I Can See Clearly Now


"I Can See Clearly Now" is a song originally recorded by Johnny Nash. It was a single from the album of the same name and achieved success in the United States and the United Kingdom when it was released in 1972, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box charts. It has been covered by many artists throughout the years, including a hit version by Lee Towers where it reached the top 20 in 1982 charting at No. 19 and another hit version in 1993 by Jimmy Cliff, who re-recorded the song for the motion picture soundtrack of Cool Runnings, where it also reached the top 20 at No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Writing and recording

After Nash wrote and composed the original version, he recorded it in London with members of the Fabulous Five Inc., and produced it himself. Its arrangements and style are both heavily laced with reggae influences. Nash had collaborated with Bob Marley in the past, and his approach drew strongly from Marley's reggae style.

Track listings

7" single
  1. "I Can See Clearly Now" – 2:44
  2. "How Good It Is" – 2:38
7" single
  1. "I Can See Clearly Now" – 2:44
  2. "Cupid" – 3:30

    Chart performance

After making modest chart advances for a month, the RIAA-certified gold single unexpectedly took only two weeks to vault from No. 20 to No. 5 to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on November 4, 1972, remaining atop this chart for four weeks, and also spent the same four weeks atop the adult contemporary chart.

Weekly singles charts

Chart Peak
position
UK Singles Chart54

Year-end charts

All-time charts

Certifications

Jimmy Cliff version

singer Jimmy Cliff recorded a cover of the song for the 1993 movie Cool Runnings. It was released as a single in 1993, reaching No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was Cliff's first single to make the Hot 100 in 25 years, and is his highest-charting single in the United States. The song reached No. 1 in France, Iceland and New Zealand. The music video for this version was directed by Academy Award nominated film director, Scott Hamilton Kennedy.

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Sales and certifications

Other covers

The song has been covered by many artists. Among the most notable versions are:
In November 2016, the aforementioned cover version of the song by the Hothouse Flowers from 1990 was featured in the premiere episode of British Motoring show, The Grand Tour, causing the song to reach the number 1 position on the iTunes's Top 40 UK Rock Song chart in late 2016.