Open Up Your Heart (And Let the Sunshine In)

"Open up Your Heart (and Let the Sunshine in)" is a popular song. It was written by Stuart Hamblen. The song was published in 1954.

The biggest hit version in the United States was a recording by the Cowboy Church Sunday School (peaking at #8 on the Billboard charts); in the United Kingdom, by Joan Regan and her son Rusty. Another US recording was made by the McGuire Sisters.

When the Cowboy Church Sunday School version is played at normal speed, 45 rpm, the vocal sounds unnaturally high. When played at 33⅓ rpm the vocal sounds more natural. In fact the song was recorded at that speed by Stuart Hamblen's wife and adult daughters, so that when played at 45rpm it sounds as if it is being sung by children.

The version sung by The Cowboy Church Sunday School was featured twice in the John Waters film A Dirty Shame. The song was first used as an angelic juxtaposition to the intolerant concept of NIMBY. It was later used satirically in a scene depicting the religious aspects of 12-step programs.

The melody of the chorus section is identical for its first two measures to the published version of Aloha Oe by Princess Lili`uokalani (1878), and "There's Music In the Air" by George F. Root (1854), and all three share the same chord progression IV-I-V-I.

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