About the book
In You Are My Sunshine, Robert Mann weaves together the birth of country music, Louisiana political history, World War II, and the American civil rights movement to produce a compelling biography of one of the world’s most popular musical compositions. This is the story of a song that, despite its simple, sweet melody and lyrics, holds the weight of history within its chords.
The song’s journey to global fame began in 1939, when two obscure “hillbilly” groups recorded it. By the century’s end, it was a cultural phenomenon covered by hundreds of artists spanning every genre. It entered the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry in 2012.
At the center of this story is Jimmie Davis, who capitalized on his country music stardom to win two terms as Louisiana’s governor. In 1940, Davis became the third artist to record “Sunshine,” after he bought it and claimed it as his composition. The song became his anthem and a staple of his political rallies, radiating warmth and wholesomeness. Its sunny tune encouraged listeners to forget Davis’s earlier recording career, marked by risqué blues recordings that clashed with the upright, gospel-singing image he later cultivated. As “You Are My Sunshine” grew in popularity, so did its link to Louisiana’s “singing governor.” In 1977, the Louisiana Legislature made it a state song.
In this biography, equal parts the story of Davis and the odyssey of his song, we discover that “Sunshine” shaped the early rise of country music but became tangled in Davis’s pro-segregation policies, briefly overshadowing its legacy. You Are My Sunshine explores the song’s contested origins, its rise to legendary status, and its ongoing resonance with millions. This is more than the story of a simple song; it’s a biography of a cultural icon, enduring and ubiquitous as sunshine itself.
Editions of You Are My Sunshine
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807183502
- PDF
- ISBN 9780807183854
Read an Excerpt
In You Are My Sunshine, Robert Mann weaves together the birth of country music, Louisiana political history, World War II, and the American civil rights movement to produce a compelling biography of one of the world’s most popular musical compositions. This is the story of a song that, despite its simple, sweet melody and lyrics, holds the weight of history within its chords.
The song’s journey to global fame began in 1939, when two obscure “hillbilly” groups recorded it. By the century’s end, it was a cultural phenomenon covered by hundreds of artists spanning every genre. It entered the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry in 2012.
At the center of this story is Jimmie Davis, who capitalized on his country music stardom to win two terms as Louisiana’s governor. In 1940, Davis became the third artist to record “Sunshine,” after he bought it and claimed it as his composition. The song became his anthem and a staple of his political rallies, radiating warmth and wholesomeness. Its sunny tune encouraged listeners to forget Davis’s earlier recording career, marked by risqué blues recordings that clashed with the upright, gospel-singing image he later cultivated. As “You Are My Sunshine” grew in popularity, so did its link to Louisiana’s “singing governor.” In 1977, the Louisiana Legislature made it a state song.
In this biography, equal parts the story of Davis and the odyssey of his song, we discover that “Sunshine” shaped the early rise of country music but became tangled in Davis’s pro-segregation policies, briefly overshadowing its legacy. You Are My Sunshine explores the song’s contested origins, its rise to legendary status, and its ongoing resonance with millions. This is more than the story of a simple song; it’s a biography of a cultural icon, enduring and ubiquitous as sunshine itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is You Are My Sunshine about?
In You Are My Sunshine, Robert Mann weaves together the birth of country music, Louisiana political history, World War II, and the American civil rights movement to produce a compelling biography of one of the world’s most popular musical compositions. This is the story of a song that, despite its simple, sweet melody and lyrics, holds the weight of history within its chords.
The song’s journey to global fame began in 1939, when two obscure “hillbilly” groups recorded it. By the century’s end, it was a cultural phenomenon covered by hundreds of artists spanning every genre. It entered the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry in 2012.
At the center of this story is Jimmie Davis, who capitalized on his country music stardom to win two terms as Louisiana’s governor. In 1940, Davis became the third artist to record “Sunshine,” after he bought it and claimed it as his composition. The song became his anthem and a staple of his political rallies, radiating warmth and wholesomeness. Its sunny tune encouraged listeners to forget Davis’s earlier recording career, marked by risqué blues recordings that clashed with the upright, gospel-singing image he later cultivated. As “You Are My Sunshine” grew in popularity, so did its link to Louisiana’s “singing governor.” In 1977, the Louisiana Legislature made it a state song.
In this biography, equal parts the story of Davis and the odyssey of his song, we discover that “Sunshine” shaped the early rise of country music but became tangled in Davis’s pro-segregation policies, briefly overshadowing its legacy. You Are My Sunshine explores the song’s contested origins, its rise to legendary status, and its ongoing resonance with millions. This is more than the story of a simple song; it’s a biography of a cultural icon, enduring and ubiquitous as sunshine itself.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in You Are My Sunshine?
The Arts > Music > Music: styles and genres > Traditional and folk music
Where can I read a sample of You Are My Sunshine?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807183502
How long is You Are My Sunshine and how many pages does it have?
You Are My Sunshine has 217 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book You Are My Sunshine?
Robert Mann
Who is the Publisher of the book You Are My Sunshine?
LSU Press
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
You Are My Sunshine is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807183502) and pdf(ISBN 9780807183854)
Where can I buy You Are My Sunshine online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy You Are My Sunshine from below
Where can I buy You Are My Sunshine?