Every time I hear "You Are My Sunshine" played aloud, I hear an "aw!" or see someone gesture in such a way that indicates nostalgia (i.e. hand over heart). I think that that speaks to the huge presence of "You Are My Sunshine" in American culture.
It was interesting to listen to Laura Henton's "Heavenly Sunshine" because many obvious parallels can be drawn between "Heavenly Sunshine" and "You Are My Sunshine" both in tune and lyrics. Henton's gospel voice differs from Jimmie Davis's more jaunty, hillbilly-like singing.
Ollie Gilbert's rendition of "You Are My Sunshine" made me feel slightly uncomfortable - although I could not pinpoint the reason that is. Her tone is distinct, and there is something a bit croak-y about it. You can hear the pain of the Great Depression in her voice; it is raw and unapologetic, not particularly beautiful or melodic, but you can tell that "You Are My Sunshine" means something to her. She is connected to the song, the lyrics, the time.
Unsurprisingly, I really enjoyed Mississippi John Hurt's version. It is far more soothing than Davis's rendition, more melodic. Davis, on the other hand, has one of those voices that just sounds hearty, familiar, and American. His version is the one most of us know and love.
The song was an enormous hit when Davis released it, and it's been embedded in American culture every since. It doesn't surprise me that the song was so popular in the 1940's. The tone is upbeat and catchy, and the lyrics are simple. It's one of those songs that's easy to remember and easy to sing to - the perfect candidate for parents to sing to and with their children.
The lyrics to "You Are My Sunshine" has melancholy undertones that are fitting for the time period. Phrases such as "you have shattered all my dreams" and "if you leave me to love another but you'll regret it all some day" reveal that the song is not literally about sunshine. The singer is singing about a woman he loves, and it is ultimately revealed that she has left him. The bitterness of the lyrics make for a sort of paradox when paired with the jaunty tune in Davis's version. I think that the sadness incorporated into the song only speaks more to the "hope" aesthetic that it inspires in listeners such as myself; people grasp onto hope in times of sorrow, and similarly, the song describes sunshine and love as well as clouds and loss. It speaks to the sadness and happiness often associated with memory and nostalgia.
My depiction of "You Are My Sunshine" is of my sisters and I when we were young. When I hear this song, I am taken back to my mom singing this to my sisters and I in our childhood. The song makes me sad, and it's because of the nostalgia associated with these memories. My sisters, particularly my younger sister, and I were inseparable growing up. When I reached high school, my younger sister started to pull away from me and from my family, isolating herself from everyone who loved and cared about her. She suffered from a crippling, severe depression for about 6 years until today, when I can confidently say that she is on the path to happiness. Regardless, I hear this song and the "sunshine" is my younger sister.
Lyrics:
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
The other night dear, as I lay sleepin'
I dreamed, I held you in my arms
When I awoke dear, I was mistaken
So I hung my head and I cry
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
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
And you have shattered all my dreams
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
I'll always love you and make you happy
If you will only say the same
But if you leave me to love another
But you'll regret it all some day
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
Please don't take my sunshine away
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