Will Fenton
The best songs about the sun infuse warmth and light into music, reflecting our universal connection with this life-giving star.
My article shines a spotlight on those uplifting melodies that reignite our summer memories and dreams of bright, sun-filled days.
Don’t forget, these song choices are based on my personal experience and opinion, after all, everyone has different music tastes!
Quick answer (author’s top picks): what are the best songs about the sun?
“From my own experience, the best songs about the sun truly encapsulate the warmth and joy of sunny days. “Here Comes The Sun” by The Beatles always feels like a gentle, reassuring smile on a bright morning. Norah Jones’ “Sunrise” captures the soft glow of the morning light with every tender note. And, without a doubt, “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina & The Waves brings an infectious, upbeat energy that embodies the pure delight of a sun-drenched day.”
Will Fenton, Founder of MidderMusic & Overblown music magazine
Top picks of songs about the sun
- “Here Comes The Sun” by The Beatles
- “Sunrise” by Norah Jones
- “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina & The Waves
- “I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Nash
- “Sun Is Shining” by Bob Marley
- “Follow The Sun” by Xavier Rudd
- “Pocketful of Sunshine” by Natasha Bedingfield
- “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers
- “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden
- “Sunny Afternoon” by The Kinks
1. “Here Comes The Sun” by The Beatles
Let’s start with one of the most famous songs about the sun.
“Here Comes The Sun” is not the only sun-related song by The Beatles.
But it’s the most memorable one.
And Nina Simone did an amazing cover of it.
2. “Sunrise” by Norah Jones
When it comes to sunrise songs, Norah Jones is a winner.
She released “Sunrise” in 2004 and received multiple awards for it.
And just like the name of the studio album, “Sunrise” really feels like home.
“Sunrise, sunrise
Looks like mornin’ in your eyes
But the clock’s held 9:15 for hours.”
3. “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina & The Waves
This is arguably one of the most iconic songs about the sun.
And probably one of the most uplifting one-hit wonders.
“Walking on Sunshine” simply feels like pure happiness. It’s like a shot of positive energy we all need from time to time.
4. “I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Nash
If “Walking on Sunshine” had a brother, it would be “I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Nash.
After it was released in 1972, the song reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
And it’s still one of my favorite sunny songs.
“I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright
Bright sunshiny day.”
5. “Sun Is Shining” by Bob Marley
“Sun is shining
Weather is sweet
Make you want to move
Your dancing feet, now.“
Bob Marley‘s music simply feels like sunshine.
Among other things, he was always determined to sing about two things: what is right and what feels good.
And “Sun Is Shining” seems to be about both. Either way, it will help you appreciate the present moment.
6. “Follow The Sun” by Xavier Rudd
“Follow The Sun” by the Australian singer Xavier Rudd will instantly put your mind at ease.
This song is ideal for watching a sunset by the sea or a nice walk in a sunny forest.
“Follow, follow the sun
And which way the wind blows
When this day is done.”
See also: Songs About Sunsets
7. “Pocketful of Sunshine” by Natasha Bedingfield
There are many pop songs about sunshine, and Natasha Bedingfeld’s 2007 hit deserves a spot on this list.
In the movie “Easy A”, after receiving a greeting card featuring “Pocketful of Sunshine”, the main character Olive (Emma Stone) says it’s the worst song ever and then becomes addicted to it.
Well, that scenario certainly makes sense!
8. “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers
“When I wake up in the morning, love
And the sunlight hurts my eyes”
The list of the best songs with sunshine in the lyrics is not complete without “Lovely Day.”
Although I thought about including Withers‘ “Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone”, this seemed like a better choice for your lovely sunny day.
9. “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden
Songs about the sun aren’t always perky and joyful.
Even though “Black Hole Sun” doesn’t feel gloomy, it certainly brings a different kind of energy. And it’s a powerful one.
Either way, “Black Hole Sun” is one of Soundgarden’s most recognizable songs, written by the band’s dearly missed frontman Chris Cornell.
10. “Sunny Afternoon” by The Kinks
The Kinks is another famous band that was often inspired by the sun.
Their “Sunny Afternoon” is one of the most iconic songs about sunshine and summer.
The song is easy-going and quirky; everything you need for lazin’ on a sunny afternoon.
“The tax man’s taken all my dough
And left me in my stately home
Lazin’ on a sunny afternoon.”
11. “Island In The Sun” by Weezer
When thinking about rock songs about the sun, one song, in particular, comes to mind: “Island In The Sun” by Weezer.
It’s simple and catchy, and it’s a nice throwback to the early 2000s music.
“When you’re on a holiday
You can’t find the words to say
All the things that come to you
And I wanna feel it too.”
12. “Towards The Sun” by Alexi Murdoch
“Towards The Sun” by the British artist, Alexi Murdoch is a perfect song for the end of the day.
When you can slow down and relax while the sun goes down.
Although its lyrics aren’t as optimistic, they reveal Murdoch’s interesting thoughts and songwriting skills.
“See, the clouds are creeping
Towards the sun
And I’m slipping away
Unseen by anyone.”
13. “Cover Me In Sunshine” by P!nk, Willow Sage Hart
One of the most popular songs of 2021 is “Cover Me In Sunshine.”
And this kind of down-to-earth positivity is everything that people need right now.
“Cover me in sunshine
Shower me with good times
Tell me that the world’s been spinning since the beginning
And everything will be alright.”
14. “The Sun” by Parov Stelar
This is another song with the sun in the title that will boost your energy.
It’s a perfect song for a sunset drive.
“Now I’m gonna tell my momma
That I’m a traveler
I’m gonna follow the sun.”
15. “Sun” by Two Door Cinema Club
Northern Irish indie rock band Two Door Cinema Club released “Sun” in 2021.
It’s an uplifting song with a catchy melody and sweet lyrics.
“The roads I knew
Became a city
And I wonder
Will you wait for me?”
16. “Texas Sun” by Khruangbin & Leon Bridges
The title of this song fits its atmosphere perfectly.
And the combination of Khruangbin‘s chill sound and Leon Bridges’ soothing voice works so well.
“Say you wanna hit the highway while the engine roars
Well, come on, roll with me ’til the sun goes down
That Texas sun.”
17. “Mr. Sun” by Greentea Peng
Aria Wells, known as Greentea Peng, released this catchy tune in 2019.
“Mr. Sun” is proof of the singer’s musical and aesthetic authenticity, and hopefully only the first of her many successes.
“Woke up today and the sun was shining
I said Mr. Sun
Where have you been?”
18. “Hard Sun” by Eddie Vedder
“Hard Sun” by Eddie Vedder is arguably one of the most powerful songs with sun in the title.
It’s a part of Vedder’s album “Into the Wild” created for the movie of the same name.
Great soundtrack and a great movie.
19. “Everybody Loves The Sunshine” by Takuya Kuroda
A Japanese jazz musician Takuya Kuroda knows that everybody loves the sunshine.
And that’s why he created this unique, captivating song about the sun (and a couple of other things.)
He released “Everybody Loves The Sunshine” on his album “Rising Son.”
20. “Sunshine” by Matisyahu
Matisyahu had a slightly different approach to the sun theme than Takuya Kuroda.
He made a cheerful, catchy song about sunshine, courage, and persistence.
“Reach for the sky
Keep your eye on the prize
Forever in my mind
Be my golden sunshine.”
21. “Sunshine on My Shoulders” by John Denver
When you haven’t seen the sun in a while, that’s when you appreciate it the most.
And John Denver knew how to portray that feeling in his beautiful track “Sunshine on My Shoulders.“
When asked about the meaning of the song, he said: “On one level it was about the virtues of love. On another, more deeply felt level, it reached for something the whole world could embrace.”
22. “You Are My Sunshine” by Jimmie Davis
Without a doubt, this is the most iconic song about sunshine.
Numerous artists made a fantastic cover of this song (Johnny Cash and Ray Charles, just to name a few.)
In fact, according to BMI, “You Are My Sunshine” has been recorded by more than 350 artists and translated into 30 languages. Quite impressive!
But I wanted to pay tribute to Jimmie Davis and the original version.
23. “Soak Up The Sun” by Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow knew how to capture the feeling of summertime freedom.
“Soak Up The Sun” is a classic feel-good song you don’t mind hearing on the radio, especially if you’re in the mood for uplifting, sunny songs.
“I’m gonna soak up the sun
I’m gonna tell everyone
To lighten up.”
24. “Sunny” by Boney M.
When it comes to classics, I can’t skip Boney M.
Even though “Sunny” might not refer to the shining ball in the sky, it’s an ideal song for sunny days.
It’s just timeless.
“Sunny, yesterday my life was filled with rain
Sunny, you smiled at me and really eased the pain.”
25. “Another Day of Sun” by La La Land OST
Another song made for dancing in the sunshine is “Another Day of Sun.”
The song is featured at the beginning of the movie “La La Land“, and it immediately creates a joyful, carefree atmosphere needed for the scene.
26. “Staring at the Sun” by TV on the Radio
“Staring at the Sun” perhaps isn’t one of the universally popular songs about the sun, but it’s worth mentioning.
But if you’re a fan of indie music, then you’re familiar with TV On The Radio and their distinctive style.
“Staring at the Sun” was released as their debut single in 2004.
27. “Chasing The Sun” by The Wanted
“We’ve only just begun
Hypnotized by drums
Until forever comes
You’ll find us chasing the sun.“
“Chasing The Sun” by The Wanted was released in 2012.
Either way, this hit remains one of the most popular songs about the sun.
28. “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals
I’m back to older classics. And “House of the Rising Sun” is one of the most timeless songs about the sun.
However, there are several theories about the meaning of this song.
For this article, let’s say it’s about a nice sunset spot in New Orleans.
29. “Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun” by Pink Floyd
As much as they were influenced by the moon, Pink Floyd was also inspired by the sun.
They released this unique track on their 1968 album “A Saucerful of Secrets.“
30. “Every Time The Sun Comes Up” by Sharon Van Etten
Unlike the protagonist in this song, I hope you’re not in trouble every time the sun comes up.
Either way, this is a gentle, dreamy tune written in Sharon Van Etten‘s recognizable style.
31. “Yellow Sun” by Crystal Fighters
In a way, most of the Crystal Fighters‘ songs sound like they were written on a beautiful sunny day.
And “Yellow Sun” will make you feel like you’re dancing in the yellow sun.
It was released on the band’s third studio album “Everything Is My Family.”
32. “Sun In Our Eyes” by MØ, Diplo
“I feel the sunlight on my head
The scent of summer in my bed
When we were footprints in the sand
Stealing liquor, making plans.”
“Sun In Our Eyes” was released in 2018.
In one of the press releases, MØ said that the song is about imaginary love and living in a bubble.
Either way, it’s a catchy, youthful tune ideal for a sunset dance.
33. “Solar Power” by Lorde
Lorde’s latest single sounds like an ode to the Sun. It’s simple, calming, and summerish.
“Solar Power” is a part of the album of the same name.
“My cheeks in high color, overripe peaches
No shirt, no shoes, only my features.”
34. “Brighter Than the Sun” by Colbie Caillat
It looks like Colbie Caillat really likes the sun.
Besides making a cover of “Here Comes the Sun“, she released this sunny song on her 2011 studio album.
“Oh, we could be the stars, falling from the sky
Shining how we want, brighter than the sun.”
35. “She’s Only Happy In The Sun” by Ben Harper
Ben Harper released this gentle, emotional song in 2003.
Although its lyrics indicate it’s a (sad) love story, “She’s Only Happy In The Sun” will help you appreciate simple things like enjoying beautiful sunny days.
Wrapping Up My List of the Best Songs About the Sun & Sunshine
Hopefully, this article helped you realize how much joy and calmness you can find in enjoying the sun.
Besides being incredibly beneficial for our health (in the right amount), the sun seems to be an endless inspiration for musicians.
It’s mostly associated with happiness and laid-back vibes, but it’s also a symbol of power and energy.
Either way, songs about the sun are rather versatile, and I hope you enjoyed our selection!
FAQs
What is the folk song about the sun?
A famous folk song about the sun is “The House of the Rising Sun”. It is a traditional folk song believed to be written in the early 20th century. It has been covered by many artists including Bob Dylan and The Animals, who had a popular version in 1964. The lyrics have been adapted over the years, making it hard to pin down an exact origin.
What old-school song is about the sun?
One of the best old-school songs about the sun is “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles from their 1969 album Abbey Road.
What song in the 1950s was about sunshine?
“You Are My Sunshine” by Doris Day is a popular 1950s song about sunshine. It was written by Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell in 1940 but covered by Doris Day in 1950. It is considered a classic in the genre of country and Western music and has been covered by numerous artists over the years.
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