Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine” from his first album in 1971 is definitely a classic that still resonates with listeners worldwide. The track features musical legends like Donald “Duck” Dunn and Stephen Stills, along with Booker T. Jones’ string arrangements, it’s a timeless masterpiece of soul music.
This song was Withers’ big break, hitting the charts and becoming a classic. Before fame, Withers worked on building bathrooms for airplanes. But after the success of “Ain’t No Sunshine,” his life changed dramatically overnight. To celebrate his journey from humble beginnings, the record company even presented him with a golden toilet seat as a playful nod to his past.
For those who might not know, Bill Withers drew inspiration for his song from the film “Days of Wine and Roses.” It’s a story of love and hardship, much like the song. The lyrics, though simple, carry profound meaning. Interestingly, they almost underwent a change, but fellow musicians encouraged Withers to retain the repeated phrase “I know,” which eventually became iconic.
Imagine a melody so compelling that it climbed back into the Top 40 charts in 2009, thanks to a rendition on American Idol. This is proved by the video below, reuploaded in 2018, which has amassed over 97 million views – an impressive number. Prepare to be captivated by the melody and lyrics of this timeless tune.
The comment section is flooded with praise for Withers’ performance, with plenty of people expressing their admiration for what he performed. One wrote, “I love this recording, there’s no reverb on the vocals and they’re super up-front, so it’s like he’s in the room with you through some good headphones. His voice is superb with no need for excessive ornament, and just feels so effortless for him. Beautiful.”