An intense, aching portrait of longing and the desperate wait for dawn after a fleeting moment of connection.
To truly appreciate “Where Is The Morning,” you must first remember the incandescent, almost feverish height of David Cassidy’s celebrity. This track, a deep-cut gem for many casual fans, is drawn from his first major solo album, Cherish, released in 1972. The album itself was an undeniable chart force, a testament to his global dominance as a teen idol. It soared to Number 15 on the US Billboard 200 and, more spectacularly, peaked at Number 2 on the UK Albums Chart, staying on the charts for nearly half a year. “Where Is The Morning” rode this wave of mass popularity, a quieter, introspective moment nestled among the massive hits “Cherish” and “Could It Be Forever.” While the song was not released as a commercial single, its presence on such a high-charting, multi-million-selling album ensured it became a cherished track for the legions of fans who bought every record David Cassidy put out.
The story behind this song is not one of dramatic rock-star revelation, but one that speaks directly to the universal experience of consuming, impatient youth. Written by Adam Miller, the song captures that timeless feeling of infatuation and desperate yearning that makes time grind to a halt. The narrative is simple but intensely relatable: the narrator has just had a profound, albeit brief, encounter with someone he instantly connects with—a smile, a few shared words—and they have agreed to meet again at daybreak. The meaning of the song lies entirely in the agonizing, sleepless wait for the sun to rise.
The lyrics perfectly convey this hyper-focus on time’s refusal to move: “I can’t sleep tonight / I found someone… I’ll wait for you at dawn / If this night will only pass. But the clock hands refuse to move / It’s dark inside my room / It must be daylight soon / Where is the morning?” For many older readers who remember the sweet agony of waiting for a call, a letter, or a sunrise rendezvous, the song is a powerful time machine. It pulls you back to those hours in a darkened room where the silence felt deafening and the shadows seemed to mock your impatience.
David Cassidy’s vocal performance here is key. Stripping away the big orchestral arrangements of his more famous singles, this track is primarily driven by a beautiful, sorrowful piano and his voice, which sounds almost fragile and intensely lonely, perfectly channeling the restless anxiety of a young heart consumed by new love. It’s the sound of a star, often trapped in the whirlwind of media and fan frenzy, finding a brief, genuine moment to sing about simple, unadulterated human feeling. “Where Is The Morning” remains one of his most deeply felt recordings, a quiet, emotional anchor in a discography often defined by bubblegum pop, and a truly nostalgic reminder of how profound a single night can feel when your whole world is waiting for the dawn.