One of the most popular black singers of the 60s, Wilson Pickett helped introduce the aggressive, rhythmic style of black music to a wide audience and has influenced almost countless rnb artists over the years. It all got started in Prattville, Alabama, where he was raised. Pickett moved to Detroit, Michigan at the age of sixteen, and he made his professional debut spending several years singing with the gospel group The Violinaires in the late 50s. From 1961 to 1963, he was in The Falcons, writing and singing their 1962 hit "I Found A Love".
Pickett then went solo and signed with Lloyd Price's Double L Records, where he wrote and recorded "If You Love Me" and "It's Too Late." In 1964, Pickett signed with Atlantic Records and did his early recordings in the Stax studio in Memphis, Tennessee with Booker T. Jones and Steve Cropper of The MGs. Cropper co-authored three of his early hits, "In the Midnight Hour" and "Don't Fight It from his debut album The Exciting Wilson Pickett that established him as a major soul star. The album also included "Ninety-Nine and a Half (Won't Do)," "She's So Good to Me," and "Land of a 1,000 Dances," all recorded at Fame Studio in Muscle Shoals.
Pickett then had hits with "Mustang Sally," "I Found a Love," and "Funky Broadway," all recorded in Muscle Shoals. Pickett then teamed with Bobby Womack in 1968 for Midnight Mover that yielded a Top 10 R7B and pop hit with Womack's title song. In 1969, Pickett had a major hit with The Beatles "Hey Jude,", followed in 1970 by "Sugar, Sugar." Later in 1970, Pickett worked with producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia. The result was two crossover hits "Engine Number Nine," and "Don't Let the Green Grass Fool You."
After crossover hits "Don't Knock My Love - Part 1" and "Fire and Water" Pickett left Atlantic for RCA, with minimum success. Pickett later recorded for several record companies, including his own Wicked label, but failed to have anymore hits.
Wilson Pickett was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.In 1999 he performed with his friend Bruce Springsteen.In 2002 he performed in the movie Only The Strong Survive.Singing his classic hits like In the Midnight hour and Land Of 1000 Dances.In 2004 Pickett retired from performing do to Health problems.Pickett told his sister he was going to the field of God but he never recovered.
On January 19,2006 Pickett died of a heart attack at his home. At his funeral long time friend Richard Pennimen (Little Richard) did a eulogy for Mr Pickett with his brothers at his funeral.
Pickett's Personal life was troubled. In 1993 he struck a pedestrian Pepe Ruiz. Later that year Ruiz died. Soul Singer Don Covay called him "Young and Wild". Pickett was arrested many times in his life.
Hello Sunshine
Wilson Pickett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hello sunshine!
Will old darkness be my friend?
Hello sunshine!
To this you can put an end
Hello sunshine!
Why don't you please come around
Hey there sunshine!
Don't let me down
Hey there sunshine!
Please come around
Hey there sunshine!
My friend!
Hey hey hey! Hey hey hey! Oh yeah! Oh yeah! [Repeat: x1]
Hello dark clouds
I don't want you round no more
Hello tear drops
Why don't you stay from my door
Hello troubles
I can't stand your face for sure
[Bridge]
Hey there sunshine!
Don't let me down
Hey there sunshine!
Please come around
Hey there sunshine!
My friend!
Hey hey hey! Hey hey hey! Oh yeah! Oh yeah! [Repeat: x2]
[Chorus]
Hello sunshine!
Will old darkness be my friend?
Hello sunshine!
To this you can put an end
Hello sunshine!
Why don't you please come around
[Bridge]
Hey there sunshine!
Don't let me down
Hey there sunshine!
Please come around
Hey there sunshine!
My friend!
Hey hey hey! Hey hey hey!
Oh yeah! Hello sunshine!
Sunshine, I need you! Hey hey hey!
I've gotta help you - hello sunshine!
When I'm down now. Hey hey hey!
Said I need you! Hello sunshine!
Please come around now! Hey hey hey!
The song Hello Sunshine by Wilson Pickett is a plea for positivity and optimism. The chorus is a repeated request for sunshine to come around and let go of the darkness that the singer has been feeling. The bridge emphasizes this need for sunshine, pleading for it not to let the singer down and to be their friend. The verses, on the other hand, are addressed to negative aspects of life such as dark clouds, tear drops and troubles, telling them to stay away from the singer's life. The overall message is one of hope for a better tomorrow, and the power of sunshine to bring about that change.
The lyrics are simple yet powerful, repeating the plea for sunshine throughout the song. Wilson Pickett's soulful voice adds depth to the song's message, and the upbeat tempo adds to the feeling of hope and optimism. The use of Hey Hey Hey! and Oh Yeah! punctuates the chorus and helps to drive the message home. The song is a classic example of 1960s soul music, a genre defined by its emotion, rhythm and blues roots, and often political/social messages.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello sunshine!
The singer is addressing the appearance of the sun and expressing their longing for it.
Will old darkness be my friend?
The singer is questioning the inevitability of darkness and negativity.
To this you can put an end
The singer hopes that the sun's appearance will rid them of their negative feelings and experiences.
Why don't you please come around
The singer is pleading with the sun to make an appearance and lift their spirits.
Hey there sunshine!
The singer continues to address the sun in a friendly manner.
Don't let me down
The singer is asking the sun to not disappoint them and to show up.
My friend!
The singer sees the sun as a close and trustworthy companion.
Hello dark clouds
The singer is acknowledging the presence of negative thoughts, feelings, or experiences.
I don't want you round no more
The singer wants to distance themselves from negativity.
Hello tear drops
The singer is acknowledging the presence of sadness and crying.
Why don't you stay from my door
The singer wants to be left alone by their sorrow.
Hello troubles
The singer acknowledges challenges and difficulties they face.
I can't stand your face for sure
The singer is expressing their dislike for their troubles.
Oh yeah!
The singer is expressing enthusiasm.
Sunshine, I need you!
The singer is reiterating their need for the sun.
I've gotta help you - hello sunshine!
The singer believes that the sun and they will help each other.
When I'm down now
The singer acknowledges that they feel down sometimes.
Said I need you! Hello sunshine!
The singer repeats their need for the sun.
Please come around now!
The singer pleads for the sun to show up soon.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jimmy Cliff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind