11 Songs About the Sun, Sunshine, or Sunniness features music courtesy of Alice in Chains, Death Cab for Cutie, Jack Harlow, and Luke Bryan. 

“You are the sunshine of my life”. “Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone”. “But losing you again, is like the sun going down on me”.  Those are just a few gems that a centered around the sun.  And guess what, none of the three are featured on this sunshine-oriented playlist! For years, musicians and songwriters have been writing about the sun in some capacity, often associating it with love, carefree summer days, and such.  That said, there are also instances where the connotation isn’t all ‘sunny’ you might say, making our bright, burning star quite the versatile theme. 11 Songs About the Sun, Sunshine, or Sunniness features music courtesy of rock band Alice in Chains, alternative rock band Death Cab for Cutie, Kentucky rapper Jack Harlow, and country singer Luke Bryan among others.

1. Alice in Chains, “Red Giant”

Rainier Fog • BMG Rights Management • 2018

“Blowing up like a red giant, expansive, a star / And I’m coming to burn this down and laugh my ass off.” Unique lyrics to say the least.  Prefacing “Red Giant,” in 2018, iconic rock band Alice in Chains returned with their highly-anticipated sixth studio album, Rainier Fog, a well-rounded project that ultimately doesn’t disappoint. In the context of Rainier Fog, “Red Giant” rolls right along soundly, keeping the album dark, yet incredibly endearing.  Okay, maybe ‘endearing’ isn’t the right word – more like appeal.  Nonetheless, the ‘old-school’ rock sounds keep on being an awesome gift.

Beyond the song, what is a red giant? Well, since you asked, according to Space.com, “a red giant star is a dying star in its last stages of evolution.” Contributor Nola Taylor Redd goes on to write, “in only a few billion years, our own sun will turn into a red giant star, expand and engulf the inner planets, possibly even Earth.” Cool science of course, but pretty scary for whoever is around billions of years after all of “kick the bucket.” Yeah, maybe this one isn’t too sunny…

2. Jack Harlow, “Sundown”

Loose • Generation Now / Atlantic • 2018

“I’m off a tab of that synthetic / Sundown, forty-five minutes ‘til this shit set in / Checking for the kid, I had to chin check him / Big move, and we teach ‘em big lessons over here.” If you haven’t had the pleasure of hearing Jack Harlow yet, you’re totally missing out.  The young rapper from Louisville, Kentucky doesn’t look like your typical hip-hop artist, but proves he has bars throughout the short and sweet single “Sundown” from his debut major-label project, Loose (Note: he’s released two projects 18 and Gazebo in 2016 and 2017 respectively).

“Sundown” features a killer beat that’s incredibly rhythmic and groovy to the nth degree. Furthermore, the production is blessed with a keyboard loop that sounds like a mix of synth, accordion, and organ.  The effect? Jack Harlow has that southern-rap backdrop, set in a minor key.  Naturally, the kid eats it up. Harlow has an awesome flow.  His confidence is infectious.  Furthermore, he’s got Kentucky pride and his wordplay is stellar.

3. Vance Joy, “Saturday Sun”

Nation of Two • Atlantic • 2018 

Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy returned in 2018 with an enjoyable, thoughtful, and well-rounded sophomore album, Nation of Two.  The sophomore album by the artist of “Riptide” fame includes gems such as “Lay It on Me”, “We’re Going Home” and “Like Gold”.  While the song at hand, “Saturday Sun,” wasn’t picked a ‘gem’ within the album review, there is no shame it its game.  “Saturday Sun” is chocked-full of energy and exuberance.  That checks off a box, right?  Joy continues to sing effortlessly. Another box checked. Notably, “Saturday Sun” features ample ukulele.  Can’t go wrong with the uke, so that’s another box checked, regardless of the day of the week.

4. Five Finger Death Punch, “Will the Sun Ever Rise”

And Justice for None • Prospect Park • 2018

“I take one step forward and two steps back / It’s always been like that, it shouldn’t be like that.” Amen…maybe not the most appropriate response to a metal record, of course. Five Finger Death Punch has a way with darkness, hellishness, and pessimism.  Yeah, all three of those are bad, but they often combine together to make a compelling, kickass, hard-rocking record. Turned up, quasi-metal ballad (emphasis on ‘quasi’) “Will the Sun Ever Rise” is definitely not optimistic, evidenced throughout the song, including the chorus.

“Hey, hey you, just get out of my way

At the end of the day, you’ve got nothing to say

Hey, hey you, see the look in my eyes

Will the sun ever rise?”

5. Fall Out Boy, “Sunshine Riptide”

Ft. Burna Boy

M A N I A • Island • 2018

Sigh, if it hasn’t already been stated, Fall Out Boy didn’t have the most decorated, successful run with their 2018 album, M A N I A.  This is one of those projects that seemed doomed from the start, led by the hella awkward, clunky single, “Young and Menace.”  From there, even with some better singles released in the process, not to mention an album delay, nothing seemed to catch on in a big way for Patrick Stump and Pete Wentz, the two most visible members of the band. Unfortunately, their ‘sunny’ entry on this list is also a bit of a head-scratcher, yet worth mentioning. “Sunshine Riptide,” featuring Nigerian artist Burna Boy, is interesting but definitely odd and quirky.  The record incorporates reggae touches and busy production work.  While it isn’t that ‘go to’ bop, it certainly benefits from a solid chorus, something that M A N I A tends to do respectably despite its other range of issues.

“‘Cause I’m stuck in the sunshine riptide

Dancing all alone in the morning light

The sunshine riptide

You came back like a wave when I was feeling alright

The sunshine.”

6. Manchester Orchestra, “The Sunshine”

A Black Mile to the Surface • Loma Vista • 2017

“I already know that I don’t already know / You are the sunlight / I don’t really care if you don’t understand / You are the moonlight.” “The Sunshine” arrives as the sixth track on A Black Mile to the Surface, the 2017 album by Manchester Orchestra. As a whole, A Black Mile to the Surface is a complex album, finding each song carrying significance and playing a role to the overall narrative. “The Sunshine,” however, is brief, celebrating a truly meaningful life – frontman Andy Hull’s baby girl.

7. Jack Johnson, “Sunsets for Somebody Else”

All the Lights Above It Too • Republic • 2017

“I know I’ve seen that vacant stare / Selling sunsets for someone else.” “Sunsets for Somebody Else” is a standout from All the Lights Above It Too, the 2017 album by singer/songwriter Jack Johnson. The record definitely packs more punch than the one that precedes it, “You Can’t Control It.” The chief accompaniment is acoustic guitar, where Johnson is often at his best. While a bit vanilla, it’s a pleasant, unobjectionable song from Johnson that’s certainly not blasé.

“And oh, can this world not afford to sleep anymore? / And oh, did your sheep start jumping? / They grow out their teeth / Did they need a little something more than this?”

8. Luke Bryan, “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset”

What Makes You Country • Capitol Nashville • 2017

“Sunrise, sunburn, sunset, repeat / Moonlight, all night, crashing into me / Nothing will ever be easy as you and me / Tangled up with nowhere to be.” Luke Bryan sounds rock-solid on “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset,” continuing on in full-fledged, country mode.  He’s also incredibly carefree, not to mention being in love on this summery, beach-centric number. There’s no new ground broken or much out of the ordinary for the ole boy, but “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset” is consistent, enjoyable, and most of all, ‘sunny’.

9. Alt-J, “House of the Rising Sun”

Relaxer • Atlantic • 2017

It’s difficult to cover a classic.  Only in a few rare cases does the cover supplant the classic it follows.  Alt-J interestingly take on The Animals’ “House of the Rising Sun” on their 2017 album, Relaxer.  It’s not the truest of covers – only partially covering the 60s hit, which has become the definitive version of the traditional folk song. Essentially, the alternative collective reinvents it. Does the Alt-J take on “House of the Rising Sun” supplant the original? Of course not, but it’s certainly intriguing.

10. Grouplove, “Standing in the Sun”

Big Mess • Atlantic • 2016

In September 2016, alternative collective Grouplove returned with a new album, Big Mess, following a three-year hiatus between albums.  Was Big Mess truly a “big mess” of an album?  Not in the least, including the sunny forecast of “Standing in the Sun.” In the context of Big Mess, “Standing in the Sun” has two tough acts to follow (“Welcome to Your Life” and “Do You Love Someone”), but holds its own.  What’s clear about this sunny record is that absolutely nothing is going to derail the collective’s ‘shine’:

“I just stand in the sun

Warm my head in the sun

Run around ‘til it all stands still

I just wait in the sun.”

11. Death Cab for Cutie, “Black Sun”

 Kintsugi • Atlantic • 2015

“How could something so fair be so cruel / When this black sun revolved around you?” Alternative rock band Death Cab for Cutie brought the heat with “Black Sun,” a highlight from their 2015 album, Kintsugi.  That said, the sunshine isn’t particularly sunny on “Black Sun.” Frontman Benjamin Gibbard delivers a clear, highly-effective, relatively no-frills vocal performance over a rhythmic, minor-key backdrop.  There are some terrific guitar riffs, a stellar drum groove, and some tasteful electric keyboard/synths to spice things up.  Amplifying the awesomeness of “Black Sun” are the poetic lyrics, matching the dark tilt of the production.

“There is whiskey in the water

And there is death upon the vine

There is fear in the eyes of your father

And there is ‘yours’ and there is ‘mine’.”

Photo Credits: Atlantic, BMG Rights Management, Capitol Nashville, Island, Loma Vista, Pixabay, Prospect Park, Republic