11 Sunny Sun Songs Sure to Brighten Up Your Day! | Playlist

11 Sunny Sun Songs Sure to Brighten Up Your Day! features music from Ariana Grande, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Dominic Fike, Ethel Cain & Morgan Wallen. 

Ah, the SUN should NEVER be taken for granted or underestimated! Sunny songs NEVER grow old. Before 11 Sunny Sun Songs Sure to Brighten Up Your Day!, the sun has been a key theme on past The Musical Hype playlists: 11 Songs About the Sun, Sunshine, and Sunniness (2018) and 13 Sunny Songs About the Sun & Sunshine (2023). The premise is the same on 11 Sunny Sun Songs Sure to Brighten Up Your Day! – all 11 songs feature some version of the sun in their respective titles (sun, sunny, sunshine, sunlight, etc.). 11 Sunny Sun Songs Sure to Brighten Up Your Day! features music from Ariana Grande, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Dominic Fike, Ethel Cain, and Morgan Wallen. So, without further ado, let’s embrace the sun in all its sunniness!

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~ Table of Contents ~

1. Ariana Grande, “eternal sunshine”

2. Jhené Aiko, “Sun / Son”

3. Dominic Fike, “Sunburn”

4. Dreamville, J. Cole & Lute, “Under the Sun” (Ft. DaBaby)

5. Ethel Cain, “Sun Bleached Flies”

6. Morgan Wallen, “Sunrise”

7. Lesley Gore, “Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows”

8. Khruangbin & Leon Bridges, “Texas Sun”

9. Enchantment, “Sunshine”

10. Natasha Bedingfield, “Pocketful of Sunshine”

11. Bob Marley & The Wailers, “Sun Is Shining”

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1. Ariana Grande, “eternal sunshine”  

eternal sunshine // Republic // 2024 

“Eternal sunshine” is the first full-length track on eternal sunshine, the seventh studio album by Grammy-winning pop superstar, Ariana Grande. “I don’t care what people say / We both know I couldn’t change you,” she sings, continuing, “I guess you could say the same / Can’t rearrange truth.” Word.  The sound of “eternal sunshine” is enticing with its urban music cues – those 808s, baby! The rhythmic melody is indelible. Never forcing things, Ariana makes vocal magic.  Furthermore, besides her terrific lead, harmonized vocals in select moments in the verse and pre-chorus provide a lift. Lyrically, in the pre-chorus, there’s an intriguing lyric: “So now we play our separate scenes / Now, now she’s in my bed… layin’ on your chest.” Hmm . The chorus is EVERYTHING – the centerpiece and crème de la crème. Part of the reason the chorus stands out is how it relates to her divorce and ‘homewrecking’ new relationship:

“Now it’s like I’m lookin’ in the mirror  

Hope you feel alright when you’re in her 

I found a good boy and he’s on my side 

You’re just my eternal sunshine, sunshine.”

Ultimately, the title track marks another awesome moment from eternal sunshine.  

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2. Jhené Aiko, “Sun / Son” 

“Sun / Son” // Def Jam Recordings // 2024 

“Sun son, sun son, sun son…” Oh, the homophones! More importantly, Grammy-nominated R&B singer/songwriter Jhené Aiko (Jhené Aiko Chilombo) is referencing her son, Noah Hasani (with rapper Big Sean) on her first single of 2024, “Sun / Son”.  “Cherish the days (Cherish the days), God bless the child…” Aiko considers Noah to be the center of her universe, embracing motherhood (“You charge me up (Sun son, sun son) / My solar power, I’m so in love”). Aiko penned the record.  She is true to self artistically and musically, while the results are positive and touching. “Your momma’s soul, and your daddy’s style / Wouldn’t you know, isn’t it wild…” Again, lyrically, “Sun / Son” centers around Noah and being the best parent for her child. Spirituality enters the mix, as she sings, “Shine on me, so I can be everything I am / Lay your lead, you’re takin’ me to the promised land.” Given the positive vibes of the songwriting, the instrumental matches the sunny vibes. The late August 08 (August Grant) and Derex Williams produced it, providing a warm backdrop for Chilombo. Some of the ear candy includes the light, rhythmic drum groove and a robust bass line. Another selling point is the layered vocals (“sun son”), which serve as a great tone setter.  Speaking of vocals, throughout, Chilombo serves up chill vocals, singing with an easygoing approach. All in all, no deep analysis is necessary on “Sun / Son” as this touching song speaks for itself.    

Appears in :  

• Bops That Pop: January 2024  

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3. Dominic Fike, “Sunburn” 

Sunburn // Sandy Boys, LLC / Columbia // 2023 

“Same shit, but different days where I’m from / Bitches droppin’ like old ladies and such.” Woo!  “Sunburn” enters the fray as the ninth track from Sunburn, the sophomore album by Dominic Fike.  It sounds Floridian, to be honest. “Sunburn” gives off chill, beachy vibes.  Furthermore, this alt-rap joint features a fitting backdrop, blending both the hip-hop and alternative facets of Fike. He impresses with his rhymes and delivers a memorably sung chorus: “Hold on, misdemeanor / Can you slow down?” Hold-up! Misdemeanor? As sunny as “Sunburn” sounds, thematically, Dominic addresses his troubled past. He is honest about his life, saying, “Baby done had a baby, now the baby daddy ain’t in the picture,” a reference to no dad in the picture, and “Mama went to jail, we was hungry, I’m on this music.” Fike produced “Sunburn” with Jim-E Stack (also, credited as a writer), Devin Workman, and Henry Kwapis. Dominic has come a long way.

 

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4. Dreamville, J. Cole & Lute, “Under the Sun” (Ft. DaBaby) 

Revenge of the Dreamers III // Dreamville / Interscope // 2019 

The rap banger “Under the Sun” commences Revenge of the Dreamers, the 2019 album credited to Dreamville.  Specifically, the song is credited to J. Cole and Lute featuring DaBaby. It was produced by Pluss, Christo, and Nice Rec and samples “I’ll Be Waiting for You”, the 1963 song by black gospel music group, The Argo Singers.  The singers are first heard in the intro performed with J. Cole. Cole raps the first verse, mentioning the sun in the opening lyric: “Nothing new under the sun, nobody fucking with son / I got a couple of sons, a couple of guns…” Specifically, he references his son and his future son. He’s confident, as always (“Sawed-off, raw dog fashion / Hauled off, hope God catch him, damn”). Notably, Kendrick Lamar (!) performs the chorus, long before their beef in 2024 (“I woke up for some money, ayy, lil’ bitch / Too many opps in here, tell me who you with, ayy”). Lute spits the second verse, commencing with a potato silencer (“Potato over my gun / I move in silence ‘cause niggas be clocking my funds”). Bold and unapologetic, Lute bites at the end, “Gold Mouf, bitch, fuck ‘em all.” Before his cancellation , DaBaby steps to the mic, matching the energy of his fellow MCs with an electrifying flow. “Bitches call me a jock, all-American / I’m at the top of my class with my lettermen.” Woo! “Under the Sun” slaps hard.  

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5. Ethel Cain, “Sun Bleached Flies” 

Preacher’s Daughter // Daughters of Cain // 2022

“Sun-bleached flies sitting in the windowsill / Waiting for the day they escape,” Ethel Cain (Hayden Silas Anhedönia) sings in the first lines of the first verse of “Sun Bleached Flies”.  “Sun Bleached Flies” is the 12th track from the trans musician’s 2022 album, Preacher’s Daughter.  Before singing, the song commences minimally with piano accompaniment.  Specifically, it sounds like an upright piano. There is a vintage, old-school aesthetic that instantly perks up the ears. Cain is the daughter of a deacon and was reared in the Southern Baptist church. While she no longer considers herself Christian, the church still plays a sizable role in her music.  It influences this conceptual project, and specifically, this song. “What I wouldn’t give to be in church this Sunday / Listening to the choir, so heartfelt, all singing,” she sings nostalgically in the first verse, adding, “God loves you, but not enough to save you.” This is thought-provoking.   

“But I don’t mind ‘cause that’s how my daddy raised me (How my daddy raised me) 

If they strike once then you just hit ‘em twice as hard 

But I always knew that in the end, no one was coming to save me 

So, I just prayed, and I keep praying and praying and praying.”

“Sun Bleached Flies” is a complex, deep record. From the conceptual perspective of Preacher’s Daughter, this is a reflective song from Ethel (also, the protagonist), who appears to be deceased. Revisit other songs from the LP, such as “A House in Nebraska” (referenced in this song) and “Ptolemaea”, and there’s more backstory and clarity. From the beginning, Cain sings authentically and expressively.  You buy what she is selling, particularly the most personal lyrics. The songwriting is stupendous. “And I spend my life watching it go by from the sidelines,” she sings in the second verse, adding, “And God, I’ve tried, but I think it’s about time I put up a fight.” After initial accompaniment by piano, the instrumental expands including the organ. Additionally, Cain receives support from background vocals. As the sub-eight-minute cut progresses, it grows grander and more dynamic. Even without the context of the concept, “Sun Bleached Flies” explores life, specifically trauma, love, and religion. 

Appears in :  

• Ethel Cain, Sun Bleached Flies: Bangerz N Bopz No. 45 (2024) 

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6. Morgan Wallen, “Sunrise”  

One Thing at a Time // Big Loud / Mercury / Republic // 2023 

Morgan Wallen is a big deal, regardless of your opinion of (1) his music or (2) his behavior. His 2023 album, One Thing at a Time has been a commercial juggernaut – unstoppable and unable to be canceled. A long album (far too long ), “Sunrise” begins the second third of the 36-track effort.  “Sunrise” was penned by John Byron and Blake Pendergrass. Joey Moi and Jacob Durrett produced this sunny track. The premise of the song is simple. Wallen can’t stop thinking about his ex and their relationship. In the first verse, he sings, “I been tryin’ to get away from you for a while now / But there ain’t no settin’ you down.” Oh, snap! In the second verse, he asserts, “Layin’ down and there you are in my Amens / Mornin’ light and you’re there on my mind again.”  

The chorus sums things up perfectly:   

“You’re my sunrise, you keep comin’ up 

You’re in every conversation, every smoky situation 

If it’s water, if it’s whiskey in my cup 

You’re the memories I’m drinkin’, you’re the thoughts I’m always thinkin’, girl.”

Even on the bridge, Morgan can’t escape! “There ain’t no blinds to close, covers to throw over my head / Ever since you left.” Ooh-wee! A country song through and through, the theme transcends country music, even with the archetypical mention of “whiskey in my cup.”  

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7. Lesley Gore, “Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows” 

Lesley Gore Sings of Mixed-Up Hearts // Mercury // 1963

“Sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows / Everything that’s wonderful is what I feel when we’re together.” Aww ! “Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows” is the fifth track on Lesley Gore Sings of Mixed-Up Hearts, the 1963 album by Lesley Gore.  A brief number, “Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows” runs just north of one minute and a half. Regardless, that’s ample time for Gore to ‘do her thing.’ “Sunshine…” was penned by Howard Liebling and Marvin Hamlisch.  Musical legend Quincy Jones produced.  A pop hit, it peaked at no. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

“Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows” is fun… and innocent.  When Lesley Gore released it, she was a teenager. Bubblegum pop wasn’t around in the early 1960s, but cutesy, playful, and tongue-in-cheek music was prevalent.  “Sunshine…” features a quick tempo with an epic groove established from the beginning.  Supporting Gore is a sound orchestration, especially those articulated horns.  Shout out to the background vocals too, which are lush and add to the depth of the sound.  Of course, Gore is the star, singing about young love! “Sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows / Everything that’s wonderful is sure to come your way / When you’re in love to stay,” she asserts on this ultra-sunny cut. A few more notes.  There is a well-executed modulation, something seldom heard in modern pop.  And fittingly, the brief but fun and memorable “Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows” gets a dramatic, grand ending.  

Appears in :  

• Lesley Gore, Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows: Throwback Vibez ️ No. 79 (2024) 

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8. Khruangbin & Leon Bridges, “Texas Sun”  

Khruangbin & Leon Bridges // Texas Sun (EP) // Dead Oceans / LisaSawyer63 / Columbia // 2020 

“You say you like the wind blowin’ through your hair / Well, come on roll with me ‘til the sun goes down.” And what kind of sun are Khruangbin and Leon Bridges referring to? That “Texas Sun,” of course! “Texas Sun” is the first track on their collaborative, 2020 EP, also titled, Texas Sun. Bridges, who handles the vocals, gets specific about Texas in the third verse, singing, “Caressing you from Fort Worth to Amarillo / Well, come on, roll with me ‘til the sun dips low.” Ooh-la-la! Musically, “Texas Sun” sounds Texan, with a soulful, folksy, country-western rock vibe, captured superbly by Khruangbin.  Spotlighting Grammy-winner Bridges once more, he excels in the vocal department, bringing a chill but potent, soulful performance filled with personality. The “Texas Sun” – sweet to the nth degree!  

Appears in :  

• These 12 Songs Are About Texas, Baby! (2024) 

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9. Enchantment, “Sunshine”  

Enchantment // Roadshow // 1976 

“Hello sunshine / It’s mighty good to see you doing fine / And although, it’s been a long, long time / I still find that you’re heavy on my mind.” Oh, those matters of the heart, Enchantment – they never fail. On “Sunshine”, the R&B collective laments a past relationship. “But there’s only one thing wrong /  I don’t see you any night when I get home,” the conclusion of the first verse plays out. Bummer! “Sunshine,” which appears on Enchantment (1976), was written by lead singer, Emanuel “E.J.” Johnson alongside producer, Michael Stokes.  Stokes puts his foot into the production, which is lush and sophisticated – idiomatic of 1970s soul.  What makes a marvelous 70s soul backdrop? Strings, keys, guitar, robust bass line.  “Sunshine” checks off all those instrumental boxes. 

Keying in on the songwriting, those pesky matters of the heart get even peskier: “Tell me, is it true what they say, baby? / That you’re married / And have a baby on the way.” Ooh-wee, that’s hard, particularly since there is still mad love from the perspective of the singer.  While that’s a key moment, the biggest moment is undoubtedly the chorus – the section to beat:

“Sunshine has faded away 

(Sunshine has faded away baby) 

My skies are cloudy and grey 

(Ooh skies are cloudy and grey baby) 

And I can’t stop these tears 

(I can’t stop these tears from falling) 

From my eyes from my eyes 

(From my eyes yea yea from my eyes)”.

Besides relatable songwriting, the vocal performances are elite.  This includes lead and supporting vocals, crucial to the track’s success.  The love pain is authentically conveyed.  Combine that with tuneful melodies and a stupendous instrumental and “Sunshine” is nothing short of – wait for it – sunny! Although “Sunshine” performed best on the R&B charts, it also impacted the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at no. 45.  This soul song is > its performance on the pop charts, PERIOD!

Appears in :  

• Enchantment, Sunshine: Throwback Vibez ️ No. 52 (2024) 

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10. Natasha Bedingfield, “Pocketful of Sunshine”  

Pocketful of Sunshine // Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited // 2007 

“I got a pocket, got a pocketful of sunshine / I got a love and I know that it’s all mine, oh, oh-oh.” Indeed, Natasha Bedingfield, indeed.  The British singer, who carved out success in the U.S. in the 2000s scored her second top-10 hit with “Pocketful of Sunshine”.  It reached no. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, matching the peak of “Unwritten”.  In the sunny first verse, Bedingfield continues singing, “Do what you want, but you’re never gonna break me / Sticks and stones are never gonna shake me, oh, oh-oh.” The positive vibes are lit ! “Pocketful of Sunshine” was penned by Bedingfield, Danielle Brisebois, and producer John Shanks.  

“Take me away (Take me away) 

A secret place (A secret place) 

A sweet escape (A sweet escape)  

Take me away (Take me away).” 

Ah, the beauty of escapism from toxicity is exemplified by the chorus. Fuego ! The second verse of “Pocketful of Sunshine” is like the first, with Natasha asserting, “Wish that you could, but you ain’t gonna own me / Do anything you can to control me… / You can’t control me.” In the bridge, she describes her escape… wherever it is …  Ultimately, Natasha Bedingfield slayed on this groovy, infectious pop joint.  It’s not surprising that “Pocketful of Sunshine” was certified multiplatinum by the RIAA. 

 

Appears in :  

• Natasha Bedingfield, Pocketful of Sunshine: Bangerz N Bopz No. 41 (2024) 

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11. Bob Marley & The Wailers, “Sun Is Shining”  

Kaya // The Island Def Jam Music Group // 1978  

“Sun is shining, the weather is sweet / Make you want to move your dancing feet.” Ah, the “Sun Is Shining” indeed, Bob Marley – at least from a positive vibes perspective! Marley continues singing, “To the rescue, here I am / Want you to know, you all, where I stand.” Word. The five-minute classic is the fourth track on Kaya, the 1978 album by Bob Marley & The Wailers. “Sun is Shining” was written and produced by the iconic reggae collective. 

“Sun Is Shining” thrives off positivity – “(Wednesday morning) Tell myself a new day is rising / (Thursday evening) get on the rise)” – but it is set in a minor key. Bob Marley & The Wailers are locked-in – they sound connected and tight from a musical perspective.  The production and sound are sublime! It’s the percussion, active yet fat bass, yearning guitar, and those keys. The groove is electrifying, the expectation for reggae stylistically. Also, Marley gets superb support from the background vocals.  Bob, of course, is elite, singing authentically, commandingly, and expressive to the nth degree. “Sun is Shining” marks one of his best vocal performances. Throw in the sense of hope, and “Sun is Shining” shines even more: “Awake from your sleep and slumber / Today could bring your lucky number.” “Sun is Shining” is a surefire vibe from a legendary musician and band.   

 Appears in :  

• Bob Marley & The Wailers, Sun Is Shining: Throwback Vibez ️ No. 80 (2024) 

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11 Sunny Sun Songs Sure to Brighten Up Your Day! (2024) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Big Loud, Columbia, Daughters of Cain, Dead Oceans, Def Jam Recordings, Dreamville, Interscope, The Island Def Jam Music Group, LisaSawyer63, Mercury, Republic, Roadshow, Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited; GraphicMama-Team from Pixabay]

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