“Sunshine” is a song by the American pop-rock band OneRepublic, and it came out on November 10, 2021, as part of their sixth EP titled “Sunshine.”
The song “Sunshine” serves as the theme for the 2021 movie “Clifford the Big Red Dog.” The lyrics were written by Ryan Tedder and Brent Kutzle in collaboration with Casey Smith, Noel Zancanella, Tyler Spry, and Zach Skelton.
In this song, “sunshine” isn’t just a word for happiness; it also represents hope and the pursuit of joy despite life’s challenges.
In this article, we’ll explore the meaning behind these lyrics.
Table of Contents
“Sunshine” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
Crazy lately I’m confirmin’
Tryna write myself a sermon
You just tryna get a word in, life is not fair
I been workin’ on my tunnel vision
Tryna get a new prescription
Takin’ swings and even missin’ but I don’t care
In verse 1, the singer reflects on recent challenges.
He mentions trying to stay focused on his goals and seeking a new perspective.
Despite facing setbacks and taking risks, he remains determined and doesn’t let failure bother him.
[Pre-Chorus]
I’m dancin’ more just a little bit
Breathin’ more just a little bit
Care a little less just a little bit
Like life is woo-hoo!
I’m makin’ more just a littlе bit
Spend a little more to gеt rid of it
Smile a little more and I’m into it
In the pre-chorus, the singer describes positive changes in his attitude.
He mentions that he is dancing more, breathing more, and caring less, implying a carefree and joyful mindset.
He’s also making an effort to enjoy life more, spending money to enhance his experiences and finding more reasons to smile.
[Chorus]
I, I, I, I-I’ve been runnin’ through this strange life
Chasin’ all them green lights
Throwin’ out the shade for a little bit of sunshine
Hit me with them good vibes
Pictures on my phone like
Everything is so fine
A little bit of sunshine
In the chorus, he talks about his pursuit of positivity and joy in life.
He’s been chasing after opportunities (“green lights”) and leaving behind negativity (“shade”) to find a bit of happiness (“sunshine”).
He expresses a desire for good vibes and shares that he feels content, with pictures on his phone portraying a sense of well-being.
[Post-Chorus]
A little bit of sunshine
A little bit of sunshine
In the post-chorus, the singer repeats the phrase “A little bit of sunshine.”
It emphasizes his longing for and appreciation of moments of happiness and positivity in his life.
[Verse 2]
Another day, another selfish moment
I’ve been feelin’ helpless
Sick of seein’ all the selfies, now I don’t care
Found myself a new vocation
Calibrated motivation
No more static, change the station
Head to somewhere
In verse 2, the singer discusses his feelings of frustration and helplessness.
He mentions being tired of seeing self-centered behavior (selfies) and expresses a desire for change.
He describes finding a new purpose and gaining motivation to move forward. He no longer wants to be stuck in a routine and seeks a brighter path.
[Bridge]
I don’t really know any other way to say this
Can’t slow down tryna keep up with the changes
Punch that number in the name when I clock in
And now I feel like Michael with a cane when I walk in
Basically life is the same thing
Unless you don’t want the same thing
Probably shoulda went and got a feature, but I didn’t
I’ve been savin’ up the money ’cause it’s better for the business
In the bridge, the singer express a sense of frustration and urgency in his life.
When he sings, “I don’t really know any other way to say this,” the singer is suggesting that he struggles to convey his feelings or thoughts effectively, possibly because he’s dealing with complex emotions or situations.
He finds it difficult to pause or take a break because he’s constantly dealing with a fast-paced, ever-changing environment, as expressed in the line “Can’t slow down tryna keep up with the changes.”
The line “punching in that number when I clock in” is a metaphorical expression referring to starting work or beginning one’s daily responsibilities. It’s a common practice in many workplaces for employees to “punch in” or record their arrival by entering a personal identification number (PIN) or using a time clock.
The following line “And now I feel like Michael with a cane when I walk in” is a metaphorical comparison. It’s referring to the iconic pop singer Michael Jackson, who, later in his career, was known for using a cane or other aids due to physical ailments.
The singer conveys the idea that life tends to follow a routine or pattern unless a person actively seeks change or different experiences, as seen in the lines “Basically life is the same thing, Unless you don’t want the same thing.”
Here, the singer also mentions contemplating getting a feature (collaboration), but he decided to save money for the sake of his business.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Sunshine”
“OneRepublic’s song ‘Sunshine’ conveys a message of optimism, resilience, and the pursuit of happiness in the face of life’s challenges.
The singer acknowledges the difficulties and setbacks he’s encountered (“Crazy lately I’m confirmin’, Tryna write myself a sermon”), but he remains determined to find a brighter path.
In the song, “sunshine” serves as a powerful metaphor. It represents not only happiness but also hope and positivity. The singer embraces a carefree attitude, letting go of unnecessary worries and ‘dancin’ more,’ ‘breathin’ more,’ and ‘caring a little less.’ This shift in mindset signifies a conscious decision to focus on the good in life.
The singer’s act of chasing ‘green lights’ and casting away ‘shade’ to find ‘a little bit of sunshine’ signifies his determination to seek joy and surround himself with positivity, even in a world full of challenges.
Though the singer acknowledges his daily struggles, as evident in the lines ‘Basically life is the same thing, Unless you don’t want the same thing,’ he emphasizes that happiness and fulfillment depend on one’s willingness to break free from the routine and pursue their unique desires.
In the end, the song’s title “Sunshine” captures the idea that, like the warmth and light of the sun breaking through the clouds, we can find moments of happiness and hope in our lives, no matter the circumstances.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.