Nora Jones/Norah Jones Lyrics, Meaning & Videos

Sunrise
Nora Jones/Norah Jones Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴Sunrise, sunrise
Looks like mornin' in your eyes
But the clock's held 9:15 for hours
Sunrise, sunrise
Couldn't tempt us if it tried
'Cause the afternoon's already come and gone

And I said

Hoo, ooh, ooh, ooh
Hoo, ooh, ooh, ooh
Hoo, ooh, ooh, ooh
To you

Surprise, surprise
Couldn't find it in your eyes
But I'm sure it's written all over my face
Surprise, surprise
Never something I could hide
When I see we made it through another day

Then I say
Hoo, ooh, ooh, ooh
Hoo, ooh, ooh, ooh
Hoo, ooh, ooh, ooh
To you

Now the night
Will throw its cover down
On me again
Ooh, and if I'm right
It's the only way
To bring me back

Hoo, ooh, ooh, ooh
Hoo, ooh, ooh, ooh
Hoo, ooh, ooh, ooh
To you
Hoo, ooh, yeah
Hoo, ooh, ooh, ooh

Hoo, ooh, ooh, ooh
To you


Overall Meaning

In this song, Nora Jones describes a relationship that is at a point of settling down. The image of a sunrise implies a new beginning, but it is not actually the start of the day. The clock is at 9:15, and a sense of time passed without action is implied. The singer compares the futility of trying to start something in the morning, when it is already past due, with the feeling of trying to awaken a relationship that has already settled into a comfortable pattern. The afternoon has come and gone; it is too late for new energy, but the bond has not yet broken apart.


The singer tries to hide disappointment over the lack of surprise in their relationship. However, the relief of knowing that another day has passed without disruption is felt by both partners. There is an acknowledgement of the past and present, a willingness to accept what is and to move forward with what's comfortable. The night "will throw its cover down" on the singer again, alluding to the darkness and the uncertainty that might come with it. The only way to face this darkness is with a connection with a loved one.


Line by Line Meaning

Sunrise, sunrise
The start of a new day is symbolized by the sunrise


Looks like mornin' in your eyes
The singer feels like she can see the sunrise in the person's eyes


But the clock's held 9:15 for hours
Time seems to be at a standstill and the day hasn't really begun even though it looks like the morning


Sunrise, sunrise
Repeating the opening line to emphasize the feeling of a new day beginning


Couldn't tempt us if it tried
Nothing can change the fact that the day has already started and it's now the afternoon


'Cause the afternoon's already come and gone
The day has progressed beyond the morning and afternoon and it's now closer to nighttime


And I said Hoo, ooh, ooh, ooh Hoo, ooh, ooh, ooh Hoo, ooh, ooh, ooh To you
The singer sings a refrain to emphasize her point that the day has already passed


Surprise, surprise
The singer is surprised


Couldn't find it in your eyes
The singer can't tell if the person can see that the day has passed


But I'm sure it's written all over my face
The singer's surprise is evident in her facial expression


Surprise, surprise
Repeating the earlier line to emphasize that the singer was surprised


Never something I could hide
The singer can't help but show her emotions on her face


When I see we made it through another day
Despite the surprise that the day has passed, the singer is happy that they made it through the day intact


Then I say Hoo, ooh, ooh, ooh Hoo, ooh, ooh, ooh Hoo, ooh, ooh, ooh To you
The singer repeats the earlier refrain to emphasize that they made it through another day


Now the night
The day has come to an end


Will throw its cover down
Nighttime is descending and everything is being covered by darkness


On me again
The singer has been through this cycle before


Ooh, and if I'm right
The singer has a feeling that things will be the same as they have been before


It's the only way
The cycle of day and night will always repeat


To bring me back
This cycle of day and night gives the singer a sense of familiarity and comfort


Hoo, ooh, ooh, ooh Hoo, ooh, ooh, ooh Hoo, ooh, ooh, ooh To you Hoo, ooh, yeah Hoo, ooh, ooh, ooh Hoo, ooh, ooh, ooh To you
The singer sings the final refrain to emphasize the comfort that the cycle of day and night brings


Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Norah Jones, Lee Alexander

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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