Rays the roof: 20 essential songs with 'sun' in the title

The Beatles’ 1969 track “Here Comes The Sun" is one of the band’s most popular songs. On the track, they sing about dealing with a long winter and are happy that brighter and better days are ahead.

Producer and DJ Amorphous became a viral sensation when he posted a mash-up on Twitter of Rihanna’s “Kiss It Better” and Luther Vandross’ “Never Too Much.” Fat Joe and DJ Khaled were so inspired by the mash-up that they linked up with Amorphous along with production duo Cool & Dre to collaborate on their single “Sunshine (The Light)."

Natasha Bedingfield knows how to make a breezy song that can make listeners feel better. That’s exactly what she did on her hit song “Pocketful of Sunshine.” On the track, she stresses about having a sweet escape from dealing with anything that’s troubling her. 

Although Steve Lacy has been a member of the band The Internet for several years now, he truly became a rising star with his sophomore solo album, Gemini Rights. He teamed up with Fousheé on his third single, “Sunshine,” which finds him catching feelings again for an ex-lover after a brief encounter. 

In 1985, rock band Katrina & the Waves released their debut album, Walking on Sunshine, helmed by the eponymous lead single. The upbeat track is about feeling good and encourages listeners to be optimistic. 

In 2006, rapper Lupe Fiasco released his debut album, Food & Liquor. On the track “Sunshine,” Fiasco details meeting someone and going on a first date. As he says on the hook, “You’re my sunshine, you’re my moonlight / You’re the starry skies above me / Won’t you please come down and hug me? / Think I found love in this club tonight.” 

In 2004, Norah Jones released her sophomore album, Feels Like Home, led by the single “Sunrise.” Jones’ tone glides perfectly on the folk ballad as she compares the morning sun to her lover’s eyes.

When people think of reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers, their track “Sun is Shining” is a popular song that comes to mind. “Sun is Shining” finds Marley reflecting on how the sun represents a new day, no matter what the previous day brought. 

Ever heard a song that feels like it should be played during a beach day? That’s the type of feeling listeners get when they hear Weezer’s “Island In The Sun.” On the track, the band sings about a sweet escape to an island with the person they love. As they sing on the hook, “On an island in the sun / We’ll be playing and having fun / And it makes me feel so fine / I can’t control my brain.” 

In 1970, rock band The Doors released their fifth album, Morrison Hotel. One of the album's deep cuts is “Waiting for the Sun,” in which they sing about dealing with the ups and downs and life, but the sun represents a new day. 

In 2004, rapper Lil' Flip released his third album, U Gotta Feel Me, which featured his hit single “Sunshine.” He released the track right before the summer months, and it has the perfect beat for that “song of the summer” type of feeling. On the track, Flip raps about being interested in a potential partner who could eventually be the sunshine he wakes up to. 

In 2018, singer-songwriter MØ released her sophomore album, Forever Neverland. She teamed up with producer Diplo on the second single, “Sun In Our Eyes.” On the track, MØ describes being in love with someone that people warned her about, but she wants to continue working on the relationship. As she sings on the hook, “And just ride that wave until we’re higher than life / With the sun in our eyes.” 

In 2016, rapper Westside Boogie released his third mixtape, Thirst 48, Pt. II. On the track “Sunroof,” the MC brings a smooth and mellow vibe to describe how a partner makes him feel. It's evident on the hook: “I love you like the Westside / Fingers out the sunroof / Won’t you let your wings loose? / Look at all your stress fly.” 

In 1970, James Taylor released his critically acclaimed sophomore album, Sweet Baby James. The album’s final single, “Sunny Skies,” finds Taylor describing someone dealing with depression, which starkly contrasts the song’s title. 

Jamiroquai’s 2005 single “Seven Days in Sunny June” describes two longtime friends having a romantic rendezvous, but the interest in taking their relationship to another level doesn't seem to be mutual. In the second verse, they sing, “Seven days in sunny June / Were long enough to bloom." Basically, one party claims they’ve been friends too long and wouldn't want to ruin the friendship by pursuing something further.  

In 2010, Michael Franti & Spearhead released their hit single “The Sound of Sunshine.” The track finds them detailing how people go through life’s ups and downs, but they know that brighter days are always on the horizon. It may be hard to keep one’s head above the water most days, but people continue to look for that sunshine and persevere. 

Pop singer Colbie Caillat is no stranger to making music that feels like summer. She did just that with her 2011 single “Brighter Than The Sun,” in which she describes finding love when she least expected it. As she sings on the hook, “Oh, this is how it starts, lightning strikes the heart / It goes off like a gun, brighter than the sun.” 

In 1971, Bill Withers released his hit song “Ain’t No Sunshine.” On the track, Withers details the feelings of loneliness and darkness when his lover leaves him, and he wonders if he lost her for good. He sings, “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.” 

Sheryl Crow’s 2002 single “Soak Up The Sun” is about how everyone may not be wealthy, but there’s something sweet about appreciating what they have. As she sings on the bridge, “I’m gonna soak up the sun / While it’s still free / I’m gonna soak up the sun / Before it goes out on me.” 

In 2001, N.E.R.D released the debut album In Search of… One of the album's deep cuts is “Run To The Sun,” which highlights a man confessing his love to his partner. He realizes he didn’t always show his love and affection and fears his partner may leave him for good. They sing on the hook, “I want to tell you something / It's that I love you girl / And I wish we could run to the sun and never come back.”