Sunshine On My Shoulders
Since John was known for his conservation efforts, many assume this song is just another ode to the environment. It is not. It is a love song. The key to that is found in the first verse, which, curiously, comes after the first chorus. Yes, the song starts with the chorus, which isn’t completely unheard of. The song is also very long by today’s radio standards at more than five minutes. (By contrast, a typical punk rock song is about two and a half.) Maybe people had more time to listen to a song about sunshine in 1971 when it was released. I don’t know, but I love this song.
The first verse tells the listener what all the fuss is about. Yeah, sunshine is great and makes things grow. So what? “If I had a day that I could give you, I’d give to you a day just like today. If I had a song that I could sing for you, I’d sing to you a song to make you feel this way,” sings John. He realizes the simplest gifts are often the best. The sun, the song: it’s all a metaphor for what he wants to give the girl he loves: a feeling. John seemingly says, “Please feel this wonderful thing.” When love enters your heart, it says just that. It must be shared, like a song or a pleasant, sunny day. Love must be given. It isn’t important if it is returned. It is the definition of a gift.
This song, which masquerades as an environmental ballad, is something much more beautiful than what we first suspect. Our natural world is not the be-all, end-all. But it does remind us of what really matters. What it triggers in you mirrors what is likely in your heart. When I’m in nature, or when I’m anywhere, I think of her. You know who. John thought of her, too. (But, hopefully, a different girl because I don’t think he could see the future. His songs did last a long time, though, so who knows?) Anyway, hands off, John. Haha, I digress.
This song begins slowly, almost contemplatively. You can see John walking a trail in his beloved Rockies, surrounded by aspen and pine, breathing in the fragrant air, and feeling pretty good with sunshine warming his shoulders. But sunshine doesn’t often make us cry. That is another clue John was talking about love. Love will make you cry. (It can also make you high.) Hopefully tears of joy. The song increases in volume and urgency (Though not too urgent. We are talking about John Denver here.) until the end. The music is wispy and restrained but gains strength. Soon, it feels like the whole forest is alive with music, every bird and tree playing along.
That’s another thing love does. It takes small, humble things and makes them grow. Then you have something epic and bigger than what your body can contain. That is the reason John wrote songs and performed and wrote so much. We all have something big in our hearts that must be shared. Well, maybe this wasn’t so much prose as much as poetry. It happens. But you know the inspiration didn’t come from me. It came from God and that little bit of sunshine that has a girl’s name.
It took me that many paragraphs to say this. Sunshine On My Shoulders is a metaphor for love and beauty and anything else a person would like to share with another (such as a tale, a wish for something wonderful). That’s what the song is about, at least to me. You can go with your own theory. I won’t mind. But, I know this. Love grows. Sometimes it surprises us. We slow down a bit one day and realize something beautiful grew in our hearts. If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. What a beautiful thing it is to love a beautiful woman. And I fell in love with the most beautiful woman of all.
It may seem all the love songs lead me back to one woman. Honestly, I barely listen to music anymore unless someone else is playing it. This one was just in my heart. So, John, thank you for penning yet another masterpiece, and one not many understand on the first listen. I hope you’re enjoying the sunshine where you are.
This song makes me think about a girl. I wish her all the sunshine and happiness in the world.
Lyrics:
Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high
If I had a day that I could give you
I'd give to you the day just like today
If I had a song that I could sing for you
I'd sing a song to make you feel this way
Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high
If I had a tale that I could tell you
I'd tell a tale sure to make you smile
If I had a wish that I could wish for you
I'd make a wish for sunshine for all the while
Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost all the time makes me high
Sunshine almost always
***
Wrote this back in early January. It ends up being post #550. I don't have anything else to post, so this may be it, at least for a while. This would be a good one to end on, wouldn't it? I know it’s not that great, but is special to me. I’m getting sentimental in my old age. Take care, and enjoy the sunshine.
***
I was approached out of the blue about a job opportunity. So I applied. It’s similar in ways to the graphic design/editor job I held for years. Because I didn’t know if God was opening a door or not, I applied. Still, I don’t imagine anything will come of it. But it is in my prayers. Among other things. It’s amazing how I never run out of things to pray about. I was talking to someone about something that was on their heart, and I said something to the likes of if that’s something that drives you to God consistently and He wants to hear from you every day (very much true), do you think He will take that away anytime soon? Just a little perspective. Maybe He wants you in the habit of talking to Him so much before He resolves the situation so you don’t forget about Him afterward. Not so many words of course. Just a thought. Or maybe He just wants you to know He is God. And you aren’t. Or some other reason. You can ask Him why when you get home. There’s always that. Eternity will answer a lot of questions. Haha. But, hey, as always …
Thank you for reading. And God bless.
My Tumblr. In case you need more.
Comments
Post a Comment