Marvin Gaye - Sunny

Published on Jan 12, 2013
"Sunny" is the name of a song written by Bobby Hebb. It is one of the most covered popular songs, with hundreds of versions released. BMI rates "Sunny" number 25 in its "Top 100 songs of the century."

Hebb wrote the song after November 22, 1963, the day U.S. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated and Hebb's older brother Harold was stabbed to death outside a Nashville nightclub. Hebb was devastated by both events and many critics say that those events inspired the tune. According to Hebb, he wrote the song as an expression of a preference for a "sunny" disposition over a "lousy" disposition. Events influenced Hebb's songwriting, but his melody, crossing over into R&B (#3 on U.S. R&B chart) Country and Pop (#2 on U.S. Pop chart), together with the optimistic lyrics, came from the artist's desire to express that one should always "look at the bright side" - a direct quote from the author. Hebb has said about "Sunny":

"All my intentions were just to think of happier times -- basically looking for a brighter day -- because times were at a low tide. After I wrote it, I thought "Sunny" just might be a different approach to what Johnny Bragg was talking about in 'Just Walkin' in the Rain.'"

"Sunny" was originally part of an 18-song demo recorded by producer Jerry Ross, also famous for Spanky and Our Gang, Keith's "98.6" and Jay and the Techniques (Hebb was the first artist to cover "Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie", but didn't want to be considered a novelty act and let the song go to Jay Proctor). "Sunny" was first recorded in Japan by Mieko "Miko" Hirota -- the "Connie Francis of Japan", where it was said to have done well on the charts. In America it was released by marimbaphonist Dave Pike on Atlantic Records in 1966 on the Jazz for the Jet Set album, well before Philips released Hebb's 45 version produced by Ross and arranged by Joe Renzetti. This information was made public -- as well as sounds from the first two versions of "Sunny" -- on the BBC's Songlines program in early 2006.

"Sunny" was recorded at Bell Sound Studios in New York City and released as a single in 1966. It met an immediate success, which resulted in Hebb touring in 1966 with The Beatles.

Hebb also had a minor hit on Billboard's R&B chart with a 1975 updated disco reworking of the song, entitled "Sunny '76".

Sunny, yesterday
My heart was filled with rain
Sunny, you smiled at me
And really eased the pain

Oh, the dark days are done
And the bright days are here
My sunny one shines so sincere
Oh sunny one, so true, I love you

Sunny, thank you
For the sunshine bouquet
Sunny, thank you
For the love you've brought my way

You gave to me your all and all
Now I feel ten feet tall
Oh sunny one, so true, I love you

Sunny, thank you
For the truth you've let me see
Sunny, thank you
For the facts from A to Z

My life was torn like wind blown sand
Then a rock was formed when we held hands
Sunny one so true, I love you

Sunny, thank you
For that smile upon your face
Sunny, thank you
For that gleam that flows with grace

You're my spark of nature's fire
You're my sweet complete desire
Sunny one so true, I love you