Brighter Than The Sun

Album: All Of You (2011)
Charted: 47
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The second single from Colbie Caillat's third album, All Of You, was written by the Californian singer-songwriter with Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, her friend since age 15. The hitmaker's other writing credits include "Bleeding Love" for Leona Lewis and "Halo" for Beyoncé.
  • The theme running through All Of You is the ups and downs of relationships, most significantly Caillat's boyfriend Justin Young. "He was in my band for two years before we noticed that we like each other," she explained. "I wrote most of this album about us, our ups and downs. All the songs are about life experiences, so I guess this record is more grown up, with a somewhat wiser perspective."
  • This song, like several others on the disc, is about the initial excitement at the beginning of a relationship. Said Caillat to PopEater: "A lot of the songs, like 'I Do' and 'Brighter Than the Sun,' are about being in love and so happy and thinking about future things with this guy."
  • Caillat put out an album of duets in 2025 called This Time Around with new versions of some of her older songs. On "Fallin' For You" she wrangled Walker Hayes to be her duet partner.

    "He's just so fun," Colbie said on the Off The Record podcast. "He's someone I'm really proud of in the industry for how he guides his career, how he focuses on his home life. He talks about his family and puts that first."

Comments: 1

  • Camille from Toronto, OhI love this song. It's so easy to listen to, so upbeat and I love the sound of Colbie's voice. The video shows her soft, sensual yet still gorgeous side and it's quite a breath of fresh air that she does not put screaming sexuality in your face. This song is a treat.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Yoko Ono

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.

Kim Thayil of Soundgarden

Kim Thayil of SoundgardenSongwriter Interviews

Their frontman (Chris Cornell) started out as their drummer, so Soundgarden takes a linear approach when it comes to songwriting. Kim explains how they do it.

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-Nighters

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-NightersSong Writing

These Three famous songs actually describe how they were written - late into the evening.

Colin Hay

Colin HaySongwriter Interviews

Established as a redoubtable singer-songwriter, the Men At Work frontman explains how religion, sobriety and Jack Nicholson play into his songwriting.

Bryan Adams

Bryan AdamsSongwriter Interviews

What's the deal with "Summer of '69"? Bryan explains what the song is really about, and shares more of his songwriting insights.

Who Wrote That Song?

Who Wrote That Song?Music Quiz

Do you know who wrote Patti Smith's biggest hit? How about the Grease theme song? See if you can match the song to the writer.