Years ago, I bought a recordable book for my oldest siblings on their naming day. The book was “You Are My Sunshine.” I’m sure it was intended for the giver to sing the song, but a recording of me singing is not a gift I’d want to give.
So, I recorded myself reading the book and gave it to them. For years after, my sister would send me or tag me in videos of the kids listening to the book, even the two kids she had later would listen to it and read along.
They played that thing until the battery died. And I couldn’t find a replacement, unfortunately.
You Are My Sunshine … a Tearjerker?
Is It Just A Lullaby?
You Are My Sunshine is almost 100 years old and it’s been covered endlessly by some of the biggest names music has ever had like Bing Crosby and Aretha Franklin.
But have you ever sat and thought about the lyrics? They’re heartbreaking.
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
Whenever I think about this song, I can’t help but get emotional. I’ve felt the sting of unrequited love and missed opportunities for love. This simple melodic tune tugs at my heartstrings so easily. I couldn’t even get through reading it for the recorded book in one go without getting upset. Now, when I hear it, I think about all the people I have lost, and I want to cry.
Can’t Help But Cry
When Jillian James posted a video to TikTok of her young boy asking her to sing this song, she asked why did it want it so much, when it always makes him cry. He was adamant wanting her to sing the precious song, after all, she’d sung it to him every day since he was born. And despite promising he wouldn’t cry, and wanted the song, it didn’t take long for his little bottom lip to quiver and the sobbing began.
And it’s the cutest thing, ever. Poor mum didn’t even get to ‘sunshine’.
I was expecting soft, melancholic sobs from the boy but no.
@jillianjames31 Every single night he asks me to sing “sunshine” but this is also his reaction when I sing it to him… idk what triggers this response but it equally breaks my heart and makes me laugh at the same time 😂 #youaremysunshine #sunshine #son #toddler #mama #momlife ♬ original sound – Jillian James
Just a One-Off?
That was a big cry. I can’t help but wonder why even the name of the song affected him so much. It’s a sweet moment between a mum and her boy, and not the first time she’s recorded them. In another video, where he looks a little younger (to me anyway) she sings the song, and he sings along with her. It’s too cute for words.
@jillianjames31 Replying to @claudia b for some context to our vidoe that blew up, ive been singing this to him every night since he was a newborn, this video is from january when he would sing along with me, the crying just started a couple weeks ago #sunshine ♬ original sound – Jillian James
Why Such Big Tears?
I’ve often wondered how music affects little babies. When I had my first, if I played ‘Rollin’ by Limp Biscuit, they would be happy and drift off to sleep. But if I played Westlife’s ‘Flying Without Wings’ they would tear up.
The first time I saw a baby cry when their mum sang, it was a little girl who welled up with tears as her mum sang ‘My Heart Can’t Tell You No’ by Rod Stewart (or Sara Evans).
Maybe it’s the lilting tone in our voices when we sing to them, maybe they’re reacting to our emotional connection to the song. I’m not an expert. But I’ve just spent a good thirty minutes on TikTok watching babies cry to this song.
Well, almost all of them cried. I rewatched this delightful little boy way more times.
@fireitisme Cute baby 🤩❣️/ you are my sunshine! #sivvfong #foryou ♬ original sound – Fire🔥✨
Have you ever tried to sing to your babies? How did it go? Even though my youngest is now an adult, and I’m not devastated by that, I can’t deny watching videos of adorable babies for ‘research’ hasn’t made me have a stern word to my ovaries when they start thinking a new baby might be fun.
