It's dark, and hell is hot

Ain't no sunshine when it's on
Only darkness every day
Ain't no sunshine when it's on, 'cause when it's on
You niggas know to be gone, every time, 'cause we don't play

"Who turned out the lights?" is what niggas be sayin'
Now you don't wanna fight, but y'all niggas be playin'
Thinkin' it's alright, keep playin' with that role
And you gonna know the night when you layin' in that hole
Dirt gettin' tossed in your grave, now it's all over
Preacher said you was brave, but now it's all over
You just one of the many plenty I done gave it to
Ain't no savin' you
No matter how many tears your moms cried
Ain't gon' bring your ass back, plus in hell you gon' fry
Why? But now the only two relative questions
Is "do we bury him or burn him? Any suggestions?"
Either way, you up out of here for good
Now when niggas mention your name, they knockin' on wood (aight)
Did I get my point across?
Another body on the shottie, another joint I toss

Ain't no sunshine when it's on
Only darkness every day
Ain't no sunshine when it's on, 'cause when it's on
You niggas know to be gone every time, 'cause we don't play

Every time, 'cause we don't play
Every time, 'cause we don't play

It ain't no sunshine when the dark man comes out
And I want mine, so I plan to keep my gun out
We got four nines, so niggas run in and run out
But I bust mine, 'cause I'd like to hear some shouts
Get at me dog, niggas know how it's goin' dizzy
When it comes to that flow, I gets busy
Who is he? Dark man of the unknown (rrr, arf)
One dog, one bone
Now who ain't goin' home? Looks like you
You hit strike one, talkin' shit, strike two
Won't be a strike three, 'cause I don't play fair
I'ma look you in your eye while he hit you from the rear
Be like, yeah, holdin' you up 'cause you fallin' (what?)
The Lord ain't comin', so nigga, stop callin'
You was ballin' a minute ago, in it for dough
'Til it was, "yo, I swear to God, I didn't know"

Ain't no sunshine when it's on
Only darkness every day
Ain't no sunshine when it's on, 'cause when it's on
You niggas know to be gone, every time, 'cause we don't play

Every time, 'cause we don't play
Every time, 'cause we don't play

And I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
What you think you gon' get, fuck around with my dough
Just so it ain't no mistakes, this is my show
One (one) two (two) three, here I go
Your shit is quick, and your shit is slick, but this shit is thick
Ain't you hear this shit? Damn right, I can finish shit
If you caught that verse without a rewind, you can see mine
But you'd be blind, I'll do it 360 and come up from behind
Tap you on your shoulder, have you turnin' around
Hit you with somethin' that'll have you burnin' the ground
Be like, "damn, ain't nothin' left of money but a pile of ash"
Life is good, so please enjoy it while it lasts
'Cause you know ain't got much longer to go
The quicker you go depends on the stronger the flow
Well, niggas know, I don't give a fuck, right or wrong
But ain't no sunshine when it's on

Ain't no sunshine when it's on
Only darkness every day
Ain't no sunshine when it's on, 'cause when it's on
You niggas know to be gone every time, 'cause we don't play

Every time, 'cause we don't play
Every time, 'cause we don't play


Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings

No Sunshine Lyrics as written by Earl Simmons Damon J Blackman

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

No Sunshine song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

19 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    Song Meaning

    Since nobody here even attempted to contribute some possible meaning behind the song, Ill tel lyou what I think.

    I think it is a message of how life can end at anytime, and he seems to suggest that you should live it to the fullest every chance you get. "Life is good, so please enjoy it, while it lasts" this message seems to be contrasted with the rest of the verses which are detailing how bad the "Street" can be.

    Also, the song is probably a tribute to Bill Withers, hence the similar chorus, and melody.

    Now instead of spamming the comments section with your foolish argument about rap, you guys should be reading the lyrics and coming up with your own ideas for the meaning.

    Wayne0188on January 08, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    you would think that you would find some meaning to this song, considering that it is on songMEANINGS.com ?? ??

    Maximus61585on December 06, 2001   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I just love this tune. I heard it on Exit Wounds and just loved it. It's kinda depressing, but it's a cool tune. I can't really seem to find any meaning in it quite yet.

    zacsteron April 16, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    rap is gay

    Polson24on May 04, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I aggree with Polson, but I like this song...

    PapaRoacher_5kon May 09, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    ay diz aint even my fuckin sn but yall needz 2 reconize, X iz da man an da song iz dope ya heard me?

    Smithers_punkon May 22, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    ok what the hell were u trying to say. i might not be up on this "street talk" but god damn get a fuckin life.

    logan_6969on May 23, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    hahaha

    LICKMYGRUNDLEon July 28, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Ez a szám qrva jó! És DMX is egy király rapper! És az a fux a nyakában! Hmmm.... kedvenc, és jó pasi és jól nyomja nagyon!

    csutkion August 28, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    ok this is a good song. i love the tune. DMX is hot. haha yeahhhh but dont diss the way ppl talk

    swindler123on September 23, 2002   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him. There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
When We Were Young
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Album art
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.