Sunshine

Album: Back Stabbers (1972)
Charted: 48
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Along with "Who Am I" and "When the World's at Peace," this was one of three songs that the team of Bunny Sigler and Phil Hurtt wrote for the Back Stabbers. Sigler and Hurtt worked out of Philadelphia International Records, writing, producing and singing backup for Joe Simon, Jackie Moore, The Stylistics and many other acts. In a Songfacts interview with Phil Hurtt, he talked about writing the lyric for "Sunshine":

    "A lot of times when I'm trying to come up with a lyric or a feel, I write something that I would like to say, something I'm looking for. I can go into my imagination and imagine this person, this woman in my own life, and what I would say to her. When I was in the service in Alaska I would write letters for my friends to their girls, and these guys would always receive these tremendous accolades for their letters I had written: 'Oh, my wife was so happy that I said that.'

    So carrying that forward, when I started writing lyrics, I did the same thing. I'd go back into myself, my inner self, and imagine what I would say. So when I say, 'You're the sweetest thing I know, you dim the rainbow's glow. There's no power on this earth that would separate us,' that's where I am."
  • In 1974, a live version was released as "Sunshine (Part II)," which is the version that charted at #48 in America. It was extracted from their album The O'Jays Live in London.

Comments: 1

  • Stefano from BknysusaThe motherlode of affection, works every time.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.