Johnny Nash, I Can See Clearly Now | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 154^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Nash.

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 154^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2023), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “I Can See Clearly Now”, performed by 🎙 Johnny Nash. 

“I can see clearly now the rain is gone / I can see all obstacles in my way.” Those lyrics hail from the 1972 classic, 🎵 “I Can See Clearly Now”. “I Can See Clearly Now” was performed, written, and produced by 🎙 Johnny Nash, who incorporated pop, reggae, and soul into his music. A no. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, the single also earned Nash his sole certification from the RIAA (a gold single). “I Can See Clearly” appears as the seventh track on Nash’s 1972 album, fittingly titled, 💿 I Can See Clearly Now.

So, what makes “I Can See Clearly Now” the bomb diggity – the sugar honey iced tea? Well, expressive and exuberant lead vocals from Johnny Nash play a sizable role.  Also, the positive vibes of the songwriting truly put the cherry on top. The first verse, excerpted above, continues: “Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind / It’s gonna be a bright, bright, sun shiny day.” Similarly, in the second verse, Nash speaks about “That rainbow I’ve been praying for,” signaling surefire happiness! If that’s not enough, in the bridge, Nash sees “Nothing but blue skies.” Ooh-wee! The production matches the exuberance of the lyrics and singing, making this easily one of my favorite songs my elementary music teacher played (back in the 90s, by the way).  Sadly, Nash died at the age of 80 in 2020 but his iconic song lives on forever!

🎙 Johnny Nash • 💿 I Can See Clearly Now • 🏷 Sony BMG Music Entertainment • 🗓 1972

Johnny Nash, I Can See Clearly Now: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 154 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Sony BMG Music Entertainment; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via  Pixabay]