Gene Autry - You Are My Sunshine Lyrics (2024)

PDF Playlist

Gene Autry

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.more »


Year:
2010
2:26
118,093Views
Playlists:
#35

');var c=function(){cf.showAsyncAd(opts)};if(window.cf)c();else{cf_async=!0;var r=document.createElement("script"),s=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];r.async=!0;r.src="https://srv.clickfuse.com/showads/showad.js";r.readyState?r.onreadystatechange=function(){if("loaded"==r.readyState||"complete"==r.readyState)r.onreadystatechange=null,c()}:r.onload=c;s.parentNode.insertBefore(r,s)};})();

Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine You make me happy when skies are greyYou'll never know dear, how much I love youPlease don't take my sunshine awayThe other night dear, as I lay sleepingI dreamed I held you in my armsWhen I awoke, dear, I was mistakenAnd I hung my head and criedYou are my sunshine, my only sunshineYou make me happy when skies are greyYou'll never know dear, how much I love youPlease don't take my sunshine awayI'll always love you and make you happyIf you will only say the sameBut if you leave me to love anotherYou'll regret it all some dayYou are my sunshine, my only sunshineYou make me happy when skies are greyYou'll never know dear, how much I love youPlease don't take my sunshine awayYou told me once dear, you really loved meAnd no one else dear, could come betweenBut now you've left me and love anotherYou have shattered all my dreamsYou are my sunshine, my only sunshineYou make me happy when skies are greyYou'll never know dear, how much I love youPlease don't take my sunshine away

The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

');var c=function(){cf.showAsyncAd(opts)};if(window.cf)c();else{cf_async=!0;var r=document.createElement("script"),s=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];r.async=!0;r.src="https://srv.clickfuse.com/showads/showad.js";r.readyState?r.onreadystatechange=function(){if("loaded"==r.readyState||"complete"==r.readyState)r.onreadystatechange=null,c()}:r.onload=c;s.parentNode.insertBefore(r,s)};})();

Gene Autry

Orvon Grover Autry (September 29, 1907 – October 2, 1998), better known as Gene Autry, was an American performer who gained fame as a singing cowboy on the radio, in movies, and on television for more than three decades beginning in the early 1930s. Autry was also owner of a television station, several radio stations in Southern California, and the Los Angeles/California/Anaheim Angels Major League Baseball team from 1961 to 1997. more »

7 fans

Genre »

Style »

Country

Sheet Music PDF Playlist

Written by: EUVIN SPENCER

Lyrics © SUELION MUSIC

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.

more »

Gene Autry - You Are My Sunshine Lyrics (2024)

FAQs

What is the true meaning of the song "You Are My Sunshine"? ›

(See later in this post for my theory about this.) “You Are My Sunshine” is often called “heartwarming”, but a close look at the lyrics after the first verse shows that they're better described as “heartbreaking”. It's about unrequited love. This song has enjoyed enduring popularity for nine decades.

Why is the song "You Are My Sunshine" so sad? ›

Those high, keening, two-part Appalachian harmonies could make anything sound sad, of course, but the lyrics offer no succour: “I've always loved you and made you happy/And nothing else could come between/But now you've left me, to love another/You have shattered all of my dreams.”

Who had the biggest hit with You Are My Sunshine? ›

One of the classic country songs of all time, Jimmie Davis' “You Are My Sunshine” burst the then-narrow bounds of that genre at a time (1940) when such crossover hits were virtually unprecedented, paving the way over the next few years for songs like “New San Antonio Rose,” “Pistol Packing Mama,” and “There's A Star ...

Who actually wrote You Are My Sunshine? ›

Uless Charles Mitchell (April 1, 1904 – December 27, 1972) was a songwriter, best known as a collaborator with Jimmie Davis. Davis's best-known composition, "You Are My Sunshine", published in 1939 was co-written by Mitchell.

Is "You Are My Sunshine" a happy song? ›

Despite its seemingly upbeat melody, the song harbors a deep-seated melancholy. The lines “I dreamed I held you in my arms / When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken” reveal a story of love lost, a narrative of longing and heartbreak.

Is "You Are My Sunshine" a dark song? ›

If you've ever read the lyrics to this sunshine song, it's not meant to be a happy song at ALL. It's about betrayal, loss, and loneliness. I adjusted the lyrics a little bit more in my own way just to kinda drive that point home.

What is the saddest song in the universe? ›

The 10 saddest songs in the world – an emotional review
  • #1 “Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M.
  • #2 “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion.
  • #3 “I Will Remember You” by Sarah McLachlan.
  • #4 “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton.
  • #5 “Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley.
  • #6 “Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime” by The Korgis.
Feb 1, 2023

What is the meaning of the metaphor "You are my sunshine"? ›

So when you say somebody is your sunshine, what you are really saying is the person makes you feel warm, or brings light to your life, and puts you in a better mood. This is one of the most basic and powerful forms of figurative language.

Who sings "You are my sunshine the best"? ›

The legendary Ray Charles transformed “You Are My Sunshine” into a jazzy, soul-infused masterpiece. With his velvety vocals and heartfelt interpretation, Charles captivated listeners, leaving an indelible mark on the song's history.

Why is everyone singing "You are my sunshine"? ›

The trend features videos of fans in the crowd singing "You Are My Sunshine," poking fun at the extremes of fandom surrounding the basketball legend. By adding singing over videos and pictures of LeBron James, TikTok users sought to exaggerate the adoration for James to the point of parody.

Is the song "You Are My Sunshine" about a horse? ›

Long about 1944, Davis decided to run for governor of Louisiana. He used the song during his campaign, and there are even references to Davis having a horse he named “Sunshine” that would stroll beside the well-loved songwriter and wannabe governor as he stumped along the back roads of the very rural state.

Is the phrase "You are my sunshine" copyrighted? ›

“You Are My Sunshine” was written by two-term Louisiana Governor Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell in 1940. That means it's in copyright in the U.S. until the year 2035. The copyright term for works created before 1978 is 95 years. You can also check the copyright notice on printed copies.

Who is the original singer of You Are the Sunshine of My Life? ›

“You Are the Sunshine of My Life” (1972) by Stevie Wonder was first released 10/28/1972 on the album “Talking Book”. Jim Gilstrap sang the first two lines; Lani Groves sang the following two lines; the two of them then sang backup on the rest of the song.

Is "You Are My Sunshine" a folk song? ›

You are my sunshine: The recorded lineage of an American folk song | Musicological Explorations.

Why did Paul Rice write You Are My Sunshine? ›

Where I got the idea for it, a girl over in South Carolina wrote me this long letter—it was long about seventeen pages. And she was talking about how I was her sunshine. I got the idea for the song and put a tune to it." According to Rice, "At least 20 people claimed to have written 'You Are My Sunshine'.

Why did Carl sing You Are My Sunshine? ›

As part of paying off his "debt" to him, Negan asks Carl to sing to him, and Carl weakly sings "You Are My Sunshine". This leads to Carl explaining how he had to shoot his mother to prevent her from turning.

What does you are the sunshine of my life mean? ›

Saying someone's the literal sunshine of your life means you can't live without them.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Fredrick Kertzmann

Last Updated:

Views: 6381

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Fredrick Kertzmann

Birthday: 2000-04-29

Address: Apt. 203 613 Huels Gateway, Ralphtown, LA 40204

Phone: +2135150832870

Job: Regional Design Producer

Hobby: Nordic skating, Lacemaking, Mountain biking, Rowing, Gardening, Water sports, role-playing games

Introduction: My name is Fredrick Kertzmann, I am a gleaming, encouraging, inexpensive, thankful, tender, quaint, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.