School friends Trevor Brice (vocals), Tony Goulden (guitar), Dick Allix (drums), and Tony Jarrett (bass) formed the band in Kent in 1966, originally calling themselves The Avengers. They played local clubs and were spotted by entrepreneur Roger Easterby who became their manager and producer. Having changed the name of the band to Vanity Fare after the novel Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray, they signed to Page One Records (a division of Bell Records). Vanity Fare achieved a U.K. hit single with their first release, a cover of "I Live for the Sun" (originally recorded by The Sunrays in 1965) in 1968. Following two more singles, "Summer Morning" and "Highway of Dreams", both of which failed to make the U.K. Singles Chart, they released their biggest U.K. hit, "Early in the Morning". Written by Mike Leander and Eddie Seago, it reached number eight in the U.K.y in August 1969 and number twelve in the U.S. in early 1970.
For their next release "Hitchin' a Ride" they added keyboardist Barry Landemento the group. "Hitchin' a Ride", written by Peter Callander and Mitch Murray, gave them a million-selling hit reaching number five in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number sixteen in the U.K. in January 1970. This disc received a gold disc awarded by the Recording Industry Association of America.
The hit was preceded by a tour of the United States, following which both Dick Allix and Tony Goulden left the band and were replaced by guitarist and singer Eddie Wheeler and drummer Mark Ellen.
Two more singles followed before the end of 1970; Mike Leander and Eddie Seago's "Come Tomorrow" and Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway's "Carolina's Coming Home", both of which failed to enter the charts on either side of the Atlantic.
Over the next couple of years more singles were released including Tony Macaulay's "Better by Far" on DJM Records in 1972, but none of them entered the charts. Following this they decided to concentrate on live performances touring Europe, where they were having hit singles. Following the mid 1970s, and amid many band member changes (including the departure of Tony Jarrett, replaced by Bernie Hagley), the group recorded only sporadically. In 1986, the band attempted to represent the U.K. in the Eurovision Song Contest, finishing third in the UK heat of A Song for Europe, with the song "Dreamer" featuring Jimmy Cassidy on vocals, Phil Kitto on keyboards alongside long time members Ellen, Wheeler and Bernie Hagley. In 2007 they toured alongside P. J. Proby.
They are still together today with a line up of Hagley, Wheeler, Ellen, and Steve Oakman.
I Live For The Sun
Vanity Fare Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sun, Sun, Sun, Sun
I live for the sun
Because it makes fun
Pretty girls with their guys
Such a love you can′t hide
They, They all live for the sun.
Sun, Sun, Sun, Sun,
Sun, Sun, (We-e-ooo-ooh) Sun, Sun,
My girl, My girl and me
We can stay right by the sea
Then we'll love in this way
In the sun, every day
We... We all live for the sun.
Sun, Sun, Sun, Sun,
Sun, Sun, (We-e-ooo-ooh) Sun, Sun,
Sunsets are for lovers
And dancing mothers
Oh! and little girls and there brothers
They all live for the sun.
Sun, Sun, Sun, Sun,
Sun, Sun, (We-e-ooo-ooh) Sun, Sun,
Listen - listen son,
Don′t be - don't be a Joaner
Take this girl by the hand
Walk with her through the sand
Always, yes always
We gota live live for the sun
Sun, Sun, Sun, Sun,
Sun, Sun, Sun, Sun,
Sun, Sun, Sun, Sun,
Sun, Sun, Sun, Sun,
Sun, Sun, Sun, Sun,
Sun, Sun, Sun, Sun...
The lyrics of Vanity Fare's "I Live For The Sun" are a celebration of the joys of summer and the happiness it brings. The band sings about their infatuation with the sun, which to them represents a time of carefree joy, youthfulness and romance. The first verse speaks of young love blossoming in the sun, with pretty girls and their partners displaying their affection in plain sight. The chorus repeats the phrase, "We all live for the sun," emphasizing the theme of the song.
The second verse emphasizes the pleasures of spending time by the sea and enjoying the warmth of the sun. In the same vein, the third verse extends to the pleasures of watching the sunset with loved ones. The band emphasizes that even children find joy in the sun, dancing and playing in its warmth.
The final verse is a piece of advice from the band to younger listeners. They suggest taking a loved one by the hand and walking with them through the sand, living always for the sun. For Vanity Fare, the sun represents more than just light and heat; it represents the joys of life that they are living for.
Line by Line Meaning
Sun, Sun, Sun, Sun,
Sun, Sun, Sun, Sun
The repeated reference to the sun sets the tone of the song as a celebration of summer and everything that comes with it.
I live for the sun
Because it makes fun
The sun brings joy and excitement to life, making it worth living.
Pretty girls with their guys
Such a love you can't hide
They, They all live for the sun.
The sun shines a light on romance, bringing out the beauty and love between couples.
My girl, My girl and me
We can stay right by the sea
Then we'll love in this way
In the sun, every day
We... We all live for the sun.
The beach is the perfect place to enjoy the sun with the person you love, and it's why we all look forward to summer.
Sunsets are for lovers
And dancing mothers
Oh! and little girls and their brothers
They all live for the sun.
The sunset has a romantic quality that brings out the best in people, and it's something that everyone can appreciate, even children and their families.
Listen - listen son,
Don't be - don't be a Joaner
Take this girl by the hand
Walk with her through the sand
Always, yes always
We gotta live live for the sun
The singer is offering advice to a younger person to embrace the sun and all the romantic opportunities it brings, rather than being a homebody (a 'Joaner').
Sun, Sun, Sun, Sun,
Sun, Sun, Sun, Sun,
Sun, Sun, Sun, Sun,
Sun, Sun, Sun, Sun,
Sun, Sun, Sun, Sun,
Sun, Sun, Sun, Sun...
The repetition of the sun motif reinforces that this song is about the pleasures of summer and the importance of enjoying life in the moment.
Writer(s): Rick Henn
Contributed by Ellie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-ip9yu7lp1q
I Live for the Sun
Vanity Fare
Produced by Des Champ & Roger Easterby
Album Early in the Morning
[Intro]
Sun, sun, sun, sun
Sun, sun, sun, sun
[Verse 1]
I live for the sun (Sun, sun, sun, sun)
Because it makes fun (Fun, fun, fun, fun)
[Chorus 1]
Pretty girls with their guys
Such a love you can't hide
Play, they all live for the sun
[Verse 2]
My girl, my girl and me (Sun, sun, sun, sun)
We will stay right by the sea (Fun, fun, fun, fun)
[Chorus 2]
Then we'll love in this way
In the sun every day
We, we all live for the sun
[Bridge]
Sunsets are for lovers
And dads and mothers
Oh and little girls, and their brothers
They all live for the sun
[Verse 3]
Listen, listen son (Sun, sun, sun, sun)
Don't be, don't be a Jonah (Fun, fun, fun, fun)
[Chorus 3]
Take this girl by the hand
Walk with her through the sand
Always, yes always
We gotta live for the sun
@cafsixtieslover
I saw them sing this in concert in Sixties Gold last week. Great song.
@kingofallwhites
None of these guys are still in the current version of the band. No originals left in it.
@iankettle3637
at this moment in time i am 18 again it dont get any better than the sixties
@GreasyFilms-qc1xo
Turtlenecks and suit jackets is a nice look.
@stingray4real
Cover version of the Sunrays tune who were managed by Murry Wilson the ex Beach Boys Manager.
@kingofallwhites
He probably wrote it too. I know he’s not in the credits as a writer but suspect he did.
@curtisheddins5878
Nope, this was written by The Sunrays. From ‘86-‘92 I was a bandmate of their bassist, Vince Hozier, so I got it from a solid source.😊
@bluebirdlinda7746
Lovely and sweet!
@josephinerimmer6888
Ah! To be 13 again. Happiest of times.
@user-ip9yu7lp1q
I Live for the Sun
Vanity Fare
Produced by Des Champ & Roger Easterby
Album Early in the Morning
[Intro]
Sun, sun, sun, sun
Sun, sun, sun, sun
[Verse 1]
I live for the sun (Sun, sun, sun, sun)
Because it makes fun (Fun, fun, fun, fun)
[Chorus 1]
Pretty girls with their guys
Such a love you can't hide
Play, they all live for the sun
[Verse 2]
My girl, my girl and me (Sun, sun, sun, sun)
We will stay right by the sea (Fun, fun, fun, fun)
[Chorus 2]
Then we'll love in this way
In the sun every day
We, we all live for the sun
[Bridge]
Sunsets are for lovers
And dads and mothers
Oh and little girls, and their brothers
They all live for the sun
[Verse 3]
Listen, listen son (Sun, sun, sun, sun)
Don't be, don't be a Jonah (Fun, fun, fun, fun)
[Chorus 3]
Take this girl by the hand
Walk with her through the sand
Always, yes always
We gotta live for the sun