Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: folk
Song Meaning of “Sunshine in Chicago” by Sun Kil Moon
Sunshine in Chicago is a song about accepting and savoring small moments of joy in spite of sadness and disappointment. The song’s narrator is in the midst of some outwardly harsh realities, and yet he’s still holding onto hope for something better. The lyrics paint a picture of a city with deep injustices and inequality, yet there are still moments that bring joy and beauty to the narrator. The voice of the narrator is one of both lament and appreciation for his circumstances, and it’s through this appreciation, that he is able to find joy in his life.
The song’s chorus focuses on the narrator appreciating the small things in life and the tangible bliss that comes with moments of beauty in a difficult world. The narrator activities weaves together the idea of finding sunshine in Chicago, a city that is synonymous with hard times and tough circumstances, often serving as a gut-wrenching reminder of the inequitable state of today’s society.
Throughout the song, the narrator expresses feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of the world, but ultimately, the message carries a sense of hope. He’s found joy in life’s simple pleasures, no matter the circumstances. The narrator takes pleasure in the small moments of beauty that sun brings through a break in the darkness, signifying what little, yet infinitely valuable, joys life has to offer. At the end, the narrator accepts his place in his world, despite its harshness, and takes pleasure in the beauty of the moment. Sunshine in Chicago is a reminder to appreciate the small moments of joy that life has to offer, even in the midst of hard times.