Entertainment • Song

Ain't No Sunshine

"Ain't No Sunshine" is a 1971 song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Bill Withers for his debut album, *Just As I Am*.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

"Ain't No Sunshine" is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Bill Withers for his debut album, *Just As I Am*. Released in 1971, it became Withers' breakthrough hit and remains one of his best-known songs. The track earned a Grammy Award and has been widely recognized through cover versions and media use.

Background and writing

Bill Withers wrote "Ain't No Sunshine" after being inspired in part by the 1962 film *Days of Wine and Roses*. The song reflects the loneliness and emotional absence described in its lyrics. It was produced by Booker T. Jones and featured session musicians including Donald "Duck" Dunn, Al Jackson Jr., and Stephen Stills.

Release and chart performance

The song appeared on Withers' 1971 debut album *Just As I Am* and was released as a single the same year. It became his first major hit in the United States, reaching number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 6 on the U.S. R&B chart.

Recognition and legacy

"Ain't No Sunshine" won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1972. It has been cited on influential lists of the greatest songs of all time and has been recorded by many other artists. The song also has Canadian relevance, with one source reporting it reached number 9 in Canada in a later chart appearance following Bill Withers' death.

Key facts

"Ain't No Sunshine" was released in 1971 as a single from Bill Withers' debut album *Just As I Am*.
It became Withers' breakthrough hit, reaching number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 6 on the U.S. R&B chart.
The song won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1972.
It has been widely covered and included on major greatest-songs lists.

🍁

Canadian context

The song has Canadian relevance through chart and radio recognition; one source reports it reached number 9 in Canada in a later chart appearance following Bill Withers' death.[13]

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote "Ain't No Sunshine"?

It was written and recorded by Bill Withers.

What album is "Ain't No Sunshine" from?

It appears on Bill Withers' debut album *Just As I Am*.

When was "Ain't No Sunshine" released?

It was released as a single in 1971.

How did "Ain't No Sunshine" perform on the charts?

It reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 6 on the U.S. R&B chart.

Did "Ain't No Sunshine" win any awards?

Yes. It won the 1972 Grammy Award for Best R&B Song.

What inspired Bill Withers to write the song?

Withers said he was inspired after watching the film *Days of Wine and Roses*.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ain't_No_Sunshine
Supports: Song authorship, album, release year, producer, musicians, and U.S. chart performance.
Gold Radio — https://www.goldradio.com/features/song-facts/bill-withers-aint-no-sunshine/
Supports: Inspirational background and song history.
Wikipedia — https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ain't_No_Sunshine
Supports: Grammy award and chart positions.
The Independent — https://www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium/aint-no-sunshine-bill-withers-b2021675.html
Supports: Song legacy, Grammy mention, and later covers/sampling.
Song Meanings and Facts — https://www.songmeaningsandfacts.com/aint-no-sunshine-by-bill-withers/
Supports: Bill Withers' stated inspiration from *Days of Wine and Roses*.
Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/Jazzcorner/videos/the-story-of-aint-no-sunshine-bill-withers-was-31-and-working-at-a-factory-makin/698599502441048/
Supports: Anecdotal detail about Withers' life context and inspiration source.
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Withers
Supports: Bill Withers' identity and significance, plus the song's place in his career.