You Are My Sunshine – Traditional, A Cheerful Song with a Surprisingly Dark History

Why this uke classic is perfect for beginners, how knowing the name of uke strings builds confidence, and the surprising story behind its bittersweet lyrics

You’ve probably played You Are My Sunshine at a jam, or maybe you’ve sung it to a child before bedtime. It’s one of the most enduring songs in American music — and one of the easiest for new ukulele players to learn.

But behind its warm and sunny chorus lies a surprisingly sad origin story. And it turns out, this cheerful standard is also the perfect vehicle for learning the name of uke strings and mastering your first few chords.

☀️ It’s Not as Happy as It Sounds

Although widely credited to Jimmie Davis (a former Louisiana governor), You Are My Sunshine was likely written by Paul Rice and purchased by Davis in the late 1930s. The song sounds upbeat — but if you look at the full lyrics, it’s actually about love lost and emotional regret.

That contrast between happy melody and sad meaning is part of what’s made it so relatable for generations — and so fun to reinterpret on ukulele.

🎶 Why It’s a Favorite for Uke Players

• It uses just three chords (C, G7, F) — perfect for beginners

• It’s familiar, which makes it easier to memorize

• It lends itself to singalongs, fingerpicking, or strumming

• You can play it in different styles — traditional, jazzy, country, or swing

Best of all, it helps new players learn where each string is, both visually and by feel.

🪕 Want to learn on something special? Explore our Handcrafted Hawaiian Ukuleles from Top Makers — ideal for beginners ready to fall in love with playing.

🧠 Tip for Beginners: Mastering the Name of Uke Strings

Your ukulele has four strings, usually tuned to G–C–E–A (top to bottom while holding the uke).
Try using a mnemonic like:

Go Catch Elephants Always
or
Good Children Eat Apples

Getting those string names down early makes everything — from tuning to chord building — feel easier and less intimidating.

🔗 Sources

• Smithsonian: Origins of “You Are My Sunshine”

• Library of Congress – Sheet Music Archive

• Ukulele Hunt: “You Are My Sunshine” Chords

• NPR History of the Song