Tag Archives: Ain't No Sunshine

Music Monday: May 11, 2026

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

#musicmonday #musicblog #musicandlyrics

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Singer, songwriter & musician Bill Withers released his debut album, Just As I Am, 55 years ago on May 1, 1971. Only four months later the record-produced by Stax star musician Booker T. Jones & featuring Stephen Stills on guitar-reached #39 on the Billboard 200 while the first single peaked at #3 at the same time. It became Withers’ signature song, a classic R&B staple and put him center stage in the genre. The then 32 year old airline mechanical assembler wrote 10 of the 12 songs with two covers included, a Beatles track (“Let It Be”) and a song from a movie (“Everybody’s Talkin'” from 1969’s “Midnight Cowboy”).

Withers’ second album, Still Bill, was released a year later in May 1972. It gave him his first #1 song, “Lean On Me”, which reached the top spot for three consecutive weeks two months later.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Elvin Bishop’s sixth studio album, Struttin’ My Stuff was released at the end of 1975. Fifty years ago, it peaked at #18 in May 1976, the same month the first single peaked at #3 on Billboard’s Hot 100. It became an instant classic rock powerhouse and introduced us to vocalist Mickey Thomas who sang lead on the song. I have been enthralled with this track from the first note and my obsession shows no signs of waning any time soon. I first outlined my adoration for this song on Day 36 of my Lockdown Countdown:

“It was written by Elvin Bishop, a guitarist who was an original member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band in the 1960’s.  He left to form his own group in 1968 and played alongside such notable acts as the Allman Brothers Band, the Grateful Dead and John Lee Hooker.  Bishop also sang but when he was recording his 1975 album, Struttin’ My Stuff, he did not think his voice was polished enough to record today’s song.  So he asked one of his backup singers, Mickey Thomas, to do it.  The result was epic.

His vocal delivery, the soul in his voice and the power behind it were as close to perfect as one could hope for.  And added to Bishop’s guitar riffs, great lyrics and sublime arrangement, it turned this song into a powerhouse hit of the 1970’s.  It went on to become a rock classic and earned Thomas the lead singer spot with Jefferson Starship after original member Marty Balin’s departure.  Thomas may not be as well known as other blue eyed soul greats like Michael McDonald and Daryl Hall, but there is no denying the contribution he made with this song.  I truly believe a great soulful rock vocal does not get much better than this.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Elvin Bishop (L) and Mickey Thomas (R) in an undated photo. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

In March 1991 another singer, songwriter & musician-Marc Cohn-released his self-titled debut album. The first single is a wonderful autobiographical tale of a pilmigrage he made to one of Tennessee’s most famous cities. It became a Top 20 hit that remains a popular track 35 years after its debut. It was nominated for Song Of The Year & helped earn Cohn the Best New Artist Award at the 34th Annual Grammy Awards in 1992.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bill Withers: “Ain’t No Sunshine” (1971, written by Bill Withers).

Elvin Bishop: “Fooled Around And Fell In Love” (1975, written by Elvin Bishop).

Marc Cohn: “Walking in Memphis” (1991, written by Marc Cohn).

Stay safe & well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 220

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Thoreau quote 2

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

I need to correct a terrible oversight. It has taken me until Day 220 to feature today’s song. I could have sworn I chose this song in one of my initial posts since I love it so much but especially after finding out the singer passed away earlier this year on March 30. I posted a tribute on Instagram but was under the impression I already included it here. I did not. My sincerest apologies for making you wait over seven months for this piece of magic.

The first time I heard this song I was seven years old. My mother had just picked me up from school & brought me to the “beauty parlor” (as hair salons were called in those days) with her as she & her mom were getting their hair done. I was standing next to her telling her about my day when this song came on. I was immediately entranced by the hauntingly beautiful music & the dark sadness of the singer’s voice. I was completely lost in the enjoyment of this track as the singer sang “I know, I know, I know, I know, I know” when my grandmother started yelling about how annoying the song was & wondering if the record was skipping. It jolted me out of my reverie and I looked at her in disbelief. How could a song that was literally music to my ears hurt hers so? Why did she not get how simply gorgeous it was? I guess that was my first introduction to the proverbial generation gap. I never forgot that moment or that song. I think it is outstanding.

It is from Bill Withers 1971 debut album, “Just As I Am”. It was released when he was 33 years old working at an aircraft company in California. It includes two fabulous covers-The Beatles “Let It Be” & Harry Nilsson’s “Everybody’s Talking”. But it is today’s nearly perfect track that made people take notice of his talent. What a difference a two minute song made to his life and ours.

“Wonder this time where she’s gone
Wonder if she’s gone to stay
Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone
And this house just ain’t no home
Anytime she goes away“.

Bill Withers 1971

Bill Withers circa 1971. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bill Withers: “Ain’t No Sunshine” (1971, written by Bill Withers).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.