Captain Sunshine

Album: Moods (1972)
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Songfacts®:

  • Had this song been done by almost anyone else, it would surely be a drug song. However, from Neil Diamond it remains a cryptically haunting song about Captain Sunshine being able to "make me feel fine, when I'm wrongly down" and who "makes the words rhyme when the tune is sad." Who or what is the mysterious Captain Sunshine? No idea. All we know is that he "walks so pure between the earth and the sea." Definitely a very spiritual song. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Kelley - Hickory, KY

Comments: 9

  • Roc Remington from CaliforniaThis is a stretch but Captain Sunshine could be Jesus. "Makes me drink wine" (Blood of Jesus).
  • David J Harvey from AustraliaI really like "Captain Sunshine".
  • Rodney Pearson from Long Beach, CaliforniaThis song is definitely about Jefferson Kewley and Fred Smoot. Jefferson is one of my best friends since 1971 and I was lucky enough to be there as they worked their magic on tour in England in 1972 when Fred Smoot and Albert Brooks did impromptu comedy routines during Neil's show in Bristol. Tommy Smothers was also along for the tour!
  • Michael G. from Buffalo, NyAccording to the book "Solitary Star: A Biography of Neil Diamond" by Rich Wiseman, the song "Captain Sunshine" was inspired by comedian Fred Smoot and percussionist Jefferson Kewley who were always cracking jokes and making Neil laugh. As stated on page 103:

    "Mood elevators that they were, Smoot and Kewley, who would later serve as inspiration to Neil's tune 'Captain Sunshine', found themselves welcome between tours at Neil's house."

    The song "Captain Sunshine" was written in 1972 which was 5 years before Vince Charles joined Neil's band so it couldn't have been written about him. The confusion comes in because Neil dedicated the song "Captain Sunshine" to the memory of Vince during Neil's 2001-2002 world tour.
  • Bt from N.irelandWyatt from Vancouver states: "This song was written about Vince Charles who played percussion in Neil's band for 25 years. He was a close friend of Neil's and he had the ability to get him to relax." Eh? It's about the big hot ball in the sky that keeps us all alive!
  • Laura from New ZealandI have followed ND's music since I was 18 (now 65). This particular track got me fuddled but I think I have to agree with you that Captain Sunshine wasn't about alcohol but it more about Genesis when God created Heaven and made it a firmament between the Earth and the Sea, and he called it Heaven.

    I wonder whether the Captain Sunshine song from that derivative.
  • Barbara from Columbus, OhioLove this song even before I knew what it was about. Listen to it.
  • Wyatt from Vancouver, BcThis song was written about Vince Charles who played percussion in Neil's band for 25 years. He was a close friend of Neil's and he had the ability to get him to relax.
    Mr. Charles passed away as a young man of 55 years in 1991.
  • Coy from Palestine, TxWhat a great song by Neil Diamond! It always reminds me of my father.
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