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
Taken from the song Ain’t No Sunshine by soul legend Bill Withers from his debut album Just as I am (1971). What a voice.
Let’s dance in style, let’s dance for a while
Heaven can wait we’re only watching the skies
Taken from the song Forever Young from the 1984 debut album of the same name by the German band Alphaville. Though not a success in either the UK or US, the song has been covered numerous times and was memorably used in the film Napoleon Dynamite.
So this is what you meant
When you said that you were spent
And now it’s time to build from the bottom of the pit
Right to the top
Don’t hold back
Taken from the song It’s Time by Imagine Dragons, from their debut album Night Vision (2012). It was the breakout single for the Las Vegas band, who have had continued success with their following two albums.
Oh, simple thing, where have you gone?
I’m getting old, and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you’re gonna let me in
I’m getting tired, and I need somewhere to begin
Taken from the song Somewhere Only We know by East Sussex band Keane, from their debut studio album Hopes and Fears (2004). Originally a UK top 3 hit, it was later covered by Lily Allen, who topped the charts in 2014. I also really recommend Everybody’s Changing, from the band’s same album.
Kissing like a bandit stealing time
Underneath the sycamore tree
Cupid by the hour sends valentines
To my sweet lover and me
Slowly, Surely
Yours appetite is more than I know
Sweetly, Softly
I’m falling in love with you
The opening verse of US number one Wishing Well by the super slick Terence Trent D’Arby, from his debut studio album Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D’Arby (1988)
All around me are familiar faces
Worn out places, worn out faces
Bright and early for their daily races
Going nowhere, going nowhere
Their tears are filling up their glasses
No expression, no expression
Hide my head, I wanna drown my sorrow
No tomorrow, no tomorrow
The opening lines of the song Mad World by Bath duo Tears For Fears, from their debut album The Hurting (1983). As well as being a big hit for the group, a more sombre version of the song became an unlikely non-festive Christmas number one and won an Ivor Novellor award for songwriting, the second for the British band. I also quoted another of their delightful songs here and have tickets to see them live next year.
I looked out this morning and the sun was gone
Turned on some music to start my day
I lost myself in a familiar song
I closed my eyes and I slipped away
The opening lines of the hugely popular song More than A Feeling by Boston from their self-titled debut album. While Boston (1976) was a success (more details here) and the band’s output has sold 75m copies worldwide, you’ll struggle to find a catchier and toe-tapping riff.
You’re dripping like a saturated sunrise
You’re spilling like an overflowing sink
You’re ripped at every edge but you’re a masterpiece
And now you’re tearing through the pages and the ink
Taken from the song Colors by New Jersey singer songwriter Halsey, from her debut album Badlands (2015).
I cannot help it I couldn’t stop it if I tried
The same old heartbeat fills the emptiness I have inside
And I’ve heard that you can’t fight love, so I won’t complain
‘Cause why would I stop the fire that keeps me going on?
Taken from the song ‘I’d rather be in love’ by Michelle Branch from the album The Spirit Room (2001)
Sunday morning, praise the dawning
Taken from the song ‘Sunday Morning’ by The Velvet Underground & Nico, from their self-titled album
Alex Raphael 