The song “Here Comes the Sun” is by the Beatles, an English rock band. They released it in 1969 on their album called Abbey Road. George Harrison wrote this song, and it’s one of his most famous works.
George came up with the song in 1969 while he was at his friend Eric Clapton’s country house. He skipped a meeting at the Beatles’ Apple Corps organization that day.
The lyrics of the song express George’s happiness about the arrival of spring and a break from the band’s business matters. It discusses how the sun symbolizes hope and positivity, a prevalent theme in songs of that era, such as ‘Good Morning Starshine’ and ‘Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In’ from the musical Hair.
In this article, we’ll dig deeper into what the lyrics mean.
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Inspiration Behind “Here Comes the Sun”
The early part of 1969 was tough for George Harrison. He took a break from the Beatles, got arrested for having marijuana, and had his tonsils removed. A guy named Barry Miles wrote in Oz magazine at the end of the year that the Beatles were feeling pretty isolated, especially George. He was upset about his arrest, not sure about his friends, but still singing Hare Krishna.
George wrote “Here Comes the Sun” while hanging out at his friend Eric Clapton’s house. He did it because things were pretty gloomy with the Beatles at that time.
George talks about all this in his autobiography, “I, Me, Mine.”
“Here Comes the Sun” was written at the time when Apple was getting like school, where we had to go and be businessmen: ‘Sign this’ and ‘sign that.’ Anyway, it seems as if winter in England goes on forever, by the time spring comes you really deserve it.
So one day I decided I was going to sag off Apple and I went over to Eric Clapton’s house. The relief of not having to go see all those dopey accountants was wonderful, and I walked around the garden with one of Eric’s acoustic guitars and wrote “Here Comes the Sun”.
“Here Comes the Sun” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
Little darling
It’s been a long, cold, lonely winter
Little darling
It feels like years since it’s been here
In Verse 1, the singer is expressing a feeling of longing and sadness.
He uses the metaphor of a “long, cold, lonely winter” to describe a difficult and lonely period in his life. He hasn’t seen the sun for a long time, which symbolizes happiness and hope.
The repeated use of “little darling” suggests that he may be addressing someone he cares about, sharing his feelings of isolation and yearning for better times.
[Chorus]
Here comes the sun (Doo-d-doo-doo)
Here comes the sun
And I say, “It’s alright”
In the Chorus, the singer is expressing a sense of relief and optimism.
When he sings, “Here comes the sun,” he’s indicating that a positive change is happening.
The repetition of “It’s alright” emphasizes his belief that things are getting better and that there’s a reason to be hopeful.
The “doo-d-doo-doo” adds a cheerful and catchy element to the song, reinforcing the idea that the arrival of the sun brings comfort and reassurance after a difficult period.
[Verse 2]
Little darling
The smile’s returning to the faces
Little darling
It seems like years since it’s been here
In Verse 2, George Harrison is expressing a sense of hope and happiness returning to people’s lives. He uses the phrase “Little darling” again to convey a feeling of warmth and affection.
By saying, “The smile’s returning to the faces,” he’s describing how people are becoming happier and more cheerful after a period of sadness or difficulty.
This verse suggests that the sun’s arrival has a positive impact not just on him but on others as well.
[Bridge]
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
In the Bridge, the singer repeatedly chants “Sun, sun, sun, here it comes,” to convey a feeling of eagerness and the idea that something wonderful is about to happen.
This verse adds a lively and upbeat element to the song, symbolizing the hope and positivity associated with the sun’s appearance.
[Verse 3]
Little darling
I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling
It seems like years since it’s been clear
In Verse 3, the singer is expressing a sense of gradual improvement and the melting away of difficulties. He uses the metaphor of ice slowly melting to represent the thawing of troubles or obstacles.
By saying, “I feel that ice is slowly melting,” he suggests that a sense of warmth and positivity is starting to replace the cold and negative aspects of life.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Here Comes the Sun”
“Here Comes the Sun” was released in 1969 on the Beatles’s album Abbey Road and is known as one of George Harrison’s most famous works. It’s a timeless anthem of resilience and the belief that, no matter how challenging life may become, brighter days are on the horizon.
The sun is often used symbolically in art and literature to represent light, warmth, and renewal. In this song, “Here Comes the Sun” serves as a metaphor for the idea that, even in the face of adversity and darkness, there is always the potential for a new dawn.
In early 1969, George Harrison faced challenges, including leaving The Beatles temporarily, legal issues, and health problems. To find solace, he stayed at his friend Eric Clapton’s country house. It was during this time that he got inspired to write “Here Comes the Sun,” expressing his relief from the band’s issues.
The song begins with the lines, “Little darling, It’s been a long, cold, lonely winter,” which convey the idea that after a long, cold, and lonely period (representative of personal and professional challenges), there is finally a sense of relief and the promise of better days ahead as the sun reappears.
The phrase “Little darling” brings forth a sense of intimacy and affection, as if Harrison is addressing someone close to his heart, sharing his feelings of isolation and yearning for positivity.
In the following lines, ‘Here comes the sun, And I say, “It’s alright,”‘ the singer suggests that even in the darkest times, a natural cycle of renewal and happiness exists.
The repeated “Sun, sun, sun, here it comes,” adds an element of joyful anticipation, underscoring the idea that the arrival of the sun symbolizes a fresh start and the end of troubles.
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