AIN'T NO SUNSHINE
Withers Lyrics

The lyrics to Bill Withers's "Ain't No Sunshine" are a heart-wrenching tale of despair in love. The song explores the feeling of loneliness and emptiness that comes when a lover leaves, and how that feeling lingers even in their absence. The opening line, "Ain't no sunshine when she's gone," sets the melancholy tone of the song and immediately communicates that the singer is missing his lover.

The second line, "It's not warm when she's away," implies that the singer feels cold and unloved without his lover around. The repetition of the phrase "Ain't no sunshine" emphasizes the depth of his loneliness and creates a sense of hopelessness. The following line, "And she's always gone too long," implies that the singer has been through this before and is resigned to his fate. The last line of the first verse, "Anytime she goes away," reinforces the idea that the singer has no control over the situation and is at the mercy of his lover's whims.

The second verse further delves into the singer's feelings of hopelessness and loss. He wonders where his lover has gone and if she will return, displaying his insecurity and deep need for her presence. The line "And this house just ain't no home" suggests that he is alone in his space and that the presence of his lover is what makes it feel like a home. The use of the word "young thing" to describe his lover implies an age difference between them and highlights the dangerous nature of their relationship. The final lines of the song, "Only darkness every day/Anytime she goes away," drive home the crushing reality of the singer's loneliness.

Overall, "Ain't No Sunshine" is a poignant exploration of lost love and the emotional toll it takes on someone. Withers's powerful lyrics and emotive vocals make this song a classic that continues to resonate with listeners to this day.