The phenomenon of the Sun has long influenced artists in various fields. In music the Sun's light has often inspired composers to write everything from songs to symphonies. In classical music it's not surprising to see music written about the sunrise, sunset, morning and afternoon. It's not just the classical music that has been influenced by the Sun. In cultures which worship a Sun god hymns or songs dedicated to and even about the Sun god can be found.

Music that isn't Sun related can sometimes be seen in cartoons and movies to depict the sunrise or morning. An example of this is Gioacchino Rossini's William Tell Overture. While this piece is not a piece of music about the Sun, it is often used in cartoons as music for the morning. The other piece that is commonly found in cartoons for morning is Greigs Morning. Other pieces like Debussy's prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune (afternoon of a fawn) use the Sun to depict a fawn in the afternoon sunlight.

The following are some of the songs, or the words to songs, that we believe capture the depth to which the Sun has influenced our music.

• Sun Hymn - From "The Egyptian Book of the Dead"
• Sun Song - By: Karen Smale
• Excerpts from: The Great Hymn to Shamash
• Faust, Part I, Prologue in Heaven
• Here Comes the Sun - By: George Harrison

©Copyright 1998 Elizabeth Beckett, Holly Bernitt, and Vishwa Chandra.