Ain't No Sunshine

Bill Withers

Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
It's not warm when she's away
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And she's always gone too long
Anytime she goes away

Wonder this time where she's gone
Wonder if she's gone to stay
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And this house just ain't no home
Anytime she goes away

And I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know
Hey, I oughta leave young thing alone
But ain't no sunshine when she's gone

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
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away


Lyrics submitted by Nelly

Ain't No Sunshine Lyrics as written by Bill Withers

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Ain't No Sunshine song meanings
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33 Comments

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  • +5
    General Comment
    This song is about an older guy in love with a younger girl and how bittersweet it makes him feel. He aches for her when she's not around, but at the same time he knows she's too young and the relationship can only bring him heartache.
    law4on March 27, 2009   Link
  • +4
    General Comment
    I love it when he repaets I know halfway through the song, great break-up song.
    kfe2on February 04, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    This song reminds me of My gurl who is another State right now, I miss her bad and I play this and it just makes me feel better about her,she'll be back soon God Love her TrO_DeN 2002
    Murder_and1_xzibiton September 28, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    this song was in Old School too. Great song!!!
    woodcock92627on June 15, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Song Makes me think of a relationship between a man and someone younger then him. They shouldn't be together and because of how it's so looked down upon from everyone else they have to keep it hidden and can not see each other as much as they want to. So when she's gone he misses her and loves her but he knows he shouldn't be with her. It's nothin but toxic love
    Rosephoenixx_0399on August 31, 2016   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    "And she's always gone too long..." Yes, to me, a young girl on Christmas Vacation, Winter Break, Spring Break, or it's Summer Vay-Cay!!!! --- Dave
    DaveAMKrayoGuy on February 22, 2022   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Pretty sure this is the meaning. Bill Withers was inspired to write the song after watching the 1962 movie Days of Wine and Roses.The film depicts the downward spiral of two everyday Americans, played by Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick,who succumb to alcoholism and attempt to deal with their problems. They were both alcoholics who were alternately weak and strong. It's like going back for seconds on rat poison. Sometimes you miss things that weren't particularly good for you. It's just something that crossed my mind from watching that movie." Bill Withers
    nigel63on February 25, 2023   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    was this song in notting hill???
    xxxDARKIRISxxxon May 23, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    yea it was
    LiveUrLifeon May 23, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    It's a classic without a doubt...I caught onto this tune after I saw Notting Hill...this is an old school classic.
    OpinionHeadon January 19, 2005   Link

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