1970s songs, contentment

#336 Sunshine on My Shoulders- John Denver

If I had a day that I could give you/
I’d give to you the day just like today.

John Denver is a great singer-songwriter that crossed genres. His sound is a mixture between folk, country and soft-rock. One of his favorite themes is the outdoors: he was an environmentalist before it was a thing. “Sunshine on my Shoulders” is a song about his love of the outdoors, but also his enjoyment of sharing special days with the ones he loves. This song celebrates the simple life and the joys of love and the environment.

Sunshine on my Shoulders Meaning — John Denver

The melody of “Sunshine on My Shoulders” is endearing, and Denver’s voice is smooth, happy and hopeful. Like most of his songs, it features him on the acoustic guitar, but “Sunshine” also has a nice bass accompanying it that plays a key part. I feel that this song lets us know a lot about Denver as a person. That is, the song seems personal to him and he is okay with telling us he is an emotional and sensitive person.

Sunshine on my Shoulders 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…

Songwriters: John Denver / Michael C Taylor / Richard L Dick Kniss

2000s songs, love songs

#335 The Luckiest- Ben Folds

admin Leave a comment

I love you more then have/
Ever found the way to say to you.

Ben Fold’s “The Luckiest” is an interesting concept for a love song. Folds sings about his appreciation for finding the love of his life and of the small percent chance that they found each other. What if they had been born in the same places, but he was born 50 years earlier? It wouldn’t have worked out. So many variables had to match up perfectly for them to find each other and he feels like the luckiest man to have found her.

Folds’ voice is great in “The Luckiest”, and it is his best work as a solo artist. We can hear his sense of awe and appreciation in his voice—and also his love for his beloved—in the song. Folds’ falsetto sounds especially good here. The piano accompaniment is perfect. It is minimal but it complements the lyrics quite well. It is also a non-standard pattern in the verses. I like the added orchestration that comes in halfway through “The Luckiest”. It seems somewhat formulaic, but it works perfectly.

The Luckiest Lyrics

I don’t get many things right the first time,
In fact, I am told that a lot.
Now I know all the wrong turns the stumbles,
And falls brought me here.
And where was I before the day,
That I first saw your lovely face?
Now I see it every day.
And I know-

That I am, I am, I am, the luckiest.

What if I had been born fifty years before you,
In a house on the street
Where you lived?
Maybe I’d be outside as you passed on your bike. Would I know?
And in a wide sea of eyes
I see one pair that I recognize.
And I know-

That I am, I am, I am, the luckiest.

I love you more then have
Ever found the way to say
To you.

Next door there’s an old man who lived to his nineties and one day
Passed away in his sleep.
And his wife, she stayed for a couple of days, and passed away.
I’m sorry I know that’s a strange way to tell you that I know we belong.
That I know-
That I am, I am, I am, the luckiest.

Songwriters: Ben Folds

1970s songs, friendship

#334 Little Help From My Friends- Joe Cocker/The Beatles

admin Leave a comment

What do you see when you turn out the light?
I can’t tell you, but I know it’s mine.

“With A Little Help From My Friends” is a Joe Cocker classic written by the Beatles. They let Ringo sing lead on it and he performs admirably…or at least it works well for this song. The song’s structure is a serious of questions and answers that make for a unique song and experience.

The background sings the questions, “Would you believe in a love in first sight?” And Ringo answers, “Yes, I’m certain that it happens all the time.” That is a nice structure for the bridge that continues into the chorus…”Do you need anybody?” “I just need someone to love”… The song sounds simple due to the lack of variety in Ringos voice, but the song is actually very well written.

Little Help From My Friends Meaning — Joe Cocker

Joe Cocker’s cover of the song because it borderline surpasses the original. Whereas the The Beatles version feels like a collective effort, Cocker’s sounds lonelier. He is saying that he needs help from his friends because that is part of the human condition. It is a fantastic version and perhaps the best introduction song to a TV show ever: The great Wonder Years.

Little Help From My Friends Lyrics & Meaning

What would you think if I sang out of tune?
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend me your ears and I’ll sing you a song
And I’ll try not to sing out of key

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends
Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends

What do I do when my love is away?
Does it worry you to be alone?
How do I feel by the end of the day?
Are you sad because you’re on your own?

No, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mm, get high with a little help from my friends
Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends

Do you need anybody?
I need somebody to love
Could it be anybody?
I want somebody to love

Would you believe in a love at first sight?
Yes, I’m certain that it happens all the time
What do you see when you turn out the light?
I can’t tell you, but I know it’s mine

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mm, get high with a little help from my friends
Oh, I’m gonna try with a little help from my friends

Do you need anybody?
I just need someone to love
Could it be anybody?
I want somebody to love

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends
Oh, I get high with a little help from my friends
Yes, I get by with a little help from my friends
With a little help from my friends

written by lennon/mccartney

Top 500 Greatest Rock Songs of All-time