I have been looking for this feel good track forever, and just after lamenting to a friend that it was one of those (the "so common yet classic that no one sells them or throws them away unless they melted in the attic") I found it on my first day back at Wax Trax in Denver. Bill Withers has written some of the most classic American soul/funk anthems ("Lean on Me", "Ain't No Sunshine", "Use Me", and even "Just the Two of Us"), yet few people know his name--and those who do drop it every chance they can. His beautiful arrangements and honest lyrics created a legacy that has been sampled/bit countless times (blackstreet, arrested development, etc.) and even spawned some secular spirituals that everyone can wave their lighter to. The intro to this song really brings a smile to my face as does the sustained "lovely day" in the chorus. You have heard it before, hopefully many times, but listen again to the way this song unfolds, or check out this really bad "sunshine mix" from '88 that was a pretty big Euro hit (even bigger than the original). Still waiting for the documentary which should be out soon!Bill Withers' "Lovely Day"
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