Track DescriptionAvailable in:
"The Warmth of the Sun" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love for the American rock band The Beach Boys. It was released on their 1964 album Shut Down Volume 2 and as the B-side of the "Dance, Dance, Dance" single, which charted at number eight in the United States and number twenty-four in the United Kingdom. Brian Wilson produced the song, and the rest of the album.
The song was written by Brian Wilson (music) and Mike Love (lyrics) in Brian's office the evening of John F. Kennedy's assassination. It was inspired by the emotional shock felt by its authors over the death of President John F. Kennedy.
Donald A. Guarisco who recently reviewed the song stated "The sublime balance of lush vocals and sensitive songwriting made "The Warmth of the Sun" one of the Beach Boys' finest and most moving ballads."
In 2008, Mike Love mentioned in Uncut Magazine "The melody that Brian came up with was very melancholy. I'd had an experience where this girl I liked decided she didn't want to reciprocate, so I wrote the lyrics from the perspective of, 'Yes, things have changed and love is no longer there, but the memory of it is like the warmth of the sun…' It was looking for a silver lining in that cumulus nimbus, accentuating the positive. I wanted our music to provide a sonic oasis, a place where literally you could go, like in 'In My Room,' and tell your troubles to - or at least lose yourself in the music."
The song was covered by the Wilsons' (Brian, Carl and Dennis) father on his one and only album, The Many Moods of Murry Wilson, which was released in 1967 under Capitol Records.
Willie Nelson, with the boys providing harmonies, covered the song for the cover album, Stars and Stripes Vol. 1.
In 2006, it was covered by Matthew Thiessen and the Earthquakes, the solo side project of Relient K singer Matt Thiessen.
Vince Gill performed a cover version at "An All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson (2001)" concert.
In 2006, Matthew Sweet and Bangles lead singer Susanna Hoffs recorded the song for their collaboration, Under the Covers, Vol. 1.
In 2010, Rumer recorded a version on the b-side of her single "Aretha".
File HashesNone Found...