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Johnny Nash — I Can See Clearly Now
Album: I Can See Clearly Now
Avg rating:
8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2903









Released: 1972
Length: 2:39
Plays (last 30 days): 3
I can see clearly now, the rain has gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright, bright sun-shining day
It's gonna be a bright, bright sun-shining day

I think I can make it now, the pain has gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is that rainbow I've been praying for
It's gonna be a bright, bright sun-shining day

Look all around, there's nothing but blue sky
Look straight ahead, nothing but blue sky

I can see clearly now, the rain has gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone're the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright, bright sun-shining day
It's gonna be a bright, bright sun-shining day
Gonna be a bright, bright sun-shining day
Gonna be a bright, bright, bright sun-shining day
Comments (237)add comment
 dandueck07 wrote:
Every time I hear this song I am reminded of a joke told to me by my oldest daughter when she was a teenager:
A guy with a girlfriend, named Lorraine, had tried many times to break up with her.  Finally, after all his failed attempts, he invited her to a bridge to look out at the spectacular view.  When Lorraine leaned over the railing for a better look, he gave her a shove.
Then he began to sing, "I can see clearly, now Lorraine is gone." 


I was introduced to this song by a friend singing "I can see Deidre now Lorraine is gone" and it took quite a while for me to hear it any other way. I'm glad I can now because this recording is gorgeous.
He died at 80... I hope he had all those years to enjoy the joy he gave to others with this song.
We play this every week. But, there's no way we can hold that note in the chorus like this. Just amazing when you think how long that is!
Really enjoying this song and all the others that preceded it 
such an upbeat song, perfect for me today at this moment!!
Somehow I forgot just how many hits Johnny Nash had. Somehow this is the only one I remember. Certainly, very memorable. I'll have to go listen to some of the others to clear the cobwebs from my thinning memory.
This is such an uplifting and optimistic song! I’ve always loved it. Takes me back to my teenage years and digging it then — as much as I do now. 
It took me 76 years to find Radio Paradise - slow learner, I guess.
Memories like this make it so worthwhile.
I remember helping a cover band in the Philippines transcribe these lyrics, listening to the jukebox - then back to the war.
It's lovely to here the original instead of the "remix" where extra instrumentation was added.  This is perfect as it is.  Thanks RP...
This is on my songs of mindless optimism playlist.
What more are you looking for in a song? 
I loved this song from the first time I heard it. Still love it....
 dowdog999 wrote:

Great story!

I had a similar experience when I was in my late teens. My friends call me in the middle of the night because their car broke down in a neighboring city. They had been out drinking. I know; dumb teens drinking and driving. Anyway, I go to pick them up and take each friend to his home, three in total. They surprise me with a case of Miller or some other such crappy beer. It was the eighties. We put it in the trunk.

On the way to the first home, we pass through the thickest fog of the year - zero visibility. I slow the car down to a crawl, but it's impossible to see more than a few feet in front of us and we end up encountering a hairpin curve. It's too late to correct and we dip one tire into the ditch. Then, as if in slow motion, the car flips over completely into the ditch. There we are, the four of us, strapped into the seatbelts, hanging upside down in shock. And what's rolling on the cassette player? Genesis - "There must be some misunderstanding. There must be some kind of mistake."



tks for sharing! LOL?
Great Tune! 
 kingart wrote:

My first real job was working in a dry cleaning store in my NJ hometown. 
It was a wintry day. I was driving the delivery van.
The top of the hill was coated with black ice. This song was on the radio — the theme music as the van spun lazily out of my control and careened slowly but fast enough, on the decline, to really fuck up the cars it was inevitably going to smash into. 
I can see clearly, still, as I howled as the van smacked into that parked Dodge Charger.
Larry didn't fire me. He saw my post-accident distress. He laughed. Said his f'in insurance broker could have the heartburn. 
Larry was terrific. 
I hear this song and am transported back to February 1974. 

 


Great story!

I had a similar experience when I was in my late teens. My friends call me in the middle of the night because their car broke down in a neighboring city. They had been out drinking. I know; dumb teens drinking and driving. Anyway, I go to pick them up and take each friend to his home, three in total. They surprise me with a case of Miller or some other such crappy beer. It was the eighties. We put it in the trunk.

On the way to the first home, we pass through the thickest fog of the year - zero visibility. I slow the car down to a crawl, but it's impossible to see more than a few feet in front of us and we end up encountering a hairpin curve. It's too late to correct and we dip one tire into the ditch. Then, as if in slow motion, the car flips over completely into the ditch. There we are, the four of us, strapped into the seatbelts, hanging upside down in shock. And what's rolling on the cassette player? Genesis - "There must be some misunderstanding. There must be some kind of mistake."
Perhaps the first song I remember hearing and appreciating, and still wonderful. 
I remember when this was all over the radio in '72, (just like The Poseidon Adventure was all over the movie-screens then...), but it was so uplifting to me, even in times of great distress in my young life...
I was 9 years old when this was all over the radio. I didn't care about politics, race, international intrigue, all I know is when this song came on it made me happy for the rest of the day. 
Every time I hear this song I am reminded of a joke told to me by my oldest daughter when she was a teenager:
A guy with a girlfriend, named Lorraine, had tried many times to break up with her.  Finally, after all his failed attempts, he invited her to a bridge to look out at the spectacular view.  When Lorraine leaned over the railing for a better look, he gave her a shove.
Then he began to sing, "I can see clearly, now Lorraine is gone." 
Lee Towers (sorry that's the only thing i think about)
 scrubbrush wrote:

Nash wrote this song himself and recorded it in London with members of The Average White Band

and all this time I had thought AWB were one hit wonders consigned to the ash bin of  musical anthology... my bad.

Temba...His arms wide.
Ahhhh....I see what you are doing there Bill given the date. I can see clearly now indeed! 
Always a 10 for me!      
Wonderful classic. Is this re-mastered? Sounds terrific. Maybe it's just the FLAC.
I last heard this in 1972.  Showing my age.  Great song.
It’s November 7, 2020, and today it is, indeed, a bright sun shiny day.
 jp33442 wrote:
Loved the song then, love it even more now
 
That's better.  Thanks friend.
 jp33442 wrote:
Hated the song then hate it now
 

Perhaps you had a bad experience when it was playing, when you were young. I think even the angels in heaven would love this song, if they exist. ;)
Wow, from then until now I thought this was a gal singing.
Hated the song then hate it now
 scrubbrush wrote:
I heard somewhere that this was written for Mr. Nash by Bob Marley... any takers?

EDIT
...2 minutes and one Google / wiki search later...

It is a common misconception<by whom?> that the song was written and/or previously performed by Bob Marley, possibly based on the fact that The Wailers were the backing band on Nash's original recording. Marley wrote Nash's next single, "Stir It Up". Nash wrote this song himself and recorded it in London with members of The Average White Band

 
Small correction: the backing band was the Fabulous Five Inc., not the Average White Band, which did not form until a couple years after Nash produced this track.
I don't get that in my part of the world, the Jimmy Cliff version is way more played than this one! This is so, so much better imho. Thanks B&R 😊 I know it's supposed to, but it does give one hope, doesn't it?
 cc_rider wrote:

Not a cover. The original and still the best.

from Wiki:
Writing and recording[edit]After Nash wrote and composed the original version, he recorded it in London with members of the Fabulous Five Inc.,[1] and produced it himself. Its arrangements and style are both heavily laced with reggae influences. Nash had collaborated with Bob Marley in the past,[2] and his approach drew strongly from Marley's reggae style.


To be fair, the song HAS been used to shill eyeglasses. 'Crizal', I think.

That's why we're here. Different strokes...
c.

 

UHH, I think the fool was referring to the cheesy album "cover" ; >

Marvelous and Iconic song, though!
Classic. I remember when this was all over the airwaves.
My favorite song!  {#Cheesygrin}  {#Roflol}  {#Cool}
With the strength of ten ordinary men!
If only a song like this makes a difference tomorrow.
 ustin4kick wrote:
The title itself could be an advertisement for some optician. This (horrible) cover makes it all complete.
 
Not a cover. The original and still the best.

from Wiki:
Writing and recording[edit]

After Nash wrote and composed the original version, he recorded it in London with members of the Fabulous Five Inc.,[1] and produced it himself. Its arrangements and style are both heavily laced with reggae influences. Nash had collaborated with Bob Marley in the past,[2] and his approach drew strongly from Marley's reggae style.


To be fair, the song HAS been used to shill eyeglasses. 'Crizal', I think.

That's why we're here. Different strokes...
c.

46 years. . . for 46 years I have loved this song and am looking forward to the next 46. Yay!
Some tunes are good & some are real good. listen up!
 Stefen wrote:
If this song were recorded now, would it sell?

 
By the bucket load!
{#Sunny}  What's not to like?  {#Sunny}
Love this! It's been too long since I've heard it.
Did I mention this my favorite song?    {#Biggrin}
 kingart wrote:
My first real job was working in a dry cleaning store in my NJ hometown. 
It was a wintry day. I was driving the delivery van.
The top of the hill was coated with black ice. This song was on the radio — the theme music as the van spun lazily out of my control and careened slowly but fast enough, on the decline, to really fuck up the cars it was inevitably going to smash into. 
I can see clearly, still, as I howled as the van smacked into that parked Dodge Charger.
Larry didn't fire me. He saw my post-accident distress. He laughed. Said his f'in insurance broker could have the heartburn. 
Larry was terrific. 
I hear this song and am transported back to February 1974. 

 

 
Great story!

This is a big part of why I like music so much: it can take you back to moments that happened decades ago in a heart beat.
Thank you for sharing this memory!
The title itself could be an advertisement for some optician. This (horrible) cover makes it all complete.

 
My very favorite song.
 Posted: Jul 15, 2012 - 12:13

hayduke2 wrote:
Mr Nash's beautiful song cheers me right up, it seems to heal negative vibes

 
hmm, so love this Johnny Nash song (I just had the same feelings for this song as I had almost 4 years ago : )

He is great in the 1959 film Take a Giant Step 
If this song were recorded now, would it sell?
My first real job was working in a dry cleaning store in my NJ hometown. 
It was a wintry day. I was driving the delivery van.
The top of the hill was coated with black ice. This song was on the radio — the theme music as the van spun lazily out of my control and careened slowly but fast enough, on the decline, to really fuck up the cars it was inevitably going to smash into. 
I can see clearly, still, as I howled as the van smacked into that parked Dodge Charger.
Larry didn't fire me. He saw my post-accident distress. He laughed. Said his f'in insurance broker could have the heartburn. 
Larry was terrific. 
I hear this song and am transported back to February 1974. 

 
 K_Love wrote:
I will never, ever tire of this song. The only thing I dislike about it is that it's way too short.
 

 

Agreed.
 MinMan wrote:
This is the man who introduced Jamaican reggae to US audiences.

 
Wasn't that Desmond Dekker?
I have successfully convinced my small son that this is one of the coolest songs IN THE WORLD. It really didn't take much effort on my part, to be honest....off to dance.
My wife got all excited when she heard Bill say 'Johny Cash', then this song started and she was totally disappointed. Still gets an 8 though! {#Cool}
A little premature...for the Bay Area, anyway.  Rain just started.

But regardless, I love the "Man in Black"!!  Burning Ring of Fire, Walk the Line, San Quentin...Yea, he was amazing!  I mean...oh wait, Johnny Nash?, not Johnny Cash...okay, never mind.
Not bad for a guy from Houston.
 kcar wrote:


Wow: double-mind blow. Instantly recognized the song..and then deep memory kicked in and woke up memories of Saturday morning cartoons with Hercules. Haven't seen that in decades. Not a bad cartoon. Loved the evil Daedalus: 

Daedalus from the cartoon



 
YES! One of my favorite cartoons from my childhood. Hercules, Newton, Helena, Daedalus....good times!

As for this song, I'm pretty sure when I was a kid that I thought this song was sung by a woman.
Ultimate class.  One of my top 10 songs.
I will never, ever tire of this song. The only thing I dislike about it is that it's way too short.
 
 iggam wrote:
I love this song from when I was a kid. I will, however, always associate it with a Steve Martin skit where he runs into a chandelier right after saying "I can see all obstacles in my way." 

 


 
I SO love this song!!
This is the man who introduced Jamaican reggae to US audiences.
I love this song from when I was a kid. I will, however, always associate it with a Steve Martin skit where he runs into a chandelier right after saying "I can see all obstacles in my way." 
If only this song were literal.

Can somebody do something about this spring's weather? Please?  

Must think about bumping this to a 10 imho.
 
 rdo wrote:


I'd like to hear some oldies, not a lot.  The problem is the old stuff that gets played on RP is too stuffy for me.  I like this one though.  Point taken though, it's valid.
 
Oldies?  What does that make me?
 Proclivities wrote:

...as does this tune, also sung by Johnny Nash:

 

Wow: double-mind blow. Instantly recognized the song..and then deep memory kicked in and woke up memories of Saturday morning cartoons with Hercules. Haven't seen that in decades. Not a bad cartoon. Loved the evil Daedalus: 

Daedalus from the cartoon

 Ljenny wrote:
This one brings me back to my youth.
 
...as does this tune, also sung by Johnny Nash:

Mr Nash's beautiful song cheers me right up, it seems to heal negative vibes
 vandal wrote:

No need to feel sorry for me.  I'm just tired of this song.  They play it 3x/wk on our oldies station.
 

I'd like to hear some oldies, not a lot.  The problem is the old stuff that gets played on RP is too stuffy for me.  I like this one though.  Point taken though, it's valid.
Always dug this song.
 bokey wrote:

I just want to google a random photo of any anonymous guy named Norm and post it here.{#Lol}

 Maybe George Wendt or whatever his name was.

 

 marcc wrote:
damn, i was 10 years old when this came out. for some reason, this feels like a summer song. i've not heard this in soooo long. good times!
 
^ Yes, yes, yes! Same here, except I was 7. I taught a little girl down the street, who was even younger than me, to sing this song during the summer. It brings back great memories of the simple joys of childhood!
 marcc wrote:
damn, i was 10 years old when this came out. for some reason, this feels like a summer song. i've not heard this in soooo long. good times!
 
I was 10 as well....living down at fripp island
damn, i was 10 years old when this came out. for some reason, this feels like a summer song. i've not heard this in soooo long. good times!

Perfect !


This song is pure magick.  It cannot be overplayed.
This one brings me back to my youth.
 LaurieinTucson wrote:

I second that emotion.

 
I don't. Seems to be more "classic MOR" on this station lately, much to my chagrin. I'd like to hear more off the beaten track stuff, and less of what I could hear on innumerable FM radio stations, North America wide.

 ScottFromWyoming wrote:

No it can't, and it can't refer to a single item (i. e. : one song), and even if it did mean what you say it means, this song would still be eclectic.

 
I just want to google a random photo of any anonymous guy named Norm and post it here. {#Lol}

 Maybe George Wendt or whatever his name was.

Haven't heard this song in years. Loved it when I was a kid.  Brings back memories.
It's going to be a great evening!:) And bright, bright, moony night!
Some version of this song - not this version I think - was used on a commercial for a window cleaning product that rhymes with Pindex. Now I can't hear this song without feeling an urge to go clean some windows.  For the record, this was from before I got the Tivo, so I'm much better now.
:-P

 vandal wrote:


I have a minor in English.  Eclectic can also mean "different from the norm."  What's your point? 
 

 
No it can't, and it can't refer to a single item (i.e.: one song), and even if it did mean what you say it means, this song would still be eclectic.

Always make me think of the opening scene from "Grosse Point Blank".  Great surreal scene with this playing in the background.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-230v_ecAcM 

"Don't tease me.  You know what I do for a living"  {#Lol}


 rabbi_phil wrote:
Classic oldie but goldie.  love it when RP sticks these in  the mix.
 
I second that emotion.

Maybe you should get your money back from the university.

 vandal wrote:


I have a minor in English.  Eclectic can also mean "different from the norm."  What's your point? 
 
 


Classic oldie but goldie.  love it when RP sticks these in  the mix.
Nice!
 vandal wrote:
I can see clearly now that the eclecticism is gone. . .

{#Yawn}

 
I know I'm kind of a broken record about this, but would you please look up the definition of the word "eclectic?"

I wish I could breathe clearly..  I hate being sick and stuck at work.   {#Fever}

 vandal wrote:
I can see clearly now that the eclecticism is gone. . .

{#Yawn}

 

Sorry that you feel that way. This song is joyful, and unique in its time.
I can see clearly now that the eclecticism is gone. . .

{#Yawn}

I heard somewhere that this was written for Mr. Nash by Bob Marley... any takers?

EDIT
...2 minutes and one Google / wiki search later...

It is a common misconception<by whom?> that the song was written and/or previously performed by Bob Marley, possibly based on the fact that The Wailers were the backing band on Nash's original recording. Marley wrote Nash's next single, "Stir It Up". Nash wrote this song himself and recorded it in London with members of The Average White Band

I can see clearly now, the brain is gone...   {#Drunk}
 scraig wrote:
wait, uh, so that wasn't Jimmy Cliff? Is this a cover or the other way around? I am so confused. {#Eek}
 

This is the original.
Nice to here this again...{#Music} Gonna be a blight, slumshiny day.....

wait, uh, so that wasn't Jimmy Cliff? Is this a cover or the other way around? I am so confused. {#Eek}
 romeotuma wrote:


This song is soooo good for the ears...
 

You can't stop him....you can only hope to contain him.
8 > 9  Just keeps getting better!  {#Sunny}
 a_genuine_find wrote:

Mmm, yes, I was 11 when this went Gold on the
top 40 on November 17, 1972, what a great tune
to bang into an 11 year old's head *7*

 
Same for me, I heard it once by chance when visiting family in Germany in 72. My cousins used to listen to a German radio station (Sud-West something) who used to keep space for American speakers for two (or three?) hours of music in the evening. It was such a great tune compared to the poor french disco of that time... We loved this one.

I always think that this is Carly Simon.
Nice follow up to Sunny Feeling there Bill.
 h9xh9xh9x wrote:
1972!!!
 {#High-five}


johnny nash i can see clearly album cover
Mmm, yes, I was 11 when this went Gold on the
top 40 on November 17, 1972, what a great tune
to bang into an 11 year old's head *7*



One of the first 45s I ever got.  Played it to death.

SI !! Great positive sound !!{#Guitarist}


{#Bounce}
 jagdriver wrote:
Never enjoyed this song, performed by ANYONE.
 

Especially not Johnny Nash. Fake reggae — bleh.
Never enjoyed this song, performed by ANYONE.
A CLASSIC!
EniwaMan wrote:
Yet the same work when viewed in a context where good art is appreciated somehow lends itself to...appreciation. Radio Paradise, then, is like a museum.
Very well put. And Bill is one hell of a curator.

Love the note he holds through the bridge ... amazing
Johnny Nash:  " He was also the first non-Jamaican to record reggae music in Kingston, Jamaica.
Besides "I Can See Clearly Now," Nash recorded several hits in Jamaica, where he travelled in early 1968, as his girlfriend had family links with local TV and radio host and novel writer Neville Willoughby. Nash planned to try breaking the local rocksteady sound in the USA. Willoughby introduced him to a local struggling vocal group, The Wailers. Members Bob Marley, Rita Marley and Peter Tosh introduced him to the local scene. Nash signed all three to an exclusive publishing and recording contract with his JAD label and financed some of their recordings, some with Byron Lee's Dragonaires and some with other local musicians such as Jackie Jackson and Lynn Taitt.
The "I Can See Clearly Now" album includes four original Marley compositions published by JAD: « Guava Jelly », « Comma Comma » « You Poured Sugar On Me » and the follow-up hit « Stir It Up ». « There Are More Questions Than Answers » was a third hit single taken from the album."  ~ Wikipedia

And the rest, as they say, is history...  {#Good-vibes}


I liked Cheech's version in "Up in Smoke".
man i love that song! it stopped raining in zagreb too :)
rantnraver wrote:
One of the most over played abused songs in history...but listening to it as music - and not soundtrack or commercial fodder - it is an amazing performance of a great song.
Seems to me this would be a concise and effective response to the more-than-occasional complaints which arise whenever Bill decides to spin an old classic that also happens to co-exist in the FM Oldies/Classic Rock worlds. Good music is art, and context is so important to how we perceive it and to whether and how we appreciate any particular display of it. This might explain how casually, almost automatically we can change the station when a great, but worn out classic tune appears on an FM station. Great song, maybe, but it's just as ignorable in that context as it would be to see a spectacular Monet or Van Gogh on a billboard or in a TV commercial. Yet the same work when viewed in a context where good art is appreciated somehow lends itself to...appreciation. Radio Paradise, then, is like a museum. Unlike FM commercial radio, it's a showcase for musical appreciation, rather than a vehicle for someone to co-opt music for commercial gain. As for this tune, brilliant, never gets old. The whole album is great.
Believe it or not, this song has Bob Marley's Wailers as the backing band on it.