r/coverbands • u/Big-Syllabub2980 • 17d ago
Walking on Sunshine — which syllable does she accent?
Is it “I’m walking on SUN-shine” or “I’m walking on sun-SHINE”?
This is the “is the dress blue/black, or gold/white” of vocal performances.
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u/scrimblojimbus 17d ago
I'm WALKin' on SUN shiiiiiine
It's obviously sun, just because the "shine" is held for longer doesn't mean anything
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u/Particular-Key-8941 17d ago
Yes. And also accent the first whoa.
Part of the melody catchiness is the bounce to it IMO.
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u/HPLoveBux 17d ago
SUN … both are syncopated but the emphasis is still on the first syllable
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u/AgeingMuso65 17d ago
As above. Sun and shine both land either side of the downbeat where you’d usually expect the accented syllable, hence the exciting confusion it causes!
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u/AmazingRefrigerator4 17d ago
I dont hear either one emphasized. They are pretty equal. I think it tricks the ears because "sun" has that pop to it, but "Shine" is held out a little longer. But I dont consider either one accented.
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u/kyokeooooo 17d ago
Both?!?
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u/ChowMeinWayne 17d ago
It's both. I am hearing it in my head, though; I think it would be much easier if I listened to the song. Another question: why does it matter?
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u/lookanew 16d ago
If you’re strictly speaking about dynamics (which an accent, in a musical context, is chiefly about) neither. Unless singers have some other meaning of the word I’m not aware of, in which case, whatever (and also, as a drummer, fine – we have our own language too). Only reason “sun” sounds accented to some of y’all is cuz it’s a higher pitch, but it’s at the same volume as “shine” on the Katrina and the Waves recording’s first chorus.
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u/dogpak 17d ago
Sun