Failed relationships seem to be a running theme on Steve Lacy’s upcoming album, Gemini Rights. The first two singles off the LP, “Mercury” and “Bad Habit,” both touched on Lacy’s rocky love life. Now, the singer, songwriter, and producer has returned with “Sunshine,” which sees Lacy attempting to have a casual fling with an ex whom he still has feelings for. Since its arrival, the song has soared into the upper reaches of the Genius Top Songs chart.
“Sunshine” was written and produced by Lacy, Karriem Riggins, and Jersey-born singer-songwriter Fousheé, who also features on the track. Lacy takes the first verse, where he recalls running into his ex for the first time since he broke things off.
Been a couple months since I told you, “It’s over”
Caught me off guard when I saw you last week
His ex has changed a lot—for the better—since he last saw her, and Lacy wants to start things up again.
Safe to say, after me you peaked
Still’ll give you dick anytime you need
Fousheé hops in for the pre-chorus, and she tells a different story of the breakup. Lacy may have ended things, but he certainly didn’t come out on top.
You’re takin' it twice as hard
Criticize me all you want
The former lovers can’t quite seem to quit each other on the hook.
But I’m always gonna be where you are (Where you are)
Where you are
On the second verse, Fousheé knows Lacy has yet to find a better lover. If they could just sort through their emotions and put their differences aside, she’d be willing to let him back in her life. The catch: They’d have to keep things casual.
And you always chasin', you can’t replace it
Put those feelings back where they came from
Why can’t we just get along? Or, at least, let’s get it on?
Lacy ends the verse by agreeing to her terms and conditions.
Honestly, I wouldn’t mind, I would do it one more time
I would let you cut the line just so I could be right where you are
On the outro, however, the emotions he was supposed to keep in check have gotten in the way again.
If I’m always gonna be there, then I might as well
I don’t know about you, but, ah, come on
I still, I still love you, I still, I still love you
“Sunshine” arrived alongside a music video directed by the duo rubberband. In the clip, Lacy and Fousheé perform the song while both are suspended from a crane.
You can read all the lyrics to “Sunshine” on Genius now.
