YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE

‘You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.’

How can a song with simple, endearing words and a pleasant melody evoke such strong memories? In a magical second, you can almost hear the familiar voice of a parent or grandparent singing the song to you. You Are My Sunshine, first recorded during the Great Depression in 1939 by the Pine Ridge Boys, is an American classic. The song grew in popularity nationwide when Bing Crosby and Gene Autry recorded it in 1941. The song has been covered over the years by famous singers including Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, and a six year old  Donny Osmond.  More recent versions include one by children's' entertainer Elizabeth Mitchell, actor/singer Will Smith, and television versions for episodes of The Simpsons and Sons of Anarchy. There are other versions shared on YouTube including a senior couple and an adorable baby. Of course, YouTube has even more versions of Sunshine from people of all ages. Sunshine is even the Louisiana State Song! 

 ‘You make it happy when skies are gray.’

When I’m at the store and see someone gazing at the array of our ‘Sunshine’ wooden signs, I often get a glimpse into how much the song means. Everyone has a personal connection. Sometimes they sing softly to themselves, some have tears in their eyes, and others stand there with a big smile. Each time anyone buys a Sunshine sign, I smile too, knowing they’re remembering wonderful moments and creating new memories.

‘You’ll never know dear, how much I love you.’

Recently, a young woman dropped by the store to choose her Sunshine sign. She explained that she was a little girl when her mother passed away. Her grandmother used to sing the Sunshine song to her and tell her stories about her mom.  She said being at Country Marketplace and seeing the sign reminded her of the two important women in her life. I was so touched she shared her story with me.

The words are seemingly simple-- but they’re not. The lyrics are splendid and very  powerful. They complement the music so well that it creates a harmonious effect. In an instant, our senses are awakened because our memories radiate sight &  sound.  It’s an orchestration: magical word choice meets extraordinary word  placement meets wonderful music. For example: inserting the word ‘please’ in the  final lines. It is a loving appeal...a plea to keep the love everlasting. The song  accomplishes this for so many of us. Whether it’s cerebral, emotional, or  something else-- the moment is very special. It may bring a smile or a tear.   When it happens, it can also feel like a soft, warm hug.

‘Please don’t take my sunshine away.’

A soft-spoken, good-natured cotton mill worker named Oliver Hood of LaGrange, Georgia is said to have written Sunshine in the early 1930s.  Without any formal education, he was a master of the mandolin, a popular music teacher, an a local radio show host. His front porch was a favorite gathering place for local musicians every Sunday afternoon and he wrote hundreds of songs. According to family members, he wrote Sunshine on the back of a brown paper sack and sang it for the first time through a megaphone out a hotel window in 1933 at a VFW convention.  He sang twenty verses of Sunshine that day. Oliver never thought to copyright his song and lost his chance at fame and fortune.  In 1957 he wrote another song “Somebody Stole My Sunshine Away” at the urging of his sons.  The song was set to be recorded in 1959 by a country western band, but a suspicious Oliver refused to sign the contract.  Sadly he passed away before his sequel to Sunshine was recorded. 

The lyrics of  "You Are My Sunshine"  remind me how powerful words can be, flooding us with emotion whether printed on a page, an email, a text, or printed on a wooden sign.  You Are My Sunshine is that unique combination of words and music that has a special place in everyone’s heart. Do you have a You Are My Sunshine story? Or a song that forever plays in your heart? Would you share it with us?  (thecountrymarketplace@gmail.com)