You Are My Sunshine

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You Are My Sunshine is a song of old-time music and later country music from 1939, which became an evergreen across all styles .

History of origin

Rice Brothers Gang - You Are My Sunshine

The authorship of You Are My Sunshine is controversial. What is certain is that the original recording was made by the Pine Ridge Boys. The duo consisting of Marvin Taylor and Douglas Spivey was not the author of the song, but Paul Rice wrote it in 1937. Rice was with his brother Hoke Rice a member of the Rice Brothers Gang, which did not record the song until three weeks later. A 1956 article in the Shreveport Times affirmed that Paul Rice was the composer. The politically influential Jimmie Davis called the KWKH radio station in 1939 to get in touch with Paul Rice. His wife was sick so he needed money. The future governor of Louisiana , Jimmie Davies (born September 11, 1899, † November 5, 2001) acquired the rights from Paul Rice under a contract dated December 16, 1939 for $ 35. According to the contract, "Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell are listed as authors of the aforementioned composition ..." The specialist literature agrees that Jimmie Davis bought the composition from Rice for $ 35. On January 30, 1940 You Are My Sunshine by music publisher filed a copyright for the copywriter Jimmie Davis with composer Charles Mitchell Southern Music Publishing Inc.. Davis, who also made records since December 4, 1928, sang You Are My Sunshine during his election rallies in 1944 when he rode a horse called "Sunshine". He was Governor of Louisiana from 1944–1948 and 1960–1964.

In the text, the protagonist speaks of his lover as sunshine, who makes him happy even when the sky is gray, and asks her not to take away the sunshine. Since no further specification was made, the text also made it possible to interpret it as a children's song .

Rice, in turn, had Oliver Hood in his band, who also claims to have been a composer. In addition, an indication against Davis is that he was not the first to record the song. Charles Mitchell, in turn, was Jimmie Davis' steel guitarist in the recording sessions.

Publication and Success

Johnny & The Hurricanes - You Are My Sunshine

The Pine Ridge Boys recorded You Are My Sunshine in their very first recording session on August 22, 1939. The single You Are My Sunshine / Farther Along ( Bluebird Records 8263) was released by the Pine Ridge Boys in September 1939 , but this did not make it into the charts . Tex Ritter sang it in the movie Take Me Back to Oklahoma (US premiere: November 11, 1940). Only subsequent cover versions were able to occupy middle ranks of the charts. Nevertheless, the Billboard magazine rated You Are My Sunshine early on as the “pub and bar classic of 1941”.

Since 1977, You Are My Sunshine has been one of the two official state anthems of Louisiana under Act 540 . He ranks 14th in the Songs of the Century .

Cover versions

Ray Charles - You Are My Sunshine

With at least 350 cover versions , the song is one of the most covered songs. The Rice Brothers Gang was followed by Bob Atcher (January 17, 1940) with the best-selling version, Jimmie Davis (February 5, 1940; Charles Mitchell is listed in the cast as a steel guitarist) and Will Carter ( Montana Slim ; April 4, 1940). Only Wayne King (September 4, 1940) was able to penetrate his version to 20th place on the US charts. This was followed by the Airport Boys (September 30, 1940), Lawrence Welk (March 26, 1941), Gene Autry (June 18, 1941; rank 23), Bing Crosby (July 8, 1941; rank 19), Doris Day (5. September 1950), Erroll Garner (27 July 1954), Nat King Cole (27 August 1955), Bill Haley (7 January 1960), Rick Nelson (April 12-13, 1960), a. Up tempo - instrumental version offer Johnny & The Hurricanes (October 1960; Rank 91).

The best placement of all versions went to Ray Charles (September 5, 1962, producer: Sid Feller). With his soul-oriented big band version he reached position 7 in the pop charts and even took first place in the rhythm and blues hit parade for 3 weeks . This was followed by Gene Vincent (March 16, 1964; Olympic Studios , London), Mitch Ryder (October 1967; producer: Bob Crewe ), Johnny Cash (February 18, 1969 with Bob Dylan & Carl Perkins : guitars) or Jerry Lee Lewis (6 September 1957; LP Ole Tyme Country Music , released 1970; Remake : December 15, 1977).

Individual evidence

  1. Patrick Huber, Linthead Stomp , 2008, p. 24
  2. ^ Heritage Auctions Inc., Auction Catalog # 7004 , February 2009, p. 128
  3. ^ Ace Collins, Music For Your Heart , 2013, p. 16 f.
  4. Wayne W. Daniel, Pickin 'On Peachtree , 2000, pp. 149 f.
  5. Billboard Magazine No. 34, August 30, 1941, p. 13
  6. Cary Ginell / Kevin Coffey, Discography of Western Swing and Hot String Bands 1928-1942 , 2001, p. 36