Sunrise, Sunset

"Sunrise, Sunset"is a song from the musicalFiddler on the Roofwritten in 1964 by composerJerry Bockand lyricistSheldon Harnick.The song is performed at the wedding of Tzeitel (Tevyeand Golde's eldest daughter). The two parents sing about how they can't believe their daughter and her groom have grown up, while Hodel and Perchik sing about whether there may be a wedding in the near future for them.

Production

Lyricist Sheldon Harnick said:

I do remember when we wrote "Sunrise Sunset," the first person we played it for was Jerry Bock's wife... and when I finished, then I looked at Jerry's wife Patti and I was startled to see that she was crying. And I thought, my goodness; this song must be more effective than we even know. And the same thing happened – I am not a pianist but the music to "Sunrise Sunset" is easy enough so that I could learn the piano part – and I played it for my sister. And when I finished I looked and she had tears in her eyes. And that was a very unusual experience.

The albumSheldon Harnick: Hidden Treasures (1949-2013)features the demo recording of "Sunrise, Sunset" featuring Harnick, accompanied by composer Jerry Bock.Harnick said, "This CD set is supposed to be the unknown songs, and the two men who created it, Bill Rudman andKen Bloom,when they said they wanted to use "Sunrise, Sunset," I said, but that's a very familiar song. They said, not with you singing it. "

Critical reception

The Irish Timessaid the song has a "hypnotic chorus".AllMusic deemed it one of the film's "famous and now-standard songs".Splash Magazinenamed it one of the musical's "big Broadway numbers".TheStyle Weeklycritic said the song, along with Tradition, had "infectious strains".The Des Moines Registernoted that the musical "melts into bittersweetness" at this song.TheNorthampton Chroniclecritic opined that it was "poignant".Virtual Shropshire's critic wrote that the song "wrings the heart... as Tevye's daughters approach marrying age."Register Citizendescribed the song as a "heartbreaking parental cry to slow down the years, to keep their children young: 'Wasn't it yesterday when they were small?'"AZ Central noted the song was "haunting and emotional".Blue Coupe wrote, "Musically, the scene's centerpiece is the classic 'Sunrise, Sunset'".

Recordings

• Anthony Newleyand Linda Hibberd (1995) —Fiddler on the Roof [1995 Studio Cast]
• Bing Crosbyrecorded the song for his 1972 albumBing 'n' Basie.
• Johnny Hartmanrecorded the song for his 1964 albumThe voice that is
• Eddie Fisher— included in his albumEddie Fisher Today!(1965)
• In late 1966,Roger Williamsreleased his instrumental version.This version made it to #84 on the USHot 100,and #5 on theEasy Listeningchart.
• Harry Jamesreleased a version in 1967 on his albumOur Leader!(DotDLP 3801 and DLP 25801).
• Jerry Vale— for his albumGreat Moments on Broadway(1966)
• Perry Como— included in his albumLook to Your Heart(1968)
• Robert Goulet— for his albumOn Broadway(1965)
• Miriam Makeba on the album RCA LSP3512
• Lee Morgan—Delightfulee(1967)
• Roger Whittaker— for his albumThis Is Roger Whittaker(1969)
• Bobby Vinton— for his albumBobby Vinton Sings the Newest Hits(1967)
• Steve LawrenceandEydie Gormé— included in their albumTogether on Broadway(1967)
• TopolandMiriam Karlin—Fiddler on the Roof (Original London Cast)(1969)
• Vera Lynn— included in the albumHits of the 60's — My Way(1970)
• John Gary—RCA Victor45 RPM single47-8479 (1964)
• Juan Pablo Di Pace— Dark Horse LabelDigital Single(2018)
• Sonny Criss—This Is Criss!(1966).
• Timon and Pumbaa—The Lion King 1½(2004).
• John StamosandDave Coulier— onFull House(1987)
• Juan Pablo Di Pace— onFuller House(2018)

As a wedding song

"Sunrise, Sunset" is often played at weddings. In 2011Sheldon Harnickwrote two versions of the song, suitable for same-sex weddings, with minor word changes. For example, for male couples, changes include "When did they grow to be so handsome".