I wrote this song back in December 2001 – at least that’s when I have an old midi file, but I’m not sure if I wrote the lyrics then or later. I made an audio recording, having acquired a Yamaha Pianica (Melodica) to perform the chorus backing – I had seen one of Jack Johnson’s band playing one on a concert DVD. Despite a couple of odd chord moves, the verse chord progression is I – vi – ii – V, and while this progression worked well for the song’s development, subsequent listens after this initial recording made me feel it was too ‘safe’. Come 2025, I had been exposed to the concept of ‘negative harmony’ (see a post to the Songwriting forum here) and decided to use negative harmony to flip the chords, but I think I then adjusted the melody rather than following a strict negative harmony method for that. This created created a more moody verse that contrasted better with the chorus. The chorus uses major 7ths which I’ve always felt have a sunny feel to them.
I added the Baritone electric as it was similar to my own guitar recorded tremolo on my original recording; the Accordion sounds like my Pianica; and I chose the piano soloist as I wanted something that 'rang out'.
PRODUCTION Style is _BRITPOP.STY (Classic British Pop) RealTracks in style: ~683:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesPush Ev 120 RealTracks in style: 888:Piano, Acoustic, Solo-Accompaniment PopBronx Ev 120 RealTracks in style: 1270:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopUpliftSyncMuted Ev16 120 RealTracks in style: 1948:Mandolin, Rhythm PopUpliftingAndy Ev16 120 RealDrums in style:NashvilleEven16^5-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride
RealTracks in song: 1173:Accordion, Rhythm PopCalypso Ev 100 RealTracks in song: 3161:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Rhythm BluesyPopHeldEmbelBrentPhaser Ev 100 RealTracks in song: 1950:Piano, Acoustic, Soloist PopRootsyJohn Ev16 100 (Bluesy)
I recorded vocals and mixed in Reaper.
LYRICS The cold weather’s gone, my melancholy has lifted The days are much brighter, my outlook has shifted Things begin to bloom, like freshly painted room
The work is all done and it’s time for a rest It’s time to reflect on just how much we’re blessed Plans can start without us, for now we’ll just chill out
How can we complain when we’ve got sunshine again Today’s another day when we’ve got sunshine again Slowly drifting off, tomorrow’s just another lifetime away
I’m looking ahead with a spring in my step I’ve left it behind and I’ve learned to forget I’m taking time to smile and now for just a while
SOLO
How can we complain when we’ve got sunshine again Today’s another day when we’ve got sunshine again Slowly drifting off, tomorrow’s just another lifetime away (away) away away (away) away
There's a whole lot to like here. The intro really drew my interest and the ending was very good. The chorus was a bona fide, beautiful bit of music. You really outdid yourself there! I can't say enough good things about that chorus. BIAB's piano solo really fit well into the arrangement. Prosody was fine, BTW. The verse was where things fell down a bit for me. It didn't ruin things, it just wasn't up to the rest of the piece. It was a bit unmusical. Fortunately your arrangement repeated the chorus a lot and downplayed the verse. Smart move! Overall, the verse issue really didn't detract very much from what I agree is one of your best efforts to date. I really enjoyed this. Well done!
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
What an uplifting song, that chorus lifted my sombre feeling this morning….what with the cold night, grey yesterday and other happenings. I thought the intro was going to take us down a Strawberry Fields path just for a moment, or take us on another instrumental. The melodica fits in and suits very nice indeed. I know you were still a fledging songwriter back in 2001, but you still had all the hallmarks then. I can only imagine the number of songs you still have to plunder and can refine even more.
Nice to see you out and about promoting the state too on the video, has SA Tourism got you on a retainer! Can't beat Granite Island and Victor in the sunshine. Looking forward to getting some sunshine and heat in England….can’t believe that I'm even saying that! It’s been so cold (by our standards), I have just about had enough of winter this year.
Thank you for such a positive song, I needed it…. everyone needs it.
There's a whole lot to like here. The intro really drew my interest and the ending was very good. The chorus was a bona fide, beautiful bit of music. You really outdid yourself there! I can't say enough good things about that chorus. BIAB's piano solo really fit well into the arrangement. Prosody was fine, BTW. The verse was where things fell down a bit for me. It didn't ruin things, it just wasn't up to the rest of the piece. It was a bit unmusical. Fortunately your arrangement repeated the chorus a lot and downplayed the verse. Smart move! Overall, the verse issue really didn't detract very much from what I agree is one of your best efforts to date. I really enjoyed this. Well done!
Thanks Rob! As alluded to in my summary, this song has a history in terms of verse vs chorus. I remember being so enthralled when the chorus dropped out of nowhere into my head, so it's always been a case for me of what verse should sit alongside it. In the end, I was happy that the verse was a contrast to that bright, sunny chorus. I also want to thank you for your encouragement about prosody - I am on the watch out for my lyrics now to have a 'smooth' lyric - I dropped a few syllables and unnecessary words in this version which were cluttering up the flow.
Originally Posted by rsdean
One of your very best. Such an interesting progression and a wonderful vocal. And an excellent mix tops this it off.
Thanks Bob! I like the negative harmony chord progression in the verse, but LOVE the chorus chords and melody. This reminds me of objectivity - we as songwriters become very familiar with our own songs and their history, and sometimes we hear it as an amalgam of that history, whereas a new listener has pure first-time exposure. I know it's not possible, but I'd love to be able to hear my songs as others hear them for the first time.
Originally Posted by MarioD
Andrew, this is fantastic Loved that intro! Great piano lead Super vocal, lyrics, and mix This brought be back to the 60's summer of love!
Thanks Mario! Yes, I think that intro sets the scene - I had it this way from the first recording I did. I fluked it with the piano solo - I was looking for something that 'rang out' and percussive in nature, and that piano solo popped up in my first search in BIAB and remember thinking 'That'll do'. Also, the section of the soloist in the solo section of my song worked really well without slicing and dicing, so all I then did was use automation to swing the track back and forth from right to left. While I was only 9 - 11 y.o., the period '69 to '73 is my own historic summer - it just feels like that period held a lot of enthusiasm, positivity and beaches - and songs like this take me to that era. Of course, I realise that time can be rather dark for veterans and others.
Originally Posted by K-Dub Ya
What an uplifting song, that chorus lifted my sombre feeling this morning….what with the cold night, grey yesterday and other happenings. I thought the intro was going to take us down a Strawberry Fields path just for a moment, or take us on another instrumental. The melodica fits in and suits very nice indeed.
Thanks Lee! Yes, it is uplifting, and I know what you mean about our miserable weather ATM (for Adelaide anyway). There have been a couple of times in the last few weeks when the sun has been out and I've gone out the back of our place and just let the sun warm me. Being an early riser, I love it when I can lift the blinds and let the morning light come in the windows. My mum always said she felt she suffered from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and one of the reasons that they emigrated.
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I know you were still a fledging songwriter back in 2001, but you still had all the hallmarks then. I can only imagine the number of songs you still have to plunder and can refine even more.
I can see how my songwriting has evolved over the years. Back in those days, I struggled to find lyrics which is why I have a few instrumentals lying around awaiting attention. I also have lots of half-finished songs over the years (e.g. a verse looking for a chorus and vice versa), so my work is never done.
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Nice to see you out and about promoting the state too on the video, has SA Tourism got you on a retainer! Can't beat Granite Island and Victor in the sunshine.
I was pleasantly surprised to see Granite Island and Victor Harbor appear in the Clipchamp video library, and like many of us, we've spent summer holidays in that town. Fond memories.
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Looking forward to getting some sunshine and heat in England….can’t believe that I'm even saying that! It’s been so cold (by our standards), I have just about had enough of winter this year.
Thank you for such a positive song, I needed it…. everyone needs it.
Anyhow, must fly….literally! See you soon buddy.
You're welcome! Safe travels, and hope to hear from you occasionally while away. Maybe a pic from you drooling over a guitar at Noisy Hammer? (I can't find many guitar shops in N*****k).
So well created, Andrew. Man, i really like that chord structure. Very inventive and quite catchy. i appreciate all that you include in your posts. There is soooo much goodness in there, so many wonderful landing zones for our listening pleasure. This one needs many listens --the kind of song that after hearing it 20 times we still hear something new. Dig those harmonies. Brilliant throughout, Andrew.
Enjoy whatever happens! marty
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 12, EZDrummer
So well created, Andrew. Man, i really like that chord structure. Very inventive and quite catchy. i appreciate all that you include in your posts. There is soooo much goodness in there, so many wonderful landing zones for our listening pleasure. This one needs many listens --the kind of song that after hearing it 20 times we still hear something new. Dig those harmonies. Brilliant throughout, Andrew.
Thank you so much, Marty! You summed up my songwriting goal in your review - chord structures that give a pleasant surprise and wonderful landing zones. With the harmonies, I wanted them to feel like sun rays providing warmth to a cold back.
Originally Posted by floyd jane
This is Absolutely Delightful. Great use of BIAB. Gorgeous Arrangement and Production. Cool Opening. Great Pace. Lovely vocals. Solid Mix.
A terrific Pop write. This is SO good. I immediately hit replay.
Great intro invites excellently to chilling out with you. Great selection of instruments, especially the baritone guitar fills and the rhytmic piano create a restful atmosphere.
I enjoyed the breezy chord progression and the beautiful melody. The song 70's soul mood and your voice really fits with that style. Nostalgic mood, but with lovely positive message for the weekend or summer vacation.
Really creative song all around Great chorus, and the negative harmony info was new to me. Excellent! I agree with Bob about it being one of your best.
Some favourite Waoist Adages: #1: Play on the Way. #13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you. #58: Bring consciousness to it. #63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made. #92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
Great intro invites excellently to chilling out with you. Great selection of instruments, especially the baritone guitar fills and the rhytmic piano create a restful atmosphere.
I enjoyed the breezy chord progression and the beautiful melody. The song 70's soul mood and your voice really fits with that style. Nostalgic mood, but with lovely positive message for the weekend or summer vacation.
Thanks Janne! It probably is a song that expresses my desire to think and speak more positively than I once did. I think we have a common interest in finding and using interesting chord progressions.
Originally Posted by WaoBand
Really creative song all around Great chorus, and the negative harmony info was new to me. Excellent! I agree with Bob about it being one of your best.
Wow! Or should I say Wao! I've always liked this song, but never thought it would get this sort of reaction -thank you Chay!
Thank you both for listening and commenting! Andrew
A lovely song with -again- a touch of the 60ths and early 70ths. Your way of singing it is just great. Like that.
But I had to think about your chorus lines: How can we complain when we’ve got sunshine again Today’s another day when we’ve got sunshine again Slowly drifting off, tomorrow’s just another lifetime away
Here in Europe, there is so much sunshine right now and absolutely no rain. Everything is burning, drying out, and that kind of misery. In that case, this text isn't in 'the mood' right now.
But apart from that, I'm sticking to where I started my text to you. Funny is that I've also had a song with the same title lying in my work folder for a number of years. Different rhythm, different meaning too, but the same title nonetheless. So I'll just leave that one aside for a while...
I love the intro, and the chorus is very beautiful. It's a very good song with a most charming retro feel.
Thanks Laurent! It seems that ‘retro’ is my specialty!
Originally Posted by dcuny
Interesting chords in the verse. A bit "out there" - negative harmony isn't really my cup of tea. But the Major 7th chorus more than makes up for it, so all is forgiven.
Thanks David! I had a passing thought that the chorus might appeal to you - having read your song posts from last year when you extolled the virtues of the major 7th. Forgiveness accepted! I might re-record my original verse at some juncture to see how that lands.
Originally Posted by Birchwood
A lovely song with -again- a touch of the 60ths and early 70ths. Your way of singing it is just great. Like that.
Thank you Hans! That makes me think … I wonder if the best singer of a song is the one who wrote it?
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Here in Europe, there is so much sunshine right now and absolutely no rain. Everything is burning, drying out, and that kind of misery. In that case, this text isn't in 'the mood' right now.
As an inhabitant of the driest state (South Australia) in the driest continent, I feel your pain. While we regularly have summers above 40 degrees and threat of bushfires, I think you have it worse because it is unexpected for you and from what I hear, your homes are not equipped for such temperatures.
Quote
But apart from that, I'm sticking to where I started my text to you. Funny is that I've also had a song with the same title lying in my work folder for a number of years. Different rhythm, different meaning too, but the same title nonetheless. So I'll just leave that one aside for a while...
Very nicely done!
Knowing the quality of your songwriting, I am sure your ‘Sunshine’ will warm our hearts.
Thank you all for listening and commenting! Andrew
“I’m looking ahead with a spring in my step I’ve left it behind and I’ve learned to forget I’m taking time to smile and now for just a while“
Nice!
That BiaB band is a showcase within the showcase forum. Excellent session folks indeed and very well mixed.
The video is very creative. And the supportive real clips are perfect.
As others have praised the arrangement, chord structure and vocals are top notch.
Well done and much enjoyed by us,
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
That BiaB band is a showcase within the showcase forum. Excellent session folks indeed and very well mixed.
Thank you J&B! I laid the foundation of the song in BIAB quite a few months ago, and I wish I’d kept notes about my choices for adding the additional RealTracks. I think the baritone guitar was added being similar to my own guitar with tremolo in my original recording, and the organ similar to my pianica. But credit to the BIAB band for the irreplaceable foundation. As you both often say - what would we do without it!
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The video is very creative. And the supportive real clips are perfect.
Fortunately, I have access to a good library of video stock in Clipchamp, and can usually find something that fits - either directly or indirectly. Being a writer who doesn’t place as much weight on the lyrics - sometimes to my detriment - it is often during the video that I think deeply about the words I have used and how to represent them in video.
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As others have praised the arrangement, chord structure and vocals are top notch.
I think you referred to me as Mr. Chord Man recently, and that is often my motivation and starting point. It is also what I tend to focus on in others’ songs when listening. Thank you for noticing and commenting! Andrew
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
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I might re-record my original verse at some juncture to see how that lands.
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