The Warmth Of The Sun

Album: Shut Down, Vol. 2 (1964)
Play Video
  • What good is the dawn
    That grows into day
    The sunset at night
    Or living this way

    For I have the warmth of the sun
    (Warmth of the sun)
    Within me at night
    (Within me at night)

    The love of my life
    She left me one day
    I cried when she said
    "I don't feel the same way"

    Still I have the warmth of the sun
    (Warmth of the sun)
    Within me tonight
    (Within me tonight)

    I'll dreams of her arms
    And though they're not real
    Just like she's still there
    The way that I feel

    My love's like the warmth of the sun
    (Warmth of the sun)
    It won't ever die
    (It won't ever die) Writer/s: BRIAN WILSON, MICHAEL LOVE
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 21

  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaProbably some of the BEST HARMONIES they ever did was on this song. I remember where I was that day. My class was eating lunch outside in our lunch area and someone had their radio on, that was how I heard the news. we didn't have a TV yet so I've only seen the videos of the funeral ect second hand so to speak.
  • Martin from Fresno, CaUplifting song. It always reminds me that there is always something good like the sun.
  • Deethewriter from Saint Petersburg, Russia FederationIn response to the November 22, 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Brian Wilson and Mike Love wrote “The Warmth of the Sun” the very next day.
  • Reed from New Ulm, MnMixMaster----i agree. it's hard to even describe how beautiful this song is. Truly, one of their best numbers.
  • John from Cincinnati, OhThe two most beautiful songs are both by The Beach Boys: This one and "Spirit of America".
  • Dan from Los Angeles, CaAlthough it was on the "Shut Down Vol. II" album released in early 1964, it didn't get alot of airplay until it was placed on the B-side of the single "Dance Dance Dance" at the end of the year.
  • Ginna from New Port Richey, Flsurf's up ..by the beach boys - even better...hey Phil I like your taste in great music.
  • Ginna from New Port Richey, Fli think that's so great that you like the Beatles If I Fell !!! My girlfriends and I love that song !! (and we were'nt even born when Paul McCartney and John Lennon wrote it!!)
  • Ginna from New Port Richey, FlMy mom always said that this song God Only Knows by the Beach Boys is the prettiest song she has ever heard and now that I know it too I agree!!!
  • Ginna from New Port Richey, FlOh ! I Love that song God Only Knows !! It's so pretty and such a beautiful song!! My girlfriends and I love that song!! :) That;s the opening song for Big Love isn't it?
  • Barry from Str, Njit was great to see Brian get "Smile" out of his past... also to see the appreciation and honors bestowed upon him.
  • Phil from New York, NyRE: "God Only Knows" : While Rolling Stone magazine recently named it #25 on its list of greatest songs of all-time, it only reached #39 on the US charts in 1966 (although it did reach #2 in the UK). Sir Paul McCartney has said that it is the greatest love song of all time. The song "God Only Knows" is part of the The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll list.[5] The song was also recognized by Pitchfork Media as the number one "greatest song of the 1960s" in their feature on the 200 Best Songs of the 1960s.[3]

    Paul McCartney has expressed on a number of occasions about his love for the song. In an interview with David Leaf in 1990 he stated that "It's a really, really great song---it's a big favorite of mine. I was asked recently to give my top ten favorite songs for a Japanese radio station...I didn't think long and hard on it, but I popped that [God Only Knows] on the top of my list. It's very deep. Very emotional, always a bit of a choker for me, that one. There are certain songs that just hit home with me, and they're the strangest collection of songs...but that is high on the list, I must say...God Only Knows' lyrics are great. Those do it to me every time."[2]

    Bono said in October 2006 during Brian Wilson's induction into the UK Music Hall of Fame that "the string arrangement on God Only Knows is fact and proof of angels.
  • Phil from New York, NyIt's also nice to see conformation of one's opinions!! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_Only_Knows
  • Phil from New York, NyWhoa. Even Paul McCartney loves "God Only Knows"! Right on and good call!
    Gary Forras, San Bernardino, CA

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_Only_Knows
  • Keely from Bronx, NyMurry Wilson, Brian's dad, recorded an instrumental version of this song for his 1967 album "The Many Moods of Murry Wilson."
  • Niall from Dublin, Irelandgreat tune

    Long live brian wilson
  • Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScUm Rona... That's not exactly right. If that were the only reason, the the Beatles wouldn't as popular as they still are 40 some odd years later.
  • Rona from West Pittston, PaThe Beatles got more number 1's so people must think they are better.
  • Bobodobo from Los Angeles, CaWhile most Beach Boys songs (and most other popular music, for that matter) have relatively familiar (chord progressions), this song is really unusual. Every time I show the chords to a guitar-playing buddy, their reaction is something like, "what? how can you make a song out of that?" But we're not Brian Wilson, are we? The combination of the strange chords, that never really stay in one key for more than a few measures, plus the Beach Boys trademark vocal harmonies, make for a swirling, ethereal feel, like the sounds that would go along with the patterns you see on your eyelids while looking at the (warm) sun with your eyes closed. I don't know if that's what Wilson and Love were trying for, but they certainly got it.

    A real masterpiece IMHO. Certainly the Beach Boys most under-rated song ever.
  • Gary from Auckland, New ZealandThis must be the highlight of the 'Good Morning Vietnam' soundtrack, with 'I Get Around' and 'Nowhere to Run'. Of course the Beach Boys are known for their upbeat attitude, but 'Don't Worry Baby' on the same album wasn't exactly lightweight either -- a lot deeper than the Beatles were at that time, until they met Bob Dylan.
  • Mix Master Wipe from Adelaide, AustraliaSuch a beautiful song, Brians voice is heaven sent!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Rick Springfield

Rick SpringfieldSongwriter Interviews

Rick has a surprising dark side, a strong feminine side and, in a certain TV show, a naked backside. But he still hasn't found Jessie's Girl.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went Mainstream

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Petula Clark

Petula ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Petula talks about her hits "Downtown" and "Don't Sleep In The Subway," and explains her Michael Jackson connection.

Eric Burdon

Eric BurdonSongwriter Interviews

The renown rock singer talks about "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."

Gene Simmons of Kiss

Gene Simmons of KissSongwriter Interviews

The Kiss rocker covers a lot of ground in this interview, including why there are no Kiss collaborations, and why the Rock Hall has "become a sham."