“We’ll Sing in the Sunshine” was a hit song written and recorded by Gale Garnett in 1964. It was originally written for her boyfriend, Hoyt Axton, but she released her own version a year after he released his. Her version of the song rose all the way to number four on the Billboard Hot 100. It also hit number one on the Billboard Easy Listening chart, where it spent seven weeks. The song won a Grammy for Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording. The song was also inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015.
One listener on YouTube said, “The real blessing is that we grew up in the ’60s and we are still here enjoying the music!” Another echoed the sentiment, saying, “All of us who grew up in the ’60s are the luckiest people on the planet. To have grown up listening to gems like this one is a true blessing.”
When the song was inducted, Singer-songwriter and JUNO nominee Royal Wood said, “I grew up listening to AM radio stations and being influenced by iconic songs like ‘We’ll Sing in the Sunshine.’ As a songwriter, Garnett perfectly captured the spirit of the 60’s – the song’s message of peace and happiness still resonates today.”
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Garnett added, “As a writer, particularly as a songwriter, it’s an honor to have ‘We’ll Sing in the Sunshine’ inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. This song has had an amazing journey, and I’m so pleased to see its legacy live on through the CSHF and CBC/Radio-Canada’s Covered Classics series.”
The song has been covered by many famous artists over the years, including Dolly Parton, Dean Martin, Wayne Newton, and Sonny and Cher.
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Garnett is known as a one-hit wonder. However, she released many more songs like “Excuse Me Mister,” “Where Do You Go to Go Away,” and “Fly Bird.” In addition to singing, she also worked as an actress, typically appearing in supporting roles. She was also a writer and released the book Visible Amazement.
Garnett is currently 84 years old.