wilco
Can hear all the lyrics very clearly! :) I've never heard this version. I only thought Harpers Bizarre recorded it. Thanks a million for posting this! Cheers!
Christopher Barr
this is def musicians music, very pleasing to people with a taste for jazz and classical. after a while the musician's brain craves something a little more, peculiar, dissonant and filled with surprises. this music is great and keeps the mind wandering and wondering. good shit
countrypaul
Still an amazing piece of wonderous music. Parks was an amazing genius - most likely, still is. I got this on 45 when it was new; loved it ever since, but always wished for it to be in stereo. (By the way, I think the lyric is "Hang your ups and down your cups to the sunshine.")
Front Row & Backstage on Substack
Tandyn Almer was on his way toward Parks-like enigmatic pop prominence had his mental issues and other distractions hadn't deterred him. His start seemed to portend a promising career!
Jeff
"Hang your ups and down you comes to the sunshine."
Will Harris
It's morning here, but this song is fun to listen to any time of the day.
Dejael Long
Great 1966 song! Van Dyke Parks redid this song a year later at Warner Bros. and produced another version of this song with Ted Templeman for Harpers Bizarre in 1968.
Thomas Shepherd
This version has extra lyrics. Harpers cut it in '67, but this is the definitive version. Should have been a bonus track on "Song Cycle" C!!
Roger Wilco
These were the great days of multi-tracking just getting underway. Experiments with different instruments like harpsichord here. Multi-tracked made this kind of song possible. So much control.