1966 Songs: Sunny

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Yes, I used this last year in the “sunshine” countdown. But it’s back, this time to celebrate its 60th anniversary as a hit. One of the happy, upbeat, joyous songs of the mid-60s, inspired by tragedy. Here’s today’s song. Sunny - Bobby Hebb If you remember, I told the story about how this sweet, happy, optimistic tune was written by Bobby Hebb in 1963…following the murder of his brother. Hebb later said that he thought of this as the antithesis of a sorrowful song like “Just Walkin’ in the Rain” (used previously in the 1956 countdown). Here’s something else interesting: for all the sweet, soulful sounds of this song, Bobby Hebb’s career began in country music. Really! He was born, raised, and died in Nashville, and the country music influence there was inescapable. One of his earliest gigs was working on a TV show with the legendary Owen Bradley (the man who produced Patsy Cline’s hits). He was also invited to perform on the Grand Ole Opry. One of the joyful songs of the mid-60s! Sunny Written by Bobby Hebb Recorded by Bobby Hebb From Sunny, 1966 The dark days are done: