Sally Sunshine – Clive Bruce
Sally Sunshine – Clive Bruce
The story goes that Clive Bruce’s stepmother, Virginia Lee, brought a copy of the song ‘Sally Sunshine’ back with her when she returned from a trip to the UK. It is likely that the version she brought back (if it was a single rather than a demo tape or sheet music) would have been by a guy called Miki Anthony. No matter exactly how Clive first heard the song, he liked it enough to record his own version and it proved a good idea as it gave him his first (of 2) Springbok Top 20 hits where it would peak at 11. It would also top the LM Radio charts for 2 weeks.
When you first put it on, it doesn’t immediately grab one, sounding a little bit like a kids’ nursery song with a xylophone and a single bass note accompanying Clive’s vocal. But then a tambourine arrives and you start thinking, ‘this okay although I’m still not convinced.’ Then comes the chorus and you know you will be humming the song (well the chorus) for a good while as it is a nice little sing-a-long one.
Not to be confused with The Everly Brothers song with the same title, ‘Sally Sunshine’ by Miki Anthony also has that kids’ feel to it and it is in the innocence of it that the song’s appeal lies. It is pleasant pop from the early 70’s and would probably be an easy choice for a list of 1,001 catchy choruses you must hear before you go deaf. Still, it was a hit for Clive, the SA public enjoyed it enough as it brought some sunshine to our lives.
Where to find it:
Various Artists – The Best of SA Pop Volume 1 (1994) GMP, CDGMPD 40485 (CD)
Video:
1001 South African Songs You Must Hear Before You Go Deaf 