Song 4 - In the Sun by Joseph Arthur

This story and the origins of why this song is on the jukebox is a universal story that anyone who listens to music can relate to.  I first heard a snippet of In the Sun by Joseph Arthur as part of a promo commercial for Dawson's Creek. With the lyrics of the opening lines touching my soul immediately.  I then spent a number of weeks trying to match the lyrics to the song. This was in the days before Shazam. It wasn't until singing the opening lyrics "I picture you in the sun wondering what went wrong" to a friend did I come close to solving the mystery. Two days later my friend came back and told me name and the love affair with the whole song started. I love this tune as its lyrics and melody appeal to me whether I am happy or sad. For me whenever I hear it it always leaves me feeling humble and grateful for everything I have.

The song was written by Joseph Arthur in the 1990s and was covered by Peter Gabriel, who discovered Joseph Arthur, on the tribute album for Diana, Princess of Wales. It wasn't until 2001 that it was released as a single from the album "Come to where I'm from" in 2001 by Arthur himself. There weren't many copies of the single released. I wish I owned one of them. 

In 2005, in response to Hurricane Katrina, Michael Stipe of R.E.M recorded the song to raise money for the relief programme. I found this recording on itunes, where it was exclusively released and I instantly bought the EP. The EP has about four versions of the song, which include recordings with Chris Martin of Coldplay, Will.I.AM and Justin Timbelake as well as Joseph Arthur himself. Stipe's version has a piano accompaniment to it where as the original has guitar at the start of it. It may be quite strange to some people to have about 5 different version of the same song in one collection; but I think it is credit both to the strength of the song and the artists who recorded that I will quite happily listen to all five versions and despite the number of times I have heard it, it can still bring a tear to my eye. 


R.E.M and Coldplay will be featured in the Jukebox in their own right as they are two pillar of my musical diet; and I would say that Coldplay's X&Y album was one of the most inspirational albums I listened to when I was writing the first draft of my novel.
Listen to the song and accept it as a musical hug from me to you (sorry nearly put a Beatles reference in here)
The original version
Michael Stipe and Chris Martin's version
Written by: Joseph Arthur



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QotZ7TIaztw
I think he looks like John Lennon singing this at Glastonbury

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9wNSXLNgOw

Album: Come to where I'm From