You Are My Sunshine

Victor Young & His Orchestra, Bing Crosby

About You Are My Sunshine

"You Are My Sunshine" is a song popularized by Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell in 1939. It has been declared one of the state songs of Louisiana because of its association with Davis, a country music singer and governor of the state in the years 1944–1948 and 1960–1964. The song has been covered numerous times — so often, in fact, that it is "one of the most commercially programmed numbers in American popular music." The song, originally country music, has "virtually lost" its original country music identity, and "represent[s] both the national flowering of country music and its eventual absorption into the mainstream of American popular culture. " In 1941, it was covered by Gene Autry, Bing Crosby, Mississippi John Hurt, Wayne King and Lawrence Welk. The versions by Autry, Crosby, and King reached the US charts of the day. In subsequent years, it was covered by Doris Day (1951), Nat King Cole (1955), The Marcels (1961), Ray Charles (1962), Ike & Tina Turner, The Rivingtons (1962), Andy Williams (1963), Burl Ives (1968), Frank Turner, The Beach Boys, Aretha Franklin, Anne Murray (1979), Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Norman Blake , Brian Wilson, Mouse and the Traps, Gene Vincent, Jamey Johnson, Low, Mose Allison, Bryan Ferry, Carly Simon, Yusuf Islam, Copeland, Johnny and the Hurricanes, and Barbra Lica (2012), amongst many others. The 1940 version by Davis has been added to the National Recording Registry in the Library of Congress on March 21, 2013, for long-term preservation. Virginia Shehee, a long-time Davis family friend and member of the Louisiana State Senate from 1976 to 1980, introduced legislation to make "You Are My Sunshine" the official state song. 


Year:
2011
2:37
41 

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The other night dear as I laid sleeping I dreamed I held you in my arms
When I awoke dear I was mistaken and I hung my head and cry
You are my sunshine my only sunshine you make me happy when skies're grey
You'll never know dear how much I love you please don't take my sunshine away
[ steel ]
You told me once dear you really loved me and no one else could come between
But now you've left me and you love another you have shatered all my dreams
You are my sunshine...

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Bing Crosby

Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation. more »

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Written by: Jimmie Davis

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


17 facts about this song

Song Origin
"You Are My Sunshine" is one of the most well-known songs in the world, first recorded by Jimmie Davis in 1940.
Authorship Controversy
Although Jimmie Davis bought the rights to the song and is often cited as one of the composers along with Charles Mitchell, there is ongoing controversy about who originally wrote the song.
Cover Versions
In the 80 years since it was first recorded, the song has been covered by a wide variety of artists spanning many musical genres.
Ray Charles Version
Ray Charles' version of the song, released on his 1962 album "Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music", was the first significant cover version and reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100.
Gene Autry Version
Cowboy actor and musician Gene Autry also had a popular version of the song in the early 1940s.
Country Music
The song has been adopted by the country music community and has been covered by numerous artists in the genre, including Johnny Cash.
Rock and Roll
It's not just country artists who have covered "You Are My Sunshine". Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Chuck Berry has also recorded a version, as did rockabilly artist Gene Vincent.
Rhythm and Blues
Some of the giants of R&B music, including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Ike & Tina Turner, have all covered "You Are My Sunshine".
Pop Music
The song has also made its way into pop music, with artists like Bing Crosby and Doris Day covering it.
Folk Music
Folk artists like Yusuf Islam (formerly known as Cat Stevens) and Mississippi John Hurt have given their own unique takes on "You Are My Sunshine".
Jazz Music
Jazz pianist and singer Mose Allison has also covered "You Are My Sunshine".
Soft Rock
Renowned soft rock artist Carly Simon recorded her version of the song on her 2008 album "This Kind of Love".
State Song
"You Are My Sunshine" has been designated one of Louisiana's state songs, because of Jimmie Davis, who served two non-consecutive terms as the state's governor.
Worldwide Appeal
The song has been translated into other languages and remains a standard in the repertoires of many musicians around the world.
Bing Crosby Version
Bing Crosby recorded this song in 1941 with Victor Young and His Orchestra.
Jerry Lee Lewis Version
Famous pianist Jerry Lee Lewis recorded his version of "You Are My Sunshine" in 1972.
Bryan Ferry Version
Bryan Ferry, frontman of the rock band Roxy Music, also has his version of this famous song.

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