“Walking on Sunshine”
A Reason To Smile
As we emerge from what has been a hellacious winter for many of us, this week’s reason to smile is a reminder that there are sunnier days ahead. Forty-one years ago Sunday, English rock band Katrina and the Waves got everyone up on their feet with their insanely catchy tune “Walking on Sunshine.”
The song, which was a top ten hit in the U.S. and the U.K., propelled the group to stardom and earned them a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.
“Walking on Sunshine” was written by the band’s lead guitarist, Kimberley Rew. “I’d love to say ‘Walking on Sunshine’ relates to a significant event in my life, like walking out of my front door, seeing a comet and being inspired. But it’s just a piece of simple fun, an optimistic song, despite us not being outstandingly cheery people,” Rew told The Guardian in 2015.
The song has been used in dozens of advertising campaigns and television and movie soundtracks. The longevity of its popularity is testament to people’s desire for the simple delight of singing along to a joyful song.
Katrina Leskanich, the band’s lead singer, once said she believes the song will outlive her.
It took Katrina and the Waves more than a decade to match the success of “Walking on Sunshine.” In 1997, the band won the hugely popular Eurovision Song Contest with “Love Shine a Light,” a song written to celebrate a British charity.
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Stay Steady,
Dan
Great tune to wake up to Dan. It would be nice to have that optimistic feeling again. Seems like it’s been way too long.
Different topic….i believe you should write an op-ed piece for the NYT on the tragic ending of CBS Radio News. I know they would print it coming from you. Brings tears to my eyes when I think about it.
Thank you - I am walking on sunshine-if but for a brief moment.