Sun Is Shining

“Sun Is Shining” is a song by Jamaican reggae band Bob Marley & the Wailers, first appearing on the Lee Perry-produced album Soul Revolution Part II in 1971, and then on African Herbsman in 1973. Marley later re-recorded the song for his 1978 album Kaya. In 1999, a remix by “Bob Marley vs. Funkstar De Luxe” reached #1 on the US Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart and #3 on the UK Singles Chart.

Although having become one of the most popular Marley songs, “Sun Is Shining” used to be a fairly unknown and seldom-performed number during Marley’s lifetime. Up to date, only 2 live performances are documented; however, both took place under special circumstances. On June 16, 1978, Marley performed at The Music Inn in Lenox, Massachusetts, a concert having been rescheduled twice since 1976, and played an over 2-hour set. “Sun Is Shining” was the opening song, reportedly included spontaneously as it stopped to rain. On July 23, 1978, Marley performed an outdoor concert at the Santa Barbara Bowl that included “Sun Is Shining” as opening song; just before the song, Marley introduced the performance by referring to Haile Selassie’s birthday on the same day.