Songwriting Analysis: Shawn Colvin “Sunny Came Home”

Shawn Colvin: A Few Small Repairs

Having won her myriads of awards such as multiple Grammys, Shawn Colvin’s “Sunny Came Home” is a certifiably impactful song.  In this video I discuss three points of interests for us songwriters:

  1. Big jumps in the chorus melody: makes it distinct, dramatic and memorable
  2. Long chord sequences in the verses: more interesting than predictable three- or four-chord sequences
  3. Bridge’s deviation both lyrically and musically: build up contrast and drama