And this house just ain’t no home/
Anytime she goes away.

Bill Withers has a great voice that sounds somewhat androgynous to me. “Aint No Sunshine” is not as famous as his “Lean on Me”, but it is a far superior song. The lyrics of “Ain’t No Sunshine” are in the tradition of the blues. Withers is singing about a pain he has—he gets lonely and down when his girl is away from him. I like the way he describes how differently he feels when she is away…he feels like his house is not a home anymore.

The bridge is very interesting: the line “I know I ought to leave young thing alone”. While the rest of the song is relatively innocent—and is all about his love for his love–in the middle of the song he throws in a line about women who are tempting him while his love is not in sight. Very honest lyrics. I am certain they must have gone over well with his girlfriend.

The production of “Ain’t No Sunshine” is by T-bone Walker, and it is fantastic. Specifically, the string section coming in and out and the level of intensity of the strings at different points in the song is unique. Sometimes the change it volume is almost startling. We notice it. Another great aspect of the production/songwriting is the repeated use of “I know”. I think a lesser producer would have axed it.

Ain’t No Sunshine Lyrics

Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone
It’s not warm when she’s away
Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone
And she’s always gone too long
Anytime she goes away

Wonder this time where she’s gone
Wonder if she’s gone to stay
Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone
And this house just ain’t no home
Anytime she goes away

And I know, I know, I know, I know,
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know,
Hey, I oughtta leave young thing alone
But ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone

Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone
Only darkness every day
Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone
And this house just ain’t no home
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away

Songwriters: Bill Withers